Aria inhaled deeply, forcing herself to think. I have my phone now… but that alone isn't enough. I need access. I need freedom to move, to meet people....someone who can actually help me.
"I'm not going to run away," she began, though even she knew how hollow that sounded. She lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes softening just enough to appear sincere. "But am I permitted to go out whenever I want… as long as I'm done with my tasks?"
She tilted her head slightly, a faint, almost hopeful smile forming on her lips.
"I mean… I always allow you to go out too."
I believe it's because I always allow you to go out that you even have the ability to meet with people, Aria thought inwardly as she swallowed hard, her fingers tightening slightly around the phone in her hand.
You going out, meeting people… that's exactly what gave you the opportunity to ruin my family… and even rise to become the new Mafia Lord.
Her chest tightened painfully as the thoughts continued to flood her mind.
I still don't understand why you chose to live in my father's mansion… when you could have easily restored your own father's organization. And even if someone had to take my father's place… it shouldn't have been you.
It should have been someone I trust… someone who actually deserves that role.
Because I never wanted it… I never wanted to become the new leader…
"Accepted."
Damien's voice cut sharply through her thoughts, pulling her back to reality.
Aria's eyes widened instantly, a flicker of excitement lighting up her face. "Really?" she almost blurted, her voice barely containing her relief.
"But…" Damien added, his lips curling into a knowing smirk.
The hope in her eyes wavered
"Whenever you go out, you won't be alone," he continued calmly. "You'll be accompanied by security." He tilted his head slightly, watching her reaction. "I'll assign two guards to you....one male and one female. They'll be keeping an eye on you at all times."
"What?" Aria's brows furrowed as she swallowed hard, her earlier excitement quickly dissolving into unease.
"What?" Damien echoed mockingly, raising an eyebrow. "You're not okay with that?" His smirk deepened. "If that's the case… then you won't be allowed to go out at all."
"I agree!" Aria replied immediately, her voice firm and urgent, not giving him the chance to reconsider. "It's fine. Your two guards can come along with me whenever I go out."
"Good," Damien said simply, clearly satisfied.
"What's your last request?" he asked, glancing briefly at his wrist as if keeping track of time. His tone carried a note of impatience. "Hurry up. I need to leave soon."
Aria hesitated, her thoughts racing. My last request… this has to count. I can't waste it.
"Uhm…" she began, steadying herself before speaking again. "Anything concerning me ....especially my health and other personal matters… I'll handle them myself."
Damien let out a short, amused breath. "Sure. You can do that." His smirk returned, sharper this time. "Besides… you don't get to enjoy the privilege of being attended to by my personal doctors."
Before she could respond, he suddenly stepped closer.
Aria instinctively moved backward, her heart beginning to pound rapidly in her chest. Step by step, she retreated until her back hit the cold wall behind her.
Damien raised both hands and planted them firmly against the wall on either side of her, trapping her in place.
Her breath hitched.
"And you better be careful out there," he added in a low, dangerous tone, leaning slightly closer, "so you don't end up dead too… like your father and your step-sister."
Aria's heart slammed violently against her ribs, fear flooding her entire body.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then, just as suddenly as he had cornered her, Damien straightened and stepped back, creating distance between them again. He slipped a hand into his pocket and pulled something out.
An ATM card.
"Here," he said, grabbing Aria's hand before she could react and placing the card into her palm. "Keep it with you. In case you need to get stuff when you're outside."
"Get stuff?" Aria repeated weakly, raising an eyebrow as she swallowed hard. Her eyes were already red and swollen from the tears she had been holding back, and her body felt so weak she feared she might collapse at any moment. "What kind of stuff?"
"Just keep it," Damien replied dismissively. "You'll know what to get when the time comes. It'll be communicated to you."
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door. He opened it, stepped out, and then closed it behind him....leaving Aria alone in the room.
Silence fell once again.
And this time, she couldn't hold herself together.
Her knees gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.
The tears she had struggled so hard to contain finally broke free, streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks as her chest tightened painfully with each sob.
"I'm so sorry… little ember," Aria murmured under her breath, her voice trembling as she placed a gentle hand over her stomach. "I'm sorry we're stuck here…"
Her fingers trembled slightly as she pressed her palm more firmly against her belly.
"I feel so sorry for you…," she continued softly, her voice breaking. "This isn't what Mommy planned…"
She closed her eyes briefly, taking a shaky breath.
"But don't worry," she whispered, a fragile determination slowly forming beneath her pain. "I'll fix this… I promise I'll fix everything, my love."
After a moment, Aria reached for her phone.
Her hands were still trembling slightly as she powered it on. The screen lit up almost instantly, flooding with notifications messages, missed calls, and breaking news about her family dominating the headlines.
She ignored all of it.
I really hope I still have it… she thought inwardly, her thumb moving quickly across the screen.
Then....
Her gaze landed on a particular contact.
For a brief moment, she simply stared at the name, her heartbeat slowing, then quickening again.
A small, conflicted smile formed on her lips as she tapped on it.
Ghostcode.
A contact she had once sworn never to reach out to.
A connection she had promised herself she would never use.
But now…
It was the only option left.
It's the only one who can save me…
Her hand instinctively moved back to her stomach.
…and the little ember growing inside me.