Aria's POV
My head snapped toward him. "No."
The answer came too quickly. Noah noticed. His expression became serious. "You don't have to defend him to me."
"That's not what I am doing."
"Then tell me what's wrong, Aria. You look like you are about to fall apart."
I couldn't. How could I tell him that I had nearly strangled my daughter in my sleep? How could I explain the nightmares? The blood? The fear that I was becoming something I didn't recognize?
So I said the only thing I could. "I'm just overwhelmed."
Noah stared at me. "It's because of the wedding, isn't it?"
I was quiet.
Then he sighed. "Whatever happened between you and Damon, you don't have to face it alone, Aria."
"There is nothing between us. I'm just tired."
He didn't believe me. But he didn't push. Instead, he sa
