He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 210

Chapter 210

“To file reports about everything that happened.”

Aria studied me for a second.

“Really?”

For reasons I couldn’t explain, that single word made my heartbeat stumble.

“Yes.”

I forced another smile.

“Really.”

She held my gaze for another moment before giving a small nod.

“Okay.”

That was all.

No suspicion.

No follow-up questions.

No strange reaction.

She simply accepted the explanation as though it made perfect sense.

Relief quietly settled over me.

Maybe I really had overthought everything.

Maybe DeLuca’s suspicions, while understandable, had simply collided with terrible timing and unfortunate evidence.

Because sitting here now, looking at Aria smiling across from me, I couldn’t reconcile the image before me with the person who had supposedly orchestrated an attack on the hospital.

She was still…

Aria.

The silence between us returned, though this time it felt easy instead of uncomfortable. I realized I had genuinely missed moments like this, moments where conversation didn’t need to be forced because simply existing in the same room somehow felt enough.

Eventually I smiled.

“So…”

I leaned back slightly.

“Can I get you anything?”

She shook her head immediately.

“No, I’m good.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mhm.”

She patted her stomach dramatically.

“I demolished a massive shawarma before coming here.”

I laughed.

“A shawarma?”

“It was enormous.”

She held her hands apart to exaggerate the size.

“I probably shouldn’t admit how quickly I finished it.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone capable of eating as much as you.”

“That’s because you’ve never challenged me.”

“I don’t think I want to.”

“You don’t.”

She pointed a finger at me.

“You’d lose.”

Another laugh escaped me.

For a little while, everything felt normal again.

Wonderfully, unbelievably normal.

“I’m serious,” she continued with mock pride. “Give me good food and enough determination, and I become an unstoppable force.”

“I’ll make a note never to stand between you and a buffet.”

“Smart decision.”

She nodded approvingly.

“I like intelligent people.”

The laughter slowly faded, leaving behind another comfortable silence.

I smiled to myself.

Maybe this was exactly what I had needed.

Not another conversation about gunmen.

Not another conversation about betrayal.

Just…

My friend.

After several quiet seconds, Aria suddenly tilted her head.

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