Chapter 395
Aria could voo his face every time she lowered her eyes , and she knew he was angry on her behall .
Finally , Deen dug the bullet out .
He stitched the wound , stopped the bleeding , and started to wrap
Bat she was still wearing the blood soaked T- shirt . It would only get in the way of cleaning and bandaging .
After a beat , Aria said quietly , “ Just tut the shirt off . I’ll need to change anyway . ”
When Aria said it , her expression barely shifted her tone so calm and matter of fact , it was like she was talking about something as ordinary as pouring a glass of water .
Owen glanced up , catching that chill steadiness in her eyes . In that moment , she was like an untouchable queen , utterly composed and unbothered by the chaos around her.
No matter how many admirers flocked nearby , she remained unmoved , untouched , simply because she didn’t care .
But Owen had no time for such thoughts . All he could see was Aria’s wound .
He picked up the scissors and said quietly . “ Let me cut away the fabric on your shoulder so I can wrap this up . ”
“ Alright , ” Aria
replied .
Her shoulder was soaked in blood , sticky and uncomfortable .
She hesitated , then looked at Owen and asked , almost testing , “ Could I wash up a little first ? ”
Owen didn’t even glance at her . “ No. ”
“ What about just a wipe – down ? ” she pushed ,
He stayed silent until he’d finished cutting away the shirt , then finally said , “ Fine , ” and stood up .
Aria’s lips curled in a faint smile . “ There are clean towels under the bathroom sink , and the green basin is clean too . ”
Without hesitation , Owen headed straight for the bathroom .
Watching his hurried back , Aria felt an unexpected warmth bloom in her chest .
Back in the Solemnity Guild , there was nothing but rivalry and isolation .
She’d always tended her own wounds .
But tonight , someone actually cared enough to help . If Vanessa or Chloe were here , they’d worry about her too , but that would just be friendship .
With Owen , though … after yesterday , she knew what he felt for her . It wasn’t just friendship
That knowledge made her feelings complicated
Owen returned quickly with hot water , setting it on the floor and wringing out a towel before sitting in front of her . “ I’ll be as gue as I can . If it hurts , tell me , alright ? ”
Aria nodded . “ Okay ”
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Owen confully wiped the blood from her skin .
As the fabric was cut away , a bloodstained bra came into view
He kept his eyes oed on her shoulder , pointedly not looking anywhere else .
Then he hesitated an If wanting to say something . “ You … ”
Ana glanced up , puzzled . “ What is it ? ”
He remembered that Vanessa was probably nearby , so he swallowed whatever he was about to say “ Nothing ”
Aria looked down , noticing her bra was a mess , and couldn’t help but laugh softly . “ Pelax , can change the rest myself ”
Owen didn’t reply , just focused on gently cleaning her shoulder , his face lening with embarrassment .
He kept his head down , refusing to meet her gaze .
Worried he’d tug on the wound , he wiped so slowly , so delicately , his hand practically trembling
But even with his head bowed , Aria could still see the flush burning in his cheeks.
She looked away , a tiny smile playing on her lips . For a guy in his twenties , Owen’s kind of endearingly shy !
Once the blood was cleaned off , Owen grabbed a fresh roll of sterile gauze . Till start bandaging now
“ Go ahead .”
He knelt on one knee on the sofa for easier access , and as he wrapped the gauze around her shoulder , he caught a glimpse of the mass of scars stretching across her back .
He knew the story – how a seven year – old girl had nearly died in a fire , the insurance scam , her narrow escape .
But he’d never realized how severe her injuries had been .
Seeing the scars now , he wondered how she’d survived it at all .
The ache in his chest was almost physical .
Suddenly , Aria felt something warm land on her shoulder . She looked up instinctively , then realized that Owen was crying .
Snapping out of it , Owen continued to wrap her arm , careful and gentle .
The steady rhythm of his hands pulled Aria out of her thoughts .
When he finished , Owen wiped at the corner of his eye , trying to hide the evidence . “ All done . ”
“ Thanks , ” Aria said quietly
She glanced down at herself , with her tattered clothes , she looked like a beggar .
Standing up , she said , “ I’m going to change . ”
Owen nodded . “ I’ll wait here . If you need help ,
He caught himself , suddenly realizing what be’d almost offered
Aria tilted her head at him , a teasing glint in her eyes . “ If I need help , then what ? ”
09:52 FM , 20 Jun
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She locked pale from blood loss , but her smile was dazzling
Is she flirting with me ? Owen wondered , a shock of hope flickering in his eyes
Aria was never the type to flirt not with fiends , not like this ,
But before he could respond , Arla was already walking away , throwing back over her shoulder , “ Thanks for tonight Tran handle i
ilt ineant he could ge
The ruined shirt barely clung to her , and as she left , most of her back was exposed to the air .
Owen looked once , then quickly averted his eyes .
He listened for the door to click shut behind her . That final
left a flatter of hope in his heart – then dashed it
Owen didn’t leave . He ordered food and started cleaning up the mess on the floor .
Meanwhile , Aria stood in front of the vanity mirror , taking in her own battered reflection , Owen’s hands still vivid in her mind .
She hadn’t noticed it before , but now it struck her – just how messy everything was , and how exposed she’d been
Glancing
ng down , she caught sight of the awkward bulge at her chest . “Wait , did Owen see that ? ‘
She shook her head – between tending her wounds and his embarrassment , he hadn’t noticed a thing , other than her scars .
She looked up and watched as her cheeks flushed in the mirror .
With a deep breath , she peeled off the shredded shirt , pulled out a padded sleep top ,
Unhooking was easy , but fastening a bra with one hand was impossible .
She’d have to be careful for a while – not to pull at the wound .
Once dressed , she popped two painkillers , then stepped out .
ing on the couch . At the sound of the door , he looked up
Owen was sitting on
and struggled to pull it on one – handed .
Aria’s face immediately warmed , but she tried to keep her voice steady , “ You’re still here ! ”
Owen nodded . “ You need to eat .”
She blinked , puzzled , then realized that he meant she needed to replenish her blood . “ I took some medicine , ” she said .
“ Lordered food , ”
“ Owen replied . “ I’ll leave after you eat .
He’d lived in Kanit City long enough to know where to get real food , the kind that helps you heal . He’d picked the best dishes for her
Aria was suddenly aware of how hungry she was , so the just sat across from him on the couch .
The moment she glanced up and met his eyes , her heart did a little flip .
Just then , a thought struck her . “ What was that warm drop that landed on my shoulder earlier ? ‘
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