The call ended. The soft beep echoed in Aria's ears like something final, making her hand tremble uncontrollably as she slowly lowered the phone, her eyes fixed on the screen, expecting it to light up again, hoping for his call back.
But it didn't. Nothing happened—just silence.
"…did he just say that?" Her voice was fragile, trembling with heartbreak. Her lips quivered, and tears spilt uncontrollably, making her vulnerability clear to the audience.
“He… he really said it…” A sob escaped her—painful and deep. "He said he'll never bother me again…"
Her hand moved to her chest, clutching it like it hurt to breathe—because it did. That hurt more than anything she had just said. More than the lies. More than the fear. The way he sounded—calm, accepting, as he believed her.
"No…" She shook her head repeatedly, tears falling nonstop. "He's not supposed to believe that…" Her voice broke completely. "He's supposed to know me…"
Her body gave in as she sat back down on the bed, her shoulders shaking with uncontrollable sobs. "I didn't mean it…" she cried softly. "I didn't mean any of it…"
But he didn't hear that. All he heard was the lie she was forced to say.
Aria pulled her knees slightly closer, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach again, her breathing shaky and her heart aching. "How am I going to live without him…?" she whispered weakly. The thought alone felt impossible. Because the truth was—she didn't just love Ryan; she needed him.
The room felt suffocating now—too quiet, too still.
Justin stood at the corner of the room, leaning casually against the wall, watching her like he had all the time in the world. Then he smiled—slow and cruel.
"You see?" he said, his voice calm but edged with cruelty, aiming to make the audience feel unease about his true intentions.
Aria's head lifted immediately, her eyes still filled with tears. "That's not true," she said quickly, her voice weak but firm.
Justin pushed himself off the wall and took a few steps closer, his voice sharp and deliberate. "Really?" he tilted his head slightly. "He let you go so easily, after all you've been through." Each word was meant to cut deep, to hurt her more. "To think you were crying over him…" he added with a faint, mocking laugh.
Aria clenched her fists tightly. Her heart hurt, but something inside her refused to believe that. "He knows me," she said, shaking her head.
Justin was about to respond—
Then—a loud gunshot echoed outside. Sharp. Sudden. Both of them froze.
Another shot followed, then another—rapid and closer.
Justin's expression changed instantly. The calm disappeared. "What the—"
More gunshots rang out. Shouting followed—men yelling, running. Then silence—too fast, too complete.
Justin's eyes darkened. Something was wrong. Very wrong. He moved toward the door quickly, reaching for it—but before he could even open it, the handle turned from the outside. The door burst open. And just like that, everything changed.
The door slammed open, the noise echoing sharply through the room. Aria flinched. Justin turned—and froze.
Ryan stood at the entrance, calm and composed, his cold gaze and steady presence reassuring the audience that Aria was protected amid the chaos.
His gaze moved once—straight to Aria.
She was on her feet before she even realised it. "Ryan—!"
Her voice broke completely as she ran to him, fast and desperate. She crashed into him, her arms wrapping tightly around him as if letting go wasn't an option anymore. Her whole body shook as she cried loudly against his chest, all the fear and pain finally breaking out at once.
Ryan didn't move for a second, just stood there holding her. Then his arms wrapped around her—firm and secure—one hand resting protectively on her back, the other gently at the back of her head, pressing her closer.
"I'm here," he said quietly, his voice softer than it had been all night.
Aria cried harder. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" she kept repeating through her sobs.
Ryan exhaled slowly, his hand moving slightly against her back in a calming motion. Then, after a second, his tone shifted just a little—a faint hint of teasing slipped in.
"You cry this much for everyone… or just me?"
Aria let out a broken laugh through her tears, gripping his shirt even tighter. "You're so mean…" she mumbled, still crying.
Ryan's lips curved slightly. But his eyes—they lifted and landed on Justin. The softness disappeared instantly, replaced by something much darker. He didn't move or step forward; he just looked at him and smiled—slow and devilish.
"Wow…" he said calmly. "Looks like someone's tired of living."
Justin didn't respond or move. For the first time, he looked powerless.
Behind Ryan, his men stepped in—efficient and silent. They grabbed Justin without hesitation, restrained him, and pulled him back. Justin struggled for a second, but it was useless—completely useless.
Ryan didn't even spare him another glance. His attention returned fully to Aria, still in his arms, still holding onto him as she might disappear again.
