“Aria, I know you’re angry,” he said, his voice clipped and icy. “But this time, you crossed the line. I can’t keep indulging your behavior.”
A laugh escaped me—dry, bitter, almost painful. “Indulging me?” I shot back. “Thorne, did you even bother to find out what actually happened?”
He clearly hadn’t expected resistance. His expression darkened at once. “You know exactly what you did,” he said coldly. “I’m not here to argue. I’m here to tell you how this will be handled. Because of your outburst, Lilith’s reputation has been destroyed. When you’re discharged, you’ll host a formal banquet and publicly apologize to her. You’ll admit that the rumors were caused by your misunderstanding and clear her name. As for your father—his condition will be explained as a standard surgical risk associated with brain aneurysms.”
For a second, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. Then I saw his face. He was serious.
“Have you lost your mind?” My voice trembled. “My father is lying like that because of her mistake, and you want me to protect her reputation?”
His gaze turned steely. “Enough. This isn’t a discussion. This is what will happen. And don’t forget—your father is still barely holding on, and your brother is wasting away in prison.”
My blood ran cold. It was always the same. Whenever I tried to resist, he tightened the chains around my neck. My father. My brother. I had nowhere to run. I swallowed the anger burning my throat and closed my eyes.
“Fine,” I said quietly. “I’ll do it. But you release my brother first.”
He paused, only briefly, then nodded. “One month,” he said. “That’s all the time you have.”
I agreed.
---
When the day arrived, his driver came for me. At the venue, Thorne entered with Lilith hooked on his arm, his hand never leaving hers. He didn’t need to say a word—one look from his eyes was enough to remind me of my place.
I curled my fingers into fists and stepped onto the stage, forcing my expression into something calm.
“I’m here today to apologize to Dr. Lilith Lockhart,” I said steadily. “The statements I previously made online were based on a misunderstanding. I regret the harm they caused.”
The hall erupted instantly.
“How shameless—smearing a doctor like that.”
“So it was all fake? I knew she was just seeking attention.”
“Poor Dr. Lockhart, enduring such malicious rumors.”
“Imagine humiliating yourself like this just to beg forgiveness.”
“No wonder Thorne replaced her.”
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.
“It’s over now,” he said gently. “I investigated everything. It was a medical misunderstanding—they mistook you for Lilith. I’ve already had them arrested. You’re safe.”
His tenderness made my stomach twist.
“Does your head still hurt?” he asked softly. “Try moving a bit. Tell me if anything feels wrong.”
His phone rang. I recognized the ringtone immediately—it was her. For once, he ignored it and instead clasped my hand tightly, as if I were precious.
I tried to pull away. He wouldn’t let go.
“Thorne,” I whispered, “if I told you I heard that man say he was acting on Lilith’s orders… would you believe me?”
He stiffened. His brow furrowed. Slowly, he released my hand. His tone turned cold again.
“Enough, Aria. You’re imagining things. Lilith is a victim too. If not for you, she would be the one lying here right now. How could she possibly be behind something like this?”
A bitter laugh escaped me. My lashes trembled as I turned my face away. I didn’t even have the strength to argue anymore. What was the point? He never believed me.
I closed my eyes, utterly exhausted.
“I know you’re upset with her,” Thorne murmured. His hand brushed through my hair in a soothing motion. “Once things calm down, I’ll reduce contact with her. Just trust me.”
He stayed by my side all night, whispering gentle words like he used to, as if that could erase everything. I stared back at him with hollow eyes.
My heart felt numb.
Because I knew he was lying. He would never let Lilith go.
And outside the door, unknown to me, she was already on her way to find him.
---
Hours later…
I was ripped from sleep when the door slammed open. Hands dragged me violently out of bed. My body was weak, my head spinning.
“Where is Lilith?” Thorne roared, fury burning in his voice.
“What did you do to her?!”
