Aria's eyes snapped up to meet the woman's, who was smiling mockingly, though her eyes held storms of emotion: anger, heartbreak, longing, and maybe even betrayal.
Aria stuttered as she reached forward to bandage the wound. "Your hand is bleeding. Let me take care of it." The woman extended her hand without a word, leaning slightly forward. The familiar scent that once soothed her filled Aria's senses, making her breathing ragged. She tried desperately not to look into those blue eyes again and again, but her own gaze betrayed her.
As she began applying antiseptic, the woman hissed and closed her eyes, forcing Aria to pause. Aria hurried from her chair to get closer, blowing gently over the wound before bandaging it more carefully than any doctor would. The woman looked at her and spoke again, her voice broken. "Why… why did you do that to me, Arin?"
Aria closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from spilling. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I… I don't know what… what you're talking about, Miss Elara." Her voice barely rose above a whisper. Elara clenched her jaw but remained silent.
When Aria finished bandaging the wound, she didn't waste a moment turning away, but Elara was faster. With a swift motion, she rose and grabbed Aria's wrist. Her voice was low, laced with anger and heartbreak. "You don't know, huh?"
Aria flinched at the sudden touch. It wasn't the gentle touch she remembered, but it was rough, unfamiliar. She bit her lower lip and looked down. Tears threatened to fall, but she wasn't ready.
Elara's hold softened as she realized her grip had been too rough. "Sorry… I didn't realize," she said, despite the anger still visible in her eyes.
Elara took a deep breath and released Aria's wrist, only to grip her shoulder and place a finger under her chin, lifting her face. But when she did, she froze.
Aria's sweat was dampening her forehead, and her eyes were squeezed tightly shut. She was standing there, but inside, she was battling the voices in her mind and the cruel visions behind her closed eyes.
Seeing this, Elara gently touched her cheek. "Arin? Hey…" Her anger vanished instantly.
When no response came, Elara shook her lightly. "Open your eyes, Arin! Breathe!" Her voice rose, laced with panic and concern.
Finally, Aria blinked and met Elara's gaze. The tears she had been holding back flowed down her cheeks. She gripped Elara's wrists, voice barely above a whisper. "Please… just… leave…"
Elara's chest tightened painfully. She couldn't understand why or what was wrong, but seeing Aria's state, she nodded and stepped back.
Her eyes turned cold, her voice sharper than she intended. "As you wish." She almost snapped, storming out and slamming the door behind her.
Elara's eyes burned from holding back tears. Her jaw tightened as she tried to calm the anger racing through her. But beneath that sharp expression and searing anger was a heartache only she could feel, a pain that made it hard to breathe.
___________
Inside the room, Aria stumbled back, clutching the chair before collapsing to her knees, sobbing, "Stop it… just stop… I don't love her. I hate her. Just leave her alone."
But the voice inside her wouldn't stop. She pressed her hands to her ears, helpless as it clawed at her mind.
"She will suffer, and you will feel that pain. This time, you won't be able to save her."
Aria covered her face with her hands, shaking her head as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.
___________
After a few hours, around 10 p.m., Aria was returning home from the hospital when she stopped and glanced back at the building. The name glowed in the night: Eidalein Central Hospital, a place where people came from all over the world. Not everyone came for natural illness; some arrived due to paranormal effects as well.[1]
She sighed and walked toward the parking lot when she suddenly felt someone covering her eyes from behind. She touched the hand and let out a chuckle. "Zara…"
Zara removed her hand. "Yes, miss Arin… ops! Sorry, Aria."
Aria shook her head and held Zara's hand as they started walking. "Good that you remember," she said softly.
Zara sighed. "Arin, seriously… what did you think? That Elara wouldn't be able to find you just because you changed your name and identity?"
Aria tensed, her hand tightening around Zara's, which didn't go unnoticed. "She… she visited the hospital today," Aria said quietly.
Zara's eyes widened, concern flashing across her face. "What? But how did she even find out?"
Aria shook her head and unlocked her car, but didn't get inside. "She came to get a bandage."
Zara's eyes widened even further, if that were possible. "God! Stop giving me heart attacks and tell me everything already!" Aria rolled her eyes and opened the car door for her.
As Aria drove, she told Zara what had happened, including the voice in her mind. Zara huffed. "Why is our life always this complicated?"
Aria chuckled and glanced at her. "But you didn't tell me what you are doing here in Elarith?"[2]
Zara smirked. "Why, is this city only for you?"
Aria laughed and shook her head. "No, you dummy. But as far as I know, you said you were covering a story. What's that about?"
Zara rolled her eyes. "Stories come and go. That's life for a journalist. But… Miss..." She winked and handed Aria an envelope.
Aria frowned and took it. "What's this?"
Zara unbuckled her seat belt and stepped out of the car. "The reason behind my sudden visit to Eidalein."
Aria followed, opening the envelope as she walked. "Looks like… a wedding invitation?"
Zara hummed, already waiting in front of the elevator. Aria trailed behind, taking the card out completely, and gasped as she read the names.
Zara smirked, stepping into the elevator and tugging Aria inside. "It's the most awaited wedding in Elarith…" Aria whispered.
Zara nodded, "Especially for the two cities: Viremont and Eidalein." Aria giggled, glancing at her.
"I still can't believe the wedding of the Virelux heir… Jane Virelux is finally happening," Zara said.
Aria smirked, slipping the card back into the envelope. "Well, officially she's a Harper, you know?"
Zara huffed and crossed her arms. "Why does everyone here keep changing their names?"
Aria laughed as the elevator doors slid open and stepped out. Zara followed, shaking her head. "No, I'm serious. You changed yours from Arin Thorne to Aria Vale. She uses Harper instead of Virelux." She threw her hands up. "What's wrong with everyone here?"
Aria's laughter faded as she stopped at her door and unlocked it. Zara trailed in behind her, shutting the door firmly once they stepped inside.
Aria's apartment was warm and welcoming, not overly luxurious, but spacious enough for her.
Zara glanced around the apartment. "You changed the couch? It used to be an L-shape, and now… It's bigger but normal."
Aria poured herself some water, taking a sip before answering. "Yeah. I saw this one online and liked it, so I replaced the old one."
Zara dropped onto the new couch and chuckled. "Great choice. But… didn't you get an invitation? You're practically their second family doctor."
Aria nodded, leaning back against the wall beside her kitchen. "Yes… but maybe they're sending invitations to people outside the kingdom first?"
Zara tilted her head, still scanning the apartment, before lowering her voice with hesitation. "Do you think it's possible that Elara came here for the wedding too?"
Aria's head snapped toward Zara, but before she could speak, a sudden knock on the door made them both flinch. Their eyes flicked to the clock on the wall...midnight.
Zara swallowed hard and whispered, "Were you expecting someone?"
Aria shook her head, moving toward the door. Zara followed closely. Both tensed, half-expecting something, or someone, threatening.
However, with trembling hands, Aria reached for the handle and slowly opened the door.
[1] As I mentioned in the note at the end of the last chapter, this isn’t the world we live in—it’s one I’ve created. The kingdoms have different names, as do their cities. Gradually, you’ll discover which kingdom is known for what specialty.
[2] Elarith is a kingdom known for its ghost hunters and the unwavering bravery of its people. No matter what kind of paranormal trouble shows up, Elarith always has a way to handle it. The kingdom has many cities, but for now, only two matter to our story: Viremont and Eidalein.