For a second, I thought I misheard her.
The words hung between us like smoke, curling into the air, choking me.
"I'm being poisoned."
My chest tightened, every muscle locking into place. "What?" My voice was barely a whisper.
She didn't look at me. She didn't need to. The pallor of her skin, the weakness in her eyes, it was all the confirmation I needed. My pulse roared in my ears, loud and heavy.
"Who?" I managed, but I already knew the answer.
She pressed her lips together, fighting tears. "Your uncle," she said softly. "They've been giving me something in my food. In the milk, i don't know. I heard them talking about dosages, about you signing something… a deal."
Her words hit harder than any blow.
I turned toward the door, my hands curling into fists. "He said I sign and she's free," I muttered. "That bastard..."
"Zayden."
Her voice stopped me cold.
I turned back to her. She was shaking, clutching the sheets, her body frail and trembling. I'd seen her angry, scared, broken,but this was worse. She looked like she was fading right in front of me.
I dropped to my knees beside the bed, taking her hand. Her skin was ice. "How long?"
"I don't know," she whispered. "I've been weak for days. Weeks maybe. I thought it was stress."
Guilt crawled up my throat like acid. Because of me. She was here because of me.
"I'm going to kill him," I muttered, the words trembling with rage.
Her grip tightened weakly. "No. Don't do anything stupid. He'll kill you first."
"He's already trying," I said bitterly. "He's just using you to finish the job."
The silence between us stretched, heavy and suffocating. She tried to smile, but it faltered halfway.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked.
"I didn't know how to reach you. They took everything,my phone, my ID, my freedom. I only got that one call because they wanted you to think I was alive."
I dragged a hand through my hair, the realization clawing at me. They used her to manipulate me.
The paper my uncle had left on the table caught my eye. I stood, snatching it up. A contract. A legal trap. A transfer of control of the company. My signature in exchange for her so-called freedom.
Freedom bought with lies.
"Zayden," she said softly.
I looked down at her again. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, full of something that twisted my chest tighter than any threat.
"Don't sign it," she whispered.
"What choice do I have?" I rasped.
"You'll lose everything," she said.
"I already did," I answered without hesitation.
She shook her head, the movement weak but insistent. "That's what he wants. To make you desperate enough to fall into his hands. Don't let him win."
Her voice was faint, but her words cut through me.
I wanted to tell her I wouldn't let anything happen to her. That I'd fix everything, no matter what it cost. But I had made promises before, and all they'd ever done was break her heart.
I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You need to rest."
She caught my wrist, her fingers trembling. "Zayden, promise me something."
"Anything."
"If I don't make it..."
"Don't." The word came out sharper than I intended. "Don't say that."
Her lips quivered. "If I don't make it," she continued, ignoring me, "don't give up. Don't let them turn you into what they are."
I swallowed hard. "You're going to make it."
Her eyes drifted shut for a moment, exhaustion overtaking her. "I'm tired," she murmured.
"I know," I whispered. "Sleep."
She did. Or at least pretended to.
When her breathing evened out, I stood, jaw clenched. The papers still sat on the table like a curse. I could hear footsteps in the hallway,his footsteps. David's calm, measured steps, each one a reminder of how deep his control ran.
The door creaked open. He didn't even bother pretending to knock.
"She told you?" he asked smoothly.
"She doesn't need to tell me," I said without turning. "I can see it."
He stepped closer, his cologne filling the air, suffocating. "Sign it, Zayden. Once you do, she'll get the treatment she needs. Otherwise…" He trailed off, letting silence finish the threat.
I turned then, fury burning through my veins. "You're killing her."
He smiled faintly. "Don't be dramatic. Just keeping things under control."
I wanted to hit him. To put my hands around his throat and end it. But that was what he wanted,to prove I was unhinged. To make me my father's son.
I forced my hands to unclench. "You'll get what you want. But first, I want proof she's safe. I want her moved to the medical wing. Monitored."
"Demanding now, are we?" His smile widened. "Careful, Zayden. You don't hold any power here."
I met his gaze coldly. "Not yet."
He chuckled, then nodded toward the paper. "Sign, and I'll consider your request."
He left, closing the door softly behind him.
I turned back to Aria. She was still asleep,or unconscious. Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale. I sat beside her, brushing my thumb against her knuckles.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "For everything."
She stirred, murmuring something too soft to catch.
I reached for the pen. My hand hovered over the paper. Her life for my freedom. There was no real choice here.
My pen hit the page. I hesitated only a heartbeat before signing.
Her moaning made me turn around towards her, she was shaking and then fell off the bed hard and then silence...
The pen dropped from my hand. I was already moving, already at her side, shaking her lightly.
"Aria!" Her name came out strangled. Her lips were pale, her eyes half-open but unfocused.
"No," I whispered, panic clawing its way up my throat. "No, no, no."
I pressed two fingers to her neck. Nothing.
"Call the doctor!" I shouted, no one was there but the door opened and a guard walked in.
I looked up at the guard, fury surging. "NOW!"
He moved. I leaned down, my hand cupping her face. "Stay with me, Aria. Please. You're not allowed to leave me too."
Her chest rose shallowly, barely there. My tears hit her skin. I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt them fall.
I pulled her into my arms, holding her against me, her head against my shoulder.
"Help me." I whispered to no one.
The door opened again, David's calm voice slicing through the chaos. "You should have signed faster."
I looked up at him, rage and heartbreak colliding in my chest.
"if she dies," I said quietly, "I swear, I'll burn everything."
He didn't laugh this time.
And for the first time since I was that boy, the rage that blinds me, the one I thought I left in the fire, resurfaces and I meant every word.