Aiden's phone shrilled in the silence, shattering his fragile calm. He snatched it, his voice low and urgent. "Allison, where's my child?"
Allison's icy tone sent a shiver down his spine. "Don't worry about the child, Aiden. Worry about following my instructions."
Aiden's anger boiled over, his fist slamming onto the table. "You're using my child as leverage! Tell me where they are!"
The line went dead. Aiden hurled the phone to the floor, the screen shattering into a thousand pieces.
He took a deep breath, his mind racing. With a calculated calm, he dialed another number.
"It's time," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "Aria knows too much. Take care of her."
Rakesh's hesitant voice filtered through the line. "But, Aiden, what about your father? He's still tied up."
Aiden's patience snapped. "Shut up and follow orders! I'll handle the rest."
Rakesh's retreating footsteps echoed through the room, replaced by David's urgent tone.
"Aiden, we must act fast. Your son needs you."
Aiden's gun materialized, pointed squarely at David. "Get out. Now."
David fled, leaving Aiden seething. Memories of Isa's brutal murder flooded his mind, fueling his rage. Aria's uncanny resemblance to his late wife was a constant reminder of his failure.
As he drove, Aiden spotted a toy store, a fleeting thought of his child's smile crossing his mind. But the thought of Allison's temper made him discard the idea.
He tossed the toy out the window, watching it shatter on the pavement like his own shattered dreams.
Aiden cruised through the market, his eyes scanning the crowded stalls. The billboard above the vendors caught his attention: "Jack and Allison's Divorce Finalized." Aiden's grip on the steering wheel tightened. This must be why Allison wanted Aria eliminated – to prevent her from being with Jack.
As he navigated the narrow market streets, a vendor carrying a bowl of tomatoes gestured for Aiden to move his car. Aiden's anger flared, and he accelerated, sending the vendor tumbling to the ground. The surrounding crowd shouted, pelting his car with stones as he sped away.
Austin, shopping for groceries, witnessed the commotion. A sly smile spread across his face.
Meanwhile, Austin's gaze drifted to the billboard. His expression turned resolute. He had to protect Aria at all costs. But he hadn't revealed his true identity to her yet – that he was Liam, the man who had saved her life.
Austin's thoughts swirled:
_Why did Allison want Aria dead?_
_Was Jack involved?_
_How could he keep Aria safe?_
With newfound determination, Austin merged into the crowd, disappearing among the vendors.
Jack settled into his plush armchair, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as he watched the breaking news on TV: "Jack and Allison's Divorce Finalized." His plan had worked.
Across town, Leah's eyes widened as she stared at the same news report. "Leo, come quick!" she urged, her voice laced with concern.
Leo joined her, his expression thoughtful. "We need to pay Jack a visit, find out what he's thinking."
At Sofia's restaurant, the owner herself sipped wine, her eyes locked on the TV. A satisfied smile curled her lips.
"Allison deserved that," Sofia murmured, savoring the wine's rich flavor. "She never deserved Jack. Only one person does – Aria."
Sofia's gaze drifted, lost in thought. She had always rooted for Aria and Jack, sensing a deep connection between them.
As the news report replayed, Jack's laughter echoed through his room, a mix of relief and vindication.
Allison cradled her baby in bed, then rose to quench her thirst. As she sipped water, her eyes locked onto the TV screen displaying the news: "Jack and Allison's Divorce Finalized." Her anger erupted, and she hurled the glass at the screen, shattering it.
"How dare he!" Allison seethed, fury coursing through her veins. "I'll kill him and his precious Aria. No one takes my child from me. She's mine alone."
Allison grabbed her phone, dialing Aiden's number. "Is it done?" she demanded, her voice low and menacing.
Meanwhile, Aiden secured his father and young son Elias in a locked room. Elias's cries pierced the air as Aiden departed, leaving the door locked behind him.
Aiden's father, determined to calm Elias, whispered soothing words. "Eat, son. Don't worry, we'll be fine."
As Elias's sobs subsided, Aiden's father surveyed their confinement, plotting an escape.
Allison's call connected, and Aiden's voice was low and reassuring. "It's being taken care of, Allison. Aria will be eliminated soon."
Allison's grip on the phone tightened. "I want confirmation. I want to know it's done."
"I'll send you proof," Aiden promised. "But you need to take care of your end. Ensure Jack doesn't suspect anything."
Allison's eyes narrowed. "Don't worry about Jack. I'll handle him."
As she ended the call, Allison's thoughts turned to her child, safely asleep in the next room. She smiled, a cold calculation in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Aiden's father whispered to Elias, "We have to get out of here, son. Your father's not thinking clearly."
Elias's tears slowed, replaced by determination. "Grandpa, I want to go home."
Aiden's father nodded, surveying their confinement. "We will, Elias. We will."
In the shadows, Austin (Liam) watched Aiden's house, his eyes fixed on the locked door. His mind racing with strategies to rescue Aiden's family.
Aria stood in her room, suitcase packed, Los Angeles beckoning. She longed to reconnect with her past, to unravel the mysteries surrounding her mom and sister's tragic fate. Mrs. Anita, her old neighbor, held the key to unlocking those secrets.
Just as Aria grasped the door handle, her phone buzzed. Austin's name flashed on the screen. Her curiosity piqued, she answered.
"Aria, I found Aiden's father," Austin said, his voice low and urgent. "He's being held at 345 Oakwood Drive. Come now."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "How did you...?"
"No time to explain. Just get here, Aria. Please."
The line went dead. Aria's mind reeled.
Jack's grip on Aria's hand tightened in the parking lot. "Where are you going?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
Aria's response dripped with defiance. "Why does it matter to you?"
Jack's jaw clenched as he snatched her phone, scanning the recent calls. Austin's name flashed on the screen.
"Aria," Jack's voice low and commanding, "get in the car."
He pushed her gently against the door, his face inches from hers. "Don't play with fire, remember you're mine, only mine."
Aria's words caught in her throat as Jack's intensity overwhelmed her. She slid into the passenger seat, her heart racing.
As Jack settled behind the wheel, his thoughts turned protective. "I'll shield her from whatever danger lies ahead."
Aria's hands instinctively cradled her stomach, her thoughts hidden. "I don't trust him. I'll protect my baby, no matter what."
The tension between them was palpable as Jack drove away from the mansion.
Mrs. Hilda watched from the window, a hopeful smile on her face. "I hope Aria forgives him," she whispered.