"Are you serious right now, Aria? You want to live by yourself… away from me?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, his throat tightening as he swallowed hard. His voice carried a mix of disbelief and hurt. "I thought you'd at least allow me to take care of you."
He leaned forward slightly, searching her face. "If we hadn't come to Paris… if you hadn't already secured an apartment before we got here… would you really have gone out of your way to rent one, even knowing I have a house?"
There was a pause before he added, more urgently, "How about this ...I'll refund the money you spent on the apartment. If it's about it going to waste, then let me handle it. Does that count, Aria? Would that make you stay here… with me?"
His eyes softened, almost pleading now.
Aria inhaled slowly, steadying herself before she spoke. "I'm sorry, Ethan… but even if I hadn't rented an apartment beforehand, I still would have gotten one the moment we arrived."
