Chapter 131 Aria

• I wake up startled, the sound of loud, constant pounding echoing through the lower floor of my new home, reverberating like drums of alarm. For a moment, I’m frozen, my heart racing wildly as I try to discern the source of the noise. Caelum’s voice cuts through the silence, laden with a desperation I rarely hear from him. It spurs me into action, the fear wrapping around me like a suffocating cloak.
• Throwing on a robe, I rush downstairs. The moment I open the door, I’m struck by the expression on Caelum’s face. His eyes, deep and usually filled with strength, are clouded with remorse and a sadness that seems almost tangible.
• “Caelum, what happened? Are the children okay?” I ask, my voice trembling with worry. The words barely escape my lips, and the weight of fear tightens around my chest.