"You think you've won?" Logan's voice was sharp, cutting through the tense silence like a blade.
Aria froze mid-step, her hand tightening around the strap of her bag. She didn't need to turn around to know he was there; his overwhelming scent, a mixture of arrogance and aggression, filled the hallway.
"I don't think, Logan," she said without looking back. "I know."
His laugh was low, dangerous, echoing in the narrow corridor of the estate. "You haven't changed as much as you think. You're still the same fragile little thing pretending to be strong. I'll prove it to you."
Aria forced herself to remain calm, even as the air grew heavy with tension. She turned slowly, meeting his gaze head-on. The cruel smirk on his face was enough to send a shiver down her spine, but she refused to let him see her falter.
"You can try," she said evenly. "But you'll fail. Just like always."
