Chapter 48 

Aria’s POV 

I was interrupt 

ed by Julian. 

He stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, a lazy smile on his face. 

“Julian,” I breathed, my heart hammering as I straightened, hoping I hadn’t given away too much. I had been alone in this mansion for days now. I always wondered where he went to, but no one cared to answered. Food. Bathe. Sleep. That was all that mattered to me.. “You’re back?” 

He chuckled, pushing off the wall and stepping into the room. “Clearly, I’m here ain’t I? My brother decided I’d done enough damage in Paris. God forbid I have some fun, right?” 

Despite everything, I smiled. Julian had that effect. Even at my lowest, he managed to coax a smile from me. 

“What exactly were you doing in Paris, anyway?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, feigning annoyance. “Dominic doesn’t exactly share the details with me.” 

Julian flopped onto the couch, stretching his long legs comfortably. “Business. Boring, tedious business. Basically, he sent me away so I wouldn’t cause trouble here.” 

I raised an eyebrow. “You probably caused more troubles anyways. 

He winked in confirmation. 

“You missed me. Admit it.” 

“Hardly,” I scoffed, though my lips twitched. It was impossible to be upset with Julian around. He had this way of lightening everything, no matter how dark things got. “Though, honestly, I did miss having someone here who doesn’t treat me like a ticking bomb.” 

Julian’s smile faded slightly, his expression shifting. “Speaking of ticking bombs, I heard about what happened on the island. Amara… I’m sorry.” 

I swallowed, looking away quickly. “Yeah. Me too.” 

He leaned forward, voice gentle. “You okay?” 

I forced a nod, avoiding his eyes. “I’m handling it.” 

Julian studied me for a moment, then shook his head. “You’re a bad liar, Aria.” 

“I’m fine,” I snapped, irritation flaring as I stood up sharply. “Why does everyone keep asking me that? Obviously, I’m not okay.” 

Julian raised both hands defensively. “Fair enough. Stupid question.” 

I sighed, shoulders sagging. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just… too much.” 

“Understandable,” he said, his tone gentle again. “This world isn’t exactly kind.” 

I laughed dryly. “No shit.” 

A comfortable silence settled over us, Julian quietly observing me before finally speaking again. “You know, I don’t envy you.” 

I gave a humorless laugh. “Who would?” 

“No,” he said seriously, meeting my eyes. “I mean it. Dominic isn’t easy to deal with. He never has been.” 

“He’s your brother,” I reminded him softly. 

He smiled bitterly. “Exactly why I know he’s a difficult bastard. But…” He hesitated, glancing at me carefully. “I also know he cares for you.” 

My throat tightened at that. “Dominic doesn’t care about anyone but himself.” 

“You really think that?” Julian’s gaze turned intense, searching mine. “Because, honestly, Aria, I’ve never seen him like this. Not even with Victoria.” 

My heart thumped painfully at her name. “Is that supposed to reassure me?” 

He chuckled humorlessly. “Probably not.” 

Successfully unlocked! 

Silence stretched between us before he leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. “You remind me of her a little. Not personality–wise–you’re softer, kinder–but you both had that same look.” 

“What look?” 

“The look of someone who thinks they’re strong enough to handle Dominic. Strong enough to survive him.” 

1/4 

Chapter:48 

I crossed my arms defensively. “And what happened to Victoria?” 

His gaze turned somber. “She underestimated Dominic. Thought she could manipulate him and Petrov. And look at her now.” 

I winced. “Not the most comforting comparison.” 

He shrugged lightly. “Just a warning.” 

“I appreciate it,” I said softly, meeting his eyes. “But I don’t want to end up like Victoria–or Amara, I don’t want to be another casualty.” 

“Then don’t,” he said simply, as though it were the easiest thing in the world. “Play smarter.” 

I gave him a tired smile. “That easy?” 

Julian smirked. “Nothing ever is with Dominic. But maybe you can get closer to figuring him out.” 

I exhaled slowly. “Or maybe I need to get away from him completely.” 

He studied me, eyes narrowing slightly. “Careful, Aria.”, 

“Why?” I challenged quietly. “Because he owns me?“. 

Julian stared at me, his usual teasing smirk nowhere in sight. Instead, his gaze was sharp, calculating. He wasn’t just looking at me–he was reading me. 

“You really think disappearing will fix this?” His voice was quieter now, but still edged with something I couldn’t quite place. I swallowed. “Maybe.” 

His jaw ticked. “You have no idea what he’s capable of when something belongs to him.” 

I flinched. “I don’t belong to him.” 

Julian sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Aria-” 

“I’m serious,” I cut in, my arms crossing over my chest. “Maybe if I leave, Mikael will stop. He’ll see I was never important to Dominic. He’ll back off.” 