His hand moved gently over her hair. "I told you," he said quietly. "I'd find you."
Hours later, the mansion had gone quiet again. The chaos from earlier felt far away now, like something that didn't belong in this calm, controlled space. But Aria hadn't calmed down—not even a little.
Ryan walked through the hallway, adjusting his cuff as if nothing unusual had happened. His steps were steady and unhurried. Behind him, soft footsteps followed—close, very close. He didn't turn immediately; he already knew.
He stopped suddenly. Aria almost walked straight into him. She halted quickly, her hands instinctively reaching forward, lightly gripping his arm to steady herself.
Ryan glanced down at her hands… then slowly lifted his gaze to her face. One brow raised slightly. "…are you attached to me now?" His tone was calm, but there was clear teasing in it.
Aria didn't let go. If anything, she held him a little tighter. "No," she said quickly. Then after a second: "…maybe a little."
Ryan's lips curved faintly. He turned and continued walking. She followed again, right behind him, step for step.
He entered his office; she entered right after. He walked to the desk; she stood beside it. He picked up a file; she leaned slightly closer.
Ryan finally paused. Slowly, he set the file down and turned to look at her properly. She was already looking at him, like she had nowhere else to be.
"…do you plan on following me everywhere?" he asked.
Aria nodded immediately. "Yes." No hesitation.
Ryan let out a quiet breath, clearly amused now. "What if I leave the country?"
"I'll come with you."
"What if I lock the door?"
"I'll wait outside."
"What if I disappear?"
She stepped closer. "You won't," she said softly.
Ryan held her gaze for a second, then reached out and pulled her closer by the waist without warning. She let out a small gasp, her hands landing on his chest again.
"Clingy," he murmured.
Aria frowned slightly. "You're the reason."
Ryan almost smiled—almost. His thumb brushed lightly against her side. "And you're not even denying it," he added.
She shook her head. "After today? No." Her voice softened. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."
Ryan studied her for a second, then leaned slightly closer. "You didn't seem that attached on the phone," he said quietly. The teasing was light—but the meaning wasn't.
Aria froze. Her grip on his shirt tightened. "I didn't mean any of that," she said quickly, her eyes searching his. "You know that, right?"
Ryan didn't answer immediately. He just looked at her. Then, his hand moved to her chin, lifting it slightly. "I know," he said calmly—simple, certain.
Aria's shoulders relaxed instantly, relief washing over her face. She leaned into him slightly.
Ryan's hold on her didn't loosen. If anything, it tightened just a little. His hand stayed at her waist for a moment longer. Then he looked at her properly—not teasing this time, but serious.
"Aria…" His voice softened just a little.
She looked up at him immediately, still close, still holding onto his shirt like she wasn't ready to let go.
He exhaled quietly. "Go and sleep."
She frowned slightly. "I'm not tired."
Ryan didn't react to that. "You have a baby growing inside you," he said, calm but firm. His thumb brushed lightly against her side before his hand dropped. "And I'm working." A small pause. "You need rest."
Aria looked at him for a second. Her grip on his shirt didn't loosen. "I can stay here quietly," she said softly.
Ryan raised a brow. "Quietly?" There was a hint of disbelief in his tone.
Aria pouted slightly. "I can."
He shook his head once. "No." Simple. Final.
She sighed, clearly not happy about it. "But—"
"Aria."
Her name, this time, was enough to stop her. She looked at him again.
He stepped a little closer—not far, just enough. His hand lifted and rested lightly on her head, gentler now. "Go rest," he repeated, quieter this time. "You've had enough for one day."
Her expression softened slightly. She hesitated… then slowly nodded. "Okay…"
But she didn't move immediately. Ryan noticed, of course.
"You're still here," he said.
Aria looked at him, then slowly stepped back reluctantly. "Fine… I'm going," she muttered.
She turned toward the door, took a few steps—then stopped and turned back again. Ryan was already watching her.
She walked back quickly and wrapped her arms around him again, tight, just for a second. "I'm really going now," she said softly.
Ryan didn't push her away or rush her. His hand rested briefly on her back. Then she pulled away, finally, and walked out of the office. The door closed softly behind her.
Ryan stood there for a moment, still and silent. Then he exhaled quietly and turned back to his desk. But the faint trace of her presence—it didn't leave.