Chapter 13 

Bastard 

Fucking bastard 

If my family’s life weren’t in his hands, I would have run away. 

Or maybe I should, and say to hell with it? 

But that would make me a bad daughter, and my mom was too sick. 

I paced the room, my bare feet brushing against the cool floor as anger boiled under my skin 

couldn’t stay here. Not after what happened tonight. 

Dominic thought he owned me, thought he could control me, but I wasn’t some helpless little girl 

No I had survived worse. I am not going to take shit from him! 

Arrgh 

My eyes darted to the door, and I strode over, grabbing the handle. 

Locked. Of course, it was locked. 

I twisted the handle harder, jiggling it in frustration. “Let me out I shouted, slamming my palm against the wood. 

Silence. 

I clenched my fists, breathing heavily as I glared at the door like I could burn a hole through it with sheer willpower.” Asshole,” I muttered under my breath. 

Fine. If the door was a no–go, I’d find another way. 

I turned to the window, my heart racing as I stared at it. The thick drapes were tied back, revealing a view of the vast estate below. I stepped closer, my fingers brushing the cold glass. The window opened outward, the latch easy to undo. 

As I pushed it open, rush of cool night air hit me, making my skin prickle. The ground below looked fat, but not impossible. I’d done harder climbs back in high school when I used to do rock climbing with a group of friends. 

I could do this. 

Swinging one leg over the windowsill, I paused to take a deep breath, the adrenaline buzzing in my veins. My bare feet found purchase on the stone ledge, and I gripped the edge of the window tightly as I steadied myself. 

The first few steps were easy my hands and feet finding cracks and grooves in the stone wall to hold onto. The rough surface scraped against my palms, but I didn’t care. All I could think about was getting out, getting away. 

The cool wind whipped at my face as I descended slowly, carefully. The sounds of the night surrounded me–crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and the faint hum of distant voices from somewhere inside the mansion. 

About halfway down, I paused to catch my breath, my muscles trembling slightly from the effort. I glanced up at the window I’d climbed out of, then down at the ground below. Almost there. 

Just as I reached for the next foothold, I saw it—a shadow. 

My heart skipped a beat as I froze, my body pressed tightly against the wall. Someone was below me, standing in the garden. 

I squinted in the dim light, trying to make out who it was. The figure was tall, broad–shouldered, and unmistakably male. 

“Oh shit,” I whispered, my stomach dropping. 

I had nothing to protect myself. I gulped, clinging to the wall as my eyes stayed locked on the shadowed figure below me. If he looked up, I was caught. If I moved too quickly. I’d slip. 

I thought about climbing back up, but my arms were already aching. And then he moved–a step closer to the base of the wall, into the faint moonlight. 

“Nico?” I blurted before I could stop myself, the name escaping my lips like a gasp. 

The figure froze, then tilted his head upward. Sure enough, it was Nico Renald 

High school sweetheart. He was everyone’s crush. 

Including mine in high school. 

Oh my God. What was he doing here? 

His messy hair caught the light, and that ever–present smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth 

“Aria?” he called back, his voice laced with amusement. But I don’t think he knows me. 

Maybe from Dominic or heard about me in the mansion. I doubt if he knows me. I was the invincible in high school 

בו 

Chapter 11 

anyways 

I gulped. 

He squinted, and as realization dawned on his face, his smirk turned into a full grin. “What the hell are you doing up 

I hesitated, trying to come up with something anything that didn’t sound insane. Uh, getting some air?” 

therese 

Nico threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and surprisingly genuine. “Through the window? You’re kidding me 

1 scowled, embarrassed and annoyed all at once. “It’s not funny” 

“It’s hilarious,” he said, still chuckling. “You know, normal people just use the door.” 

“The door was locked” I snapped, my grip tightening on the stone as I glared down at him. 

Nico grinned wider, crossing his arms as he leaned against a nearby tree. “So you thought, what? Let’s just scale the side. of the mansion like some kind of action hero‘? Bold move, cara mia.” 

I huffed, my cheeks burning. 

Cara Mia? Oh my 

God. 

“I didn’t have a lot of options, okay?” 

He shook his head, clearly entertained. “Well, come on then. I’m not letting you fall and break your neck on my watch.” 

“I wasn’t planning on falling.” I muttered, but I started climbing down again, my movements more cautious with Nico watching. 

