Chapter 143 

Aria’s POV 

I needed to find a way out. 

My thoughts kept circling, echoing desperately inside my head as if sheer thoughts alone could break open doors and tear down walls. But my body hurt my ankle swollen and throbbing painfully with every slight movement, my wrists raw and sore, skin still marked red from the ropes. 

I groaned softly, teeth clenched, forcing my shaking body to push upward from the cold floor. I wouldn’t couldn’t stay here, helpless, waiting for Dominic or anyone else to rescue me. My breaths came short and ragged as I placed one trembling hand against the wall, struggling to steady myself. 

The makeshift weapon the metal piece I’d pried from the lamp lay hidden beneath the mattress. My fingers closed around it tightly, knuckles white, pulse hammering. Carefully, I wedged the metal edge back into the thin seam I’d discovered, the hidden crack in the wall that offered the faintest glimmer of hope. It was something, a start. 

I shoved the piece in harder, feeling a slight give. Sweat beaded across my forehead, and my arms shook from the effort. My ankle burned, but I ignored it, pressing harder, desperately, as the panel shifted just barely. 

“Please,” I whispered fiercely. “Please.” 

The panel groaned quietly, and I exhaled sharply, triumph flashing through me. Just a little more- 

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through my ankle again as I shifted my weight carelessly. My vision blurred, and I felt the ground rush toward me. My knees hit first, then my palms slammed onto the cold floor. A muffled scream tore from my lips as I curled forward, clutching my injured ankle, the metal piece skittering out of reach. 

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away fiercely. 

I couldn’t break. I am a strong girl. Come on Aria who use to dance even with burns on your scalp? 

Me. Fucking me. 

Breathing shakily, I dragged myself up again, using the wall to steady my trembling frame. My ankle was worse now twisted again, pulsing angrily. But pain was a familiar enemy. It wouldn’t stop me. Not today. 

Drawing a slow, shuddering breath, I forced my eyes open, searching the small, empty room. There was only one other way I could play this–a risk, but one I was willing to take. 

Mikael’s men. 

They were dangerous. Ruthless. But like most men I’d encountered in Dominic’s world, they were arrogant, confident in their strength, careless in their disdain. 

They underestimated me. That was their weakness. 

I limped slowly toward the door, every step agony. With each uneven stride, I forced myself to straighten, lift my chin, and sharpen the look in my eyes. 

“Hey!” I shouted hoarsely, pounding my palm against the solid wood. “Open up!” 

Silence. Nothing. 

I banged again, harder, ignoring the ache in my wrist. “I know you hear me!” 

Still nothing. 

I bit my lip in frustration. “If something happens to me,” I shouted louder, fury edging my voice, “your boss won’t be happy. Mikael needs me alive, doesn’t he? Think about it! Open the damn door!” 

Finally, I heard muffled footsteps approaching from outside. My pulse spiked, hope and fear tangling in my chest. The door swung open, revealing a guard–young, bored–looking, clearly annoyed at having to deal with me. 

“What the hell is all the shouting about?” he snapped, glaring at me impatiently. 

I met his gaze evenly, letting him see defiance in my eyes rather than fear. “I need medical attention. If I die, your boss won’t have the leverage he wants. My ankle is badly injured–I can’t move properly.” 

He laughed, a cruel, dismissive sound. “Do you really think we’re stupid enough to fall for that? You’re not going anywhere.” 

“I don’t need to go anywhere,” I said sharply, voice cold, eyes blazing. “But do you really think Mikael will reward you if I’m permanently damaged? How useful am I as leverage of Dominic hinds masken and half–dead?” 

Successfully unlocked! 

He hesitated slightly, eyes narrowing with uncertainty 

Good. I had him thinking.. 

“You underestimate how much Mikael values control,” I continued, pressing harder, knowing I had mere moments to convince him. “If I’m not properly treated, your boss will take it out on someone. Probably you.” 

1/3 

Chapter 143 

The guard shifted nervously, glancing back down the corridor briefly, clearly weighing his options. But before he could respond, another man stepped forward from behind him–older, meaner, harder. 

“Stop listening to her,” he growled, eyes sharp. “She’s manipulating you.” 

I felt my heart sink slightly. This one wouldn’t be as easy. But I didn’t let it show I forced my expression to stay calm, steady, and seductive. Just like when I dance. Be your outer self, not your inner turmoil. 

Thank God for yoga. 

“Manipulating or not,” I snapped, voice rising with urgency, “you know I’m right. Mikael isn’t stupid. He’ll want me healthy. You can ignore it now, but he won’t ignore it later.” 

They exchanged uneasy glances, tension rippling silently between them. 

“Look at me,” I demanded, gesturing to my injured ankle, swollen and visibly bruised. “What harm does it do to at least get me some ice or a bandage? Your boss doesn’t need complications. Do your job right, and maybe you won’t pay the price later.” 

The younger guard hesitated, glancing again toward his partner. “She might have a point…” 

“Don’t fall for it,” the older one snapped sharply. “She’s trying to get under your 

skin.” 

“Fine,” I retorted, letting venom lace every word. “When Mikael sees me in this condition, I’ll make sure he knows exactly who ignored his valuable leverage’s injury. I’m sure he’ll be very understanding.” 

A long silence stretched between us, charged and tense. Finally, the older guard sighed irritably, clearly annoyed but relenting slightly. 

“Fine,” he growled. “What do you want?” 

I forced myself not to smirk, not to give away how relieved I was at his momentary weakness. Carefully, I leaned back against the wall, stretching my injured leg out in front of me. Pain pulsed through my ankle, but I fought through it, breathing slowly, trying to calm it. 

“You could start by treating me like a human being,” I murmured, letting my voice soften just enough, adding a faint tremor, a delicate touch of vulnerability. “Something for my ankle. Ice, bandages just something to ease the pain.” 

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