Chapter 38

**Chapter 38**

**Aria’s POV**

A soft chuckle escaped my lips, a fleeting sound that barely broke the silence, yet it felt heavy with unspoken emotions. “Life is full of surprises,” I remarked, my voice drifting into the stillness like a gentle sigh.

The remainder of our drive was enveloped in a peaceful quiet, punctuated only by the rhythmic sound of Lana’s soft breathing and my almost instinctual murmurs of lullabies. It was as if the melody wrapped around us, soothing not just her, but also easing the weight that had settled deep within me.

When we finally came to a halt, the car veered into a narrow alley, revealing a quaint little house at the end. Its open gate beckoned us forward, and the flickering light from the windows hinted at warmth and welcome.

“It’s an old place, Luna Aria,” Peter admitted, a hint of sheepishness in his tone as he unloaded my suitcase from the trunk. “Hope you don’t mind.”

I smiled, feeling a slight release of the tension in my chest. “Mind? Lana and I should be the ones thanking you for taking us in,” I replied, my voice carrying a genuine warmth.