章 25: Hidden Fires

"I didn't expect you to handle them like that." Dante's voice was soft, but his eyes held a glimmer of pride, mixed with a darker, unspoken intensity.

Aria shrugged, her gaze fixed on the passing lights through the car window. "I guess they underestimate what I'm capable of."

His fingers tightened subtly around hers, and though his expression remained composed, she could sense the tension simmering beneath the surface. "Trust me," he murmured, "they're starting to realize you're not one to take lightly."

The hum of the engine was the only sound between them as the city lights gave way to shadows, and the weight of his family's scrutiny faded into the night. But Aria knew this reprieve was temporary. The memory of Damian's mocking words echoed in her mind, a reminder of the hostility she faced now, simply because she'd dared to stand by Dante's side.