Voices sliced into me from every direction. Accusations. Judgment. Contempt. I didn’t explain. I couldn’t. I just wanted it finished.
But as I stepped down from the stage, Lilith’s syrupy voice trailed after me.
“Aria, I forgot something in the car. Could you get it for me?”
“No,” I replied flatly. “Ask one of the staff.”
She pouted, clinging tighter to Thorne’s arm. “But I trust Aria the most. I feel safer when she handles my things.”
Thorne gently patted her hand, then looked at me with that familiar commanding gaze. I understood immediately. Refuse now, and I’d pay later.
So I turned around and walked out.
---
Outside, the night air felt suffocating. I hadn’t even reached the car when the roar of an engine shattered the quiet. A vehicle screeched to a halt in front of me, blocking my path. The door flew open before I could react.
A man dressed in black lunged toward me, hatred burning in his eyes. My heart dropped. I tried to run, but he grabbed my hair and yanked so hard my knees buckled. His palm struck my face, snapping my head sideways as pain exploded.
“Who are you?!” I cried, blood filling my mouth. “There are cameras everywhere—are you insane?!”
He sneered, his gaze empty and cruel. “I’m here to teach you a lesson. You offended Miss Lockhart. Touching you is already mercy. You deserve worse.”
He slammed my head into the car window.
I screamed.
Glass shattered. Warm blood streamed down my face as he smashed my head again and again, until the window was streaked red. My vision blurred. My body went limp. I was too weak to fight him.
“Help… please… someone…” My voice dissolved into sobs. The world was silent except for my crying. Blood burned my eyes. Just when I thought I was about to die, he finally released me.
I collapsed onto the ground like discarded trash.
The headlights flared. The engine revved.
Panic crushed my chest—they were going to run me over.
“Stop!”
Someone rushed toward me, but before I could see who it was, darkness swallowed everything.
---
When I opened my eyes again, the sharp scent of disinfectant filled my nose. Bandages wrapped tightly around my head, and every breath stabbed my chest with pain.
“Aria… you’re awake.”
Thorne stood beside the bed. He looked exhausted, dark shadows beneath his eyes. He exhaled deeply when he saw me conscious.