Darkness pressed softly against the room, thick and quiet, broken only by Aria’s shallow breathing as she slowly regained awareness, her mind foggy and uncertain. She shifted on the bed, her brows furrowing in confusion, feeling the softness of the mattress and sensing something was wrong. Her fingers curled into the sheets as her eyes fluttered open, blinking against the dimness, feeling vulnerable and lost.
For a moment, she didn’t move. Her mind felt slow… heavy… like it was catching up to something it didn’t want to remember. Then she pushed herself up, sitting on the bed carefully.
“Ryan…?”
Her voice came out quiet, uncertain. No answer. The silence around her felt wrong.
Her eyes moved across the room, trying to make sense of where she was. The walls were unfamiliar. The air felt different. Her heart began to beat faster.
Then—the door opened.
The sound was soft, but in the silence, it felt loud. Aria’s head turned immediately toward it.
A figure stepped in, calm and unhurried, his movements deliberate. He reached to the side and flipped the switch—
Click.
The lights came on, filling the room. Aria squinted for a second, raising her hand slightly to shield her eyes. Then her vision cleared. And she froze.
“Justin…?”
Her voice was filled with confusion. She stared at him, trying to process what she was seeing.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone shifting between relief and uncertainty. She quickly looked around again, then back at him. “Did Ryan send you to come and get me?”
There was a flicker of hope in her expression now.
Justin didn’t answer immediately. He stood there, watching her, his hands casually slipping into his pockets as if he had been expecting this exact moment.
Then slowly… he smiled. Not warm. Not kind. Something cold and dangerous flickered in his expression, sending a shiver down her spine.
“I thought you were smart,” he said, his voice low, almost amused. “My love.”
The words hit differently. Aria’s expression changed instantly. Her brows furrowed as confusion deepened.
“My love?” she repeated, her voice sharper now. She shifted on the bed, sitting straighter, putting a little more distance between them. “What do you mean by that?”
Her tone turned firm. “I’m your cousin’s girlfriend,” she said, her eyes locking onto his. “Don’t call me that.”
Justin didn’t react to the correction. If anything, his smile lingered.
Aria’s chest rose and fell faster now as uneasiness crept in. “And please…” she added quickly, her voice softening slightly as she tried to stay calm, “I really need to go back home. Ryan must be worried… he must be going crazy looking for me.”
Justin let out a quiet breath, his head tilting slightly as if he found her concern… interesting. Then he took a step closer.
“No.”
The word was simple. Flat. Final.
Aria’s body stilled. Her fingers tightened against the sheets.
Justin took another step. “You’re not going anywhere,” he continued calmly, his gaze never leaving her face.
Aria’s heartbeat picked up instantly. She shook her head slightly. “What…?” Her voice came out smaller now. Confused. Uneasy.
Justin stopped in front of her, close enough that she could feel the shift in the air between them. “You’re mine now, Aria,” he said, his tone lowering, becoming more deliberate.
The words landed heavily. Her breath caught. Her eyes widened. She instinctively moved back on the bed, putting space between them.
“No…” she whispered, shaking her head. “You’re insane.” Her voice trembled, but there was still defiance in it. “You can’t do this.”
Justin’s expression didn’t change. Didn’t soften. “I already did,” he replied quietly.
Aria’s gaze darted toward the door for a split second before returning to him. Her mind raced, searching for a way out, for something that made sense.
“Ryan is going to find me,” she said quickly, her voice stronger now as she held onto that thought. “He won’t stop until he does.”
Justin’s lips curved again, a faint smile forming as he watched her cling to that belief. “I know,” he said. A pause. His eyes darkened slightly. “That’s the point.”
Aria’s stomach dropped. Her hands clenched tightly into fists. Fear settled deeper now, mixing with anger and disbelief.
“You’re sick,” she said under her breath.
Justin didn’t deny it. Didn’t argue. He looked at her—calm, certain, like everything was exactly how he wanted it. And like she wasn’t leaving. Not now. Not anytime soon.
Justin watched her carefully. He didn’t rush his words this time. Didn’t move too close either. Just stood there… calm… in control.
“I know Ryan will find you,” he said slowly, his voice steady. “I’m not stupid enough to take you from him without a plan.”
Aria’s fingers tightened against the bedsheet. Her heart was already racing.
Justin took a step to the side, pacing once like he was thinking through it again. “The last time I had him attacked…” he continued, glancing at her, “…he survived.” He gave a small, almost impressed nod. “But I’m sure he won’t survive this one.”
Aria’s face went pale instantly. Her lips parted slightly. Her breath caught.
“So… it was you?” Her voice came out quiet. Shaken.
Justin looked back at her. A slow smile spread across his face. “Yes… my love. It was me.”
Aria shook her head, disbelief and anger rising together. “Why would you do that?”
Justin stopped in front of her. His eyes locked onto hers. “Because he took you away from me,” he said. A pause. “And I needed to remind him that everything he has… can be taken.”
Aria stared at him, horrified.
Justin exhaled softly, like this was all reasonable to him. “He knows it was me,” he added. “He just didn’t tell you.”
Her brows pulled together. “No… you’re lying.”
Justin tilted his head slightly. “Am I?” He watched her reaction closely. “I’m sure he was already planning revenge,” he continued calmly. “That’s how he is.”
Aria’s chest rose and fell faster. Her thoughts were spinning.
Justin’s voice dropped lower. “That’s why I took you.” A small pause. “So he doesn’t get the chance to come after me.”
Aria’s eyes filled with anger now. “You think this will stop him?” she said, her voice stronger despite the fear.
Justin’s smile faded slightly. Something colder replaced it. “If he tries anything…” he said slowly. He leaned a little closer—close enough to make his words feel heavier. “I’ll take my anger out on you.”
Silence hit the room instantly. Aria froze. Her body went still. Her hands clenched tightly. Fear settled deep in her chest. But her eyes didn’t leave his.
Justin straightened again. Calm. Like he hadn’t just said something dangerous. Like everything was already decided.