Chapter 41

**Chapter 41**

**Aria’s POV**

The film was nearing its conclusion, the credits already teasing the edges of the screen. A quick glance at my watch confirmed my thoughts; it was time to gather Lana into my arms. “Peter should be here by now,” I mused, a slight frown crossing my face as I cradled my daughter closer.

With a sense of anticipation bubbling inside me, I made the decision to step out of the theater, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. As I pushed through the heavy doors, the cool night air washed over me, invigorating yet laced with a hint of anxiety. And there it was—his car, just pulling into the lot, headlights cutting through the darkness.

I felt a flutter of relief as I approached the vehicle. Peter stepped out, his face breaking into a warm smile that instantly eased my worries. “Is Lana sleepy?” he asked softly, his eyes already drawn to the bundle nestled in my arms, her eyelids fluttering gently as if caught in a dream.

I nodded, a tender smile gracing my lips. The warmth of the moment wrapped around us like a comforting blanket. Settling into the back seat, I held Lana protectively, her small frame fitting perfectly against me.

The drive unfolded in a serene silence, the kind that felt both comforting and heavy. I found my gaze wandering out the window, soaking in the landscape as it whizzed by. The night had deepened, the sky a vast expanse of ink, and the trees lining the road cast flickering shadows like specters dancing along the sidewalk.