Julian let out a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it. “You really believe that?” 

I hesitated. 

Did I? 

Maybe it was naïve. Maybe it was insanely dangerous. But it was my best shot at escaping both of them. 

“If Dominic thinks I ran away, he’ll be too focused on finding me,” I reasoned. “He won’t have time for Mikael’s games.” 

Julian’s brows furrowed. “Or he’ll burn the whole damn city down trying to prove he still owns you.” 

Something in my stomach twisted. 

“I don’t want to be owned.” 

Julian exhaled heavily. “Then why haven’t you left already?” 

I opened my mouth–then closed it. 

Because the truth was- 

I wasn’t sure. 

It wasn’t just fear. It wasn’t just survival. 

It was him. 

It was the fact that a small, stupid, reckless part of me wanted to stay. 

Even when I knew I shouldn’t. 

Even when I knew what he was capable of. 

Julian watched me carefully, then shook his head, muttering something under his breath. “Look, whatever you decide, just don’t be stupid about it.” 

I nodded, but I wasn’t sure if I meant it. 

Julian didn’t push. He just sighed again, giving me one last long look before stepping toward the door. 

“You’re a headache,” he muttered. “No wonder Dom is losing his mind.” 

I forced a small smile. “Tell him to get used to it.” 

Julian smirked slightly, but it faded too quickly. “Get some rest, Aria. You’re gonna need it.” 

I wanted to reply that all I know right now is rest bug I kept quiet. 

2/4 

Chapter 48 

Then he was gone. 

And I was alone. 

I stared at the closed door, my mind spinning. 

Julian might not have said it outright, but I knew what he was thinking. 

He didn’t believe I’d actually go through with it. 

And maybe part of me didn’t either. 

But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. 

Dominic and Mikael were at war. 

I was in the middle. 

And the only way out- 

Was to leave. 

But not the way Amara had. 

I wouldn’t let them take me down with them. 

No. 

I would disappear. 

Somewhere far. Somewhere neither of them could reach me. 

No more cages. No more waiting for someone else to decide my fate. 

This time, I would take my life back. 

I hadn’t told Julian. I wouldn’t. Whole I appreciated his feedback, the decision was already made. 

I would leave tonight. 

No take backs. 

** 

I zipped the backpack, my hands shaking slightly as I looked around the room one last time. My heart was pounding, my breaths coming short and uneven. 

I ran my palms against my trousers, trying to steady myself. 

You can do this, Aria. You have to do this. 

I had spent the past few days watching, listening, memorizing the guards‘ routines. I knew when they changed shifts, when they were distracted, when they got lazy. 

And tonight? 

Tonight was my best shot. 

I adjusted the straps of my bag, moving toward the door. The hallway was quiet. Too quiet. 

Swallowing hard, I took a slow step forward. Then another. 

The plan was simple- 

Go down the back staircase. Avoid the main hall. Slip past the side gate, where I had seen a small gap in the security 

cameras. 

If I made it past the first checkpoint, I could disappear. 

I could be free. 

I exhaled slowly, forcing my heartbeat to settle. 

Step by step, I moved down the hallway, my body tense, my ears straining for any sound. 

The first floor was dimly lit, shadows stretching along the marble floor as I made my way toward the exit. 

Almost there. 

I turned the corner- 

And froze. 

Two guards stood near the side entrance, engaged in a quiet conversation. 

I pressed myself against the wall, heart hammering. 

They weren’t supposed to be here. 

I clenched my jaw, trying to think. 

Chapter 48 

I could wait. But if I waited too long, someone would notice I was gone. 

You don’t have time. 

Taking a slow breath, I reached into my bag, pulling out the small glass bottle I had swiped from the kitchen earlier, 

I needed a distraction. 

I flung the bottle toward the opposite end of the hallway. It shattered loudly against the floor, the sound echoing through the quiet space. 

The guards straightened instantly. 

“The hell was that?” one of them muttered. 

“I don’t know. Go check it out,” the other said, already moving toward the noise. 

The second he turned, I darted forward. 

I moved quickly, silently, my pulse racing as I slipped past the entrance and into the open air. 

I was outside. 

The cool night breeze hit my skin, making me realize how tense I had been. 

I didn’t stop. 

I kept moving, making my way through the side yard. 

The fence was just ahead. 

Just a little further. 

My fingers brushed against the cold metal of the gate as I reached for it. 

And then- 

A shadow moved behind me. 

Before I could react, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me back against a hard chest. 

My breath hitched. 

The grip was firm. Unyielding. 

And I knew, without even looking- 

I was caught. 

Hot breath ghosted against my ear as a deep voice rumbled, low and dangerous. 

“Where do you think you are going, gattina?” 

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