When my feet finally touched the ground, Nico stepped closer, his smirk still firmly in place. “You know,” he said, eyeing me up and down, “I’m almost impressed. Almost” 

“Don’t start,” I warned, brushing off my hands. 

“What? You’re the one sneaking out like a teenager trying to dodge curfew. I have every right to laugh.” 

I glared at him, but a small, reluctant smile lugged at my lips. “Fine. Get it out of your system.” 

He laughed again, the sound warm and infectious. “You’re something else, Aria.” 

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the corner of my mouth from twitching upward. “So what are you doing out here? Sneaking off to plot something devious?” 

Nico raised an eyebrow, his grin softening into something more genuine. “Not everything I do is devious, you know. Sometimes a guy just wants some fresh air” 

“Fresh air,” I repeated, skeptical 

“Yeah,” he said with a shrug, gesturing to the garden around us. “It’s quiet out here. No scheming, no Dominic barking orders, no-” He stopped himself, his grin returning. “Well, I was going to say no drama, but then you showed up.” 

I snorted despite myself “Sorry to ruin your peaceful night” 

“Ruin?” he said, feigning shock. “Cara mia, you’ve made it way more interesting” 

I shook my head, amused despite my earlier frustration. For a moment, the tension that always seemed to follow me around eased, and I felt. lighter 

you really doing? Climbing out the window, I mean.” 

Nico glanced at me, his expression curious. “So, what were y 

I hesitated, unsure if I should tell him the truth. But something about the way he looked at me–relaxed, not judging–made me feel like I could. 

“I needed to get out,” I admitted softly. “Dominic locked my door and I just.. I felt trapped.” 

Nico nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. 1 get that. He’s not exactly the nurturing type, is he?” 

I let out a bitter laugh. “That’s an understatement.” 

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “You don’t seem like someone who gives up easily, he said finally 

I shrugged, my arms wrapping around myself. “It’s not about giving up. It’s about… surviving. My dad, my mom, they’re counting on me. I can’t let them down.” 

Something in his face shifted, a flicker of understanding. “That’s a lot to carry,” he said quietly. 

“Yeah,” I whispered, my voice breaking slightly. “It is.” 

Nico stepped closer, his usual playful demeanor softening. “What happened? With your family, I mean.” 

I hesitated, but the words started spilling out before I could stop them. “My dad he’s a gambler. He got us into so much debt, and now Dominic owns him. And my mom… she’s sick. Cancer. She needs treatment, and we don’t have the money” 

I swallowed hard, tears stinging my eyes as I looked away,” thought I could fix everything, but now I’m stuck here, and it feels like I’m losing everything that matters.” 

Chapter 13. 

Nico was silent for a moment, then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. He handed it to me without a 

word 

I took it hesitantly, wiping my eyes as the tears started to fall. “Sorry,” I mumbled, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to unload all that on you” 

“Don’t apologize, Nico said, his voice gentle. “Sometimes you just need to let it out” 

I sniffed, glancing at him through watery eyes. “You don’t seem like the kind of guy who’d understand.” 

He grinned faintly, leaning against the tree again. “You’d be surprised. This life? It’s not all power and parties. Everyone’s got their baggage.” 

“Even you?” I asked, my voice still shaky. 

“Especially me,” he said, his grin widening slightly “But hey, at least I’ve got a sense of humor about it, right?” 

I laughed weakly, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.” 

“And you’re stubborn,” he shot back, his tone teasing. “Guess we’re even.” 

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a little lighter, like I could breathe again. 

“Thanks,” I said softly, clutching the handkerchief in my hands. 

Nico waved me off. “Don’t mention it. Now, come on. Let’s get you back inside before Dominic finds out you’re out here and decides to strangle me for not stopping you.” 

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to make me climb back through the window, are you?” 

He laughed, shaking his head. “No way. I’m not that cruel.” 

He led me back to the mansion, his steps easy and relaxed, like we weren’t sneaking around in the dead of night. When we reached the door to my room, Nico fished out a key and unlocked it, pushing it open for me. 

“Here you go,” he said with a grin. “No more window stunts, okay?” 

I nodded, stepping inside. “Okay Thanks, Nico 

“Anytime,” he said, giving me a mock salute. “Goodnight, cara mia.” 

As he walked away, I sniffed the handkerchief again, the faint scent of cologne still lingering on the fabric. 

For the first time in days, I smiled 

It felt like seeing someone from my past and it made me feel good 

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