Chapter 109
“Oh my goodness. I haven’t had cake in a very long time,” I said, moaning as I closed my eyes, savoring the soft sweetness of vanilla and cream.
The fluffy texture melted on my tongue, and I almost felt tears prick my eyes again, this time out of pure, simple happiness. Not as if I was starved, just these days, I hardly get hungry with all the shit going on around me.
Carmen laughed softly, shaking her head. “You always had a thing for sugar, Aria. Some things never change.” “Well, lately, I haven’t exactly been allowed these simple pleasures,” I murmured, licking frosting off my fingertip. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “Forbidden cake tastes even better, doesn’t it?”
I giggled, a genuine sound bubbling up from deep inside me. “You have no idea.”
We sat cross legged on her worn couch, plates balanced on our knees, crumbs scattering across our laps. It was messy, casual exactly what I needed. Carmen had always known how to turn even the darkest moments into something lighter. Her laughter was contagious, her energy bright and comforting.
“Remember that time we baked cupcakes for your mom’s birthday?” Carmen asked, eyes twinkling.
I groaned, laughing through my embarrassment. “The oven caught fire! How could I forget?”
“Exactly! We were panicking and screaming, your mom running in with that fire extinguisher, shouting, ‘Who let you two near my kitchen?”
We both dissolved into laughter, and for a moment, everything else faded the mansion, Dominic, my fears everything outside these four walls ceased to exist.
“It felt good,” I admitted softly when our laughter finally calmed. “Doing normal things again. Laughing like this.” Carmen nudged me gently. “You’re allowed to laugh, Aria. You’re allowed to live, too.”
I sighed, setting my plate down. “It’s not that easy.”
Her expression softened, eyes full of understanding. “But what if it could be?”
I looked at her sharply, heart thudding. “What do you mean?”
Carmen took a deep breath, leaning forward slightly. Her voice lowered, more serious now. “Aria, you’re not the only one who’s worried about you. I’ve been hearing things. People at the club, rumors… There are people who want to help.”
My breath caught. “What kind of people?”
She hesitated, her eyes darting to the closed curtains as if checking for shadows. “People who understand how dangerous your world has become. People who have gotten out, who’ve found safety.”
My pulse quickened. “Are you saying there’s a way for me to leave?”
Carmen reached for my hand, gripping it tightly. “Yes. There’s a safe house, away from Dominic, away from Mikael. Far enough that neither could find you.”
I stared at our joined hands, my heart suddenly pounding loud enough to drown out every other sound. “Carmen, you don’t know Dominic. You don’t know what he’d do to find me.”
She squeezed my fingers, her gaze steady, determined. “Aria, I’ve seen enough. I see what it’s doing to you. You deserve freedom.”
“But the cancer,” I whispered. “My treatments, everything…”
“That’s all been arranged,” she said quickly. “There are doctors good doctors willing to continue your treatments, off the grid.”
I felt hope rise, painful and sharp, pressing against the fear that had anchored me for too long. “It sounds like a dream.” “It’s not,” Carmen insisted softly, eyes fierce. “It’s a choice. Yours. You can choose your own path.”
My throat tightened. “Dominic would never let me go.”
“Dominic doesn’t own your future, Aria. He doesn’t own your choices.”
“It’s not just him,” I admitted shakily. “There’s Nico, Emilia… everyone’s involved. It feels impossible.”
She held my gaze firmly. “You’re not alone. And
Silence stretched between us, heavy and fragile held me back.
to say yes, to leap at the lifeline she was offering, but fear
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“You don’t have to decide right now,” Carmen said gently, sensing my hesitation. “Just think about it, okay?”
I nodded slowly, my mind spinning with possibilities. “Thank you.“)
1/2
Chapter 110
“Always,” she whispered, smiling warmly. “Now, let’s finish this cake and pretend, just for a little longer, that we’re simply two friends having a normal day.”
I smiled back, breathing easier. “I’d like that.”
She forked a piece of moist chocolate cake into her mouth and moaned dramatically. “God, I swear, if I die tomorrow, let it be from this.”
I laughed softly. “Honestly ? Same. It’s almost worth it.”
I haven’t laughed in a while. Feel at peace. Sometimes you don’t need mansion, cars and everything to feel happy. The tiny
moments matters.
She didn’t bring up my parents death. I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. She just made me feel at home after she apologized for not letting them stay with her but allowing Dominic to take them.
But it’s fine. It’s in the past now and all that matters is the present.
Then Carmen paused, fork mid–air, her eyes going wide like she suddenly remembered something. “Oh! Oh shit. I forgot, there’s something I need to tell you.”
I blinked, instantly alert. “What?”
She leaned closer, voice lowering. “There’s someone in Dominic’s circle. One of his trusted people. They’re working with Mikael.”
My spine stiffened. “Are you sure?”
She nodded grimly. “I didn’t believe it at first either. But I overheard something. A phone call. It was short, but Mikael’s name was said–and whoever answered didn’t sound like they were warning Dominic. They sounded like they were reporting.”
My heart clenched. “Do you know who?”
“No. Just that it’s a man. That much I’m sure of.”
I tried to breathe through the twist in my chest. “Apart from Emilia… I don’t know who could possibly be betraying him.” Carmen’s gaze was steady. “Emilia’s not the one. She’s loyal to you. I don’t think she gives a damn about Dominic, honestly. But this? This is deeper.”
I stared down at my empty teacup, the words echoing.
A man.
It narrowed things down… and yet it didn’t. They all wore suits. They all carried guns. They all watched me like I was a package to protect–or a ticking bomb.
“You need to be careful,” Carmen said gently. “Whatever game they’re playing, you’re in the middle of it.”
“I know.”
But knowing didn’t make it easier. Knowing didn’t make the nightmares stop or the ache in my chest feel less like a dull blade being twisted daily.
I blinked fast, forcing the burn away, and reached for my glass of tea. “Let’s talk about something else. Please.”
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Chapter 111
Chapter 111