Aria didn't blink. And she didn't even look surprised. She knew Sebastian long enough to know what he was going to say about her in public.
But, even though…that didn't stop her heart from aching a little bit.
She still stood proudly. Even if it was all fake, it was better than showing how much hurt she felt.
Jasmine giggled, leaning on Sebastian's shoulder as they stepped in front of the cameras together.
The photographers lit up. They were calling her name, praising her dress, and asking them to pose as a couple.
While Aria stood quietly at the side.
Maybe it was the crowd. The heat surrounding her. Or the loud music thudding in her ears.
But Aria suddenly couldn't breathe. She clutched her chest, struggling to stay calm.
Not wanting to grab any attention, she immediately made her way to the rooftop terrace.
She just needed a bit of air. Just a few minutes to breathe.
A few minutes passed before she decided to head back in. She reached for the door handle…but it wouldn't budge. She twisted it again. Nothing.
It had been locked from the outside.
Suddenly, Jasmine's cold, mocking voice echoed from behind the door, “Hey, gold-digging leech! How do you feel being with a man who only treats you like a disposable tool?”
“You better don't try anything stupid. Sebastian is mine and mine alone. You should leave on your own before I kick you out myself.”
“I can't believe you had the guts to tag along tonight. You were trying so hard to steal my place. Sebastian did a good job shoving you in the corner, jealous hag!”
Aria stepped back, clutching her chest. It was getting worse. She was struggling to catch a single breath at this point.
“Sebastian is all yours, Jasmine. I was never going to take him away from you.” She fought the words out. Still struggling.
“Shut up. Don't try to pretend!” Jasmine yelled at her with a dismissive scoff. Not believing her.
“You tried to take my parents away from me. Now you are trying to do the same to the man that was meant for me. Never!”
“You know what? You should be punished for being such a two-faced devil. I'm going to make sure you freeze out here in the cold. And no one will know you are here.”
Without wasting time, she snapped the padlock in place, sealing the door like it was never meant to be opened again.
Since the charity event featured high-profile guests and valuable displays, guests had been asked to check in all personal belongings—phones, bags, even smartwatches—before entering the main hall and walking down the red carpet.
How would she call for help?
And no one but Jasmine knew she had stepped out.
Aria began to struggle again. She tried to breathe, but she couldn't. Her chest tightened, and she slowly sank to the floor.
“No.” She whispered desperately as she stretched her hands to the door and began to bang on it weakly.
“Please…I don't want to die here. Anyone there…please, let me out of here.”
But anyone seeing the door was locked with a padlock would keep out without thinking twice. No one would be coming to her rescue.
Her arms were already beginning to tremble with cold. Seconds later, she could barely keep her eyes open. Her body gave out, and everything went dark.
A few hours passed, and the charity gala ended…but Aria was still yet to be back. Sebastian couldn't hide his face scrunched up with worry.
“Sebby, could she have walked out just because you took the photos with me, and not with her?” Jasmine asked sweetly, acting like she didn't know anything.
“I should have just stayed back home. I don't want her to be mad at me or anything.”
Sebastian turned to her, his brows etched together. “Jasie, you are the only heiress of Hartwell & Co. Holdings. Never would I let an ordinary employee sit in your place. That's out of order.”
“Don't worry about it. Aria has been moody and overly dramatic these days. If she can't handle the sight of me with someone more worthy, that's on her. She probably left on purpose to ruin the night. So, let's not let her bother us. We can head right home without her.”
Sebastian led the way. Jasmine followed him, secretly grinning. “I'm going to deal with you, Aria. I'll make sure you have no one by your side—not my parents. Not my sweetheart.” She whispered to herself.
Aria didn't make it home that night, but Sebastian stayed unbothered.
The next morning, at the hotel's rooftop terrace, a security guard came up to the rooftop to do a security check. He unlocked the huge padlock and stepped onto the terrace.
There in the open was Aria. She was lying on the cold concrete. Her skin had turned pale, and her lips were slightly parted, like she was still struggling to breathe.
The security guard hurried over to her. “Lady, can you hear me? How did you end up here? Hold on, I can carry you down to our emergency unit.”
But Aria suddenly grabbed his arm, “I'm okay. I'll leave on my own.” She breathed heavily.
She had hoped Sebastian would come searching for her.
But, of course. She had dreamt too big once again.
There was a time Jasmine had gone out without informing anyone, Sebastian had wasted no time filing a missing person report.
But now, Aria hadn't returned home the entire night and he didn't even bother to seek her whereabouts.
It hit her then, ‘So, this is the gap between being cherished and being tolerated.”
With the little strength she had left, Aria pushed herself up. She made her way out of the hotel and got on the first bus at the nearest bus stop, heading home.
She stared at her phone in silence. There was not a single message or missed call from Sebastian. But there were about twenty from Dante.
[I don't think I can do this any longer, Aria. One week. I will be there in one week to crash whatever life you've got with him and take you away for good. You should be ready.]
