Allison's eyes narrowed as she processed the news of Aria's escape. The air in the dimly lit mansion grew tense, thick with fear and uncertainty. She paced back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts of how to regain control.
"Before Aria reaches this mansion, she will die," she declared, her voice cold and menacing. Jack's heart raced at her words, knowing he had to act fast.
"Please, Allison, I'll do anything you ask," he pleaded, desperation lacing his tone. "Just make sure Aria is safe." The rest of the family nodded in agreement, their faces a mixture of fear and determination. They all understood the stakes; they had to protect one of their own, even if it meant bending to Allison's will.
As the clock ticked ominously in the background, the family braced themselves for the choices they would have to make, knowing that each decision could lead to dire consequences.
Four weeks had passed, and Aria finally regained consciousness. Her vision was blurry as she carefully sat on the mat, noticing the bandage wrapped around her left leg. Memories flooded back—she recalled the sharp pain of the snake bite and the panic that followed. She remembered hearing two men talking, but their faces were a blur in her mind.
In the present, a young lady in her twenties entered the room, bringing medicine for her to drink. Aria thanked her and took the medicine, trying to piece together her situation. She looked around, confused about where she was, then suddenly remembered she had been running away from those men.
"How did I get here?" Aria asked urgently. The young lady smiled softly and explained, "My grandmother told me that two young men brought you here. One was a prince; without him, you wouldn't have survived. He tore the place where the snake had bitten you, which helped remove the poison." Aria's mind raced as she tried to remember, but the prince's face remained elusive, hidden behind the fog of her memory.
Aria's thoughts shifted to her family and Jack, igniting a fierce determination within her. She couldn't stay any longer; she had to find them. As she gathered her strength and began to run towards the door, the old woman emerged from her room, her eyes wide with concern.
"Let her go," she instructed her granddaughter, sensing the urgency in Aria's heart. The young lady hesitated but ultimately nodded, understanding that Aria needed to reunite with her loved ones. With a final glance back, Aria dashed out into the world, fueled by hope and the memory of Jack's face, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Aria looked around the streets and realized she wasn't too far from her house. Spotting a market nearby, she quickly headed to a changing room to get dressed, covering her face with a veil to conceal her identity. As she walked through the market, she overheard two men discussing a fire outbreak that was set to occur in one month.
Curiosity piqued, Aria leaned in closer to listen. The men spoke ominously about the city being engulfed in flames, and to her shock, they mentioned the involvement of the royal family in this impending disaster. Determined not to let their plans come to fruition, Aria made a promise to herself that she would do everything in her power to stop them. Without wasting any time, she quickly booked a taxi and left the market, her mind racing with thoughts of how to stop the royal family's scheme.
Aria finally reached the mansion, overwhelmed with joy at being back after four long weeks. She rang the doorbell, her heart pounding, and when the door swung open, she was stunned to see none other than Allison standing there.
"You!" Aria exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and anger. Allison's eyes widened in surprise, and the whole family gathered around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and tension. Aria rushed to Jack's side, kneeling beside him with worry. "Why are you still in the wheelchair?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern.
Allison laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "Jack belongs to me," she declared, and Aria felt a surge of rage. In a moment, Remembering how she was flogged with a stick, and what Allison did to Jack, the reason he is sitting in the wheelchair, she got angry remembering those event, she walked towards where Allison was standing and slapped her across the face. The room feel silent as everyone was shocked
Allison gripped Aria's hand tightly, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you?" she said looking angry. Aria pushed Allison away, warning her to stay away from her family.
Jack, sitting in his wheelchair, looked at Aria with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "Allison is my choice," he said quietly, his voice heavy with emotion. "I have to support her." Aria's heart sank at his words, feeling betrayal wash over her. Jack's smile was bittersweet, a reflection of the pain he was trying to mask.
Hearing Jack's words, Aria felt her world shatter. Ivy, visibly pregnant, stepped forward, her voice firm, insisting that Aria should leave. Shock coursed through Aria, and she turned to look at everyone; Mrs. Hilda turned her face away, disappointment etched on her features, while Daniel held Ivy's hand and led her upstairs, leaving Aria feeling utterly alone.
In a fit of rage, Allison dragged Aria's hand and threw her out of the house, causing her to fall hard to the floor. As Aria lay there, tears streaming down her face, she caught a glimpse of Jack, whose eyes were filled with tears. In his heart, he thought he was only doing this to protect her, but the weight of his choice left Aria feeling abandoned and heartbroken.