Aria
"Do you think you can run away from me? I'm Damon…" he started, but froze when he saw Ethan.
His lips trembled, and his eyes widened. "Ethan Wanton?" he said loudly, stepping back.
"Who is he to you?" Ethan asked, staring at me with a protective glare.
"Oh my… Ethan, it's… an honor to meet you again like this," Damon stammered, trying to explain.
"Aria, who is this man to you?" Ethan repeated, his voice sharper this time.
"He's my husband," I said politely, forcing a calm smile. "Yes, he's the one who caused my injuries, but we'll handle it ourselves."
"So you call him a husband? Wow… fine. I'll leave it to you two," Ethan muttered, stepping outside, visibly furious.
"Wait… what's going on? Why is Ethan her—" Damon started, confused.
"Do you know him?" I asked, eyes narrowing.
"You're more clueless than I thought! Don't you know Ethan Wanton?" Damon snapped, shaking his head.
"Is he… a thug?" I asked nervously.
"Cut the nonsense! Tell me why he brought you here. Someone like him, helping a pig like you at a hospital? Unbelievable! Unless… you sold your organs to him?" Damon laughed, his tone turning maniacal. He grabbed my neck suddenly, making me gasp for air.
"Yes! Why didn't I think of this sooner?" Damon cackled. "I'm going to—"
But before he could finish, Ethan stormed back into the room, eyes blazing with fury.
"You trash don't deserve such a woman! Death is what you deserve!" Ethan shouted, grabbing Damon by the collar. Damon started begging for mercy.
"One word, Aria, and I swear I'll end him," Ethan said, his red eyes locking on mine. I felt a chill run through me.
"Stop it, Ethan!" I shouted, panic rising. Ethan let go, both of them panting heavily.
"Aria… see you at home," Ethan said, then stormed out without another word.
I sank into a chair, shaking. "Why did you marry someone like him?" Ethan's voice called back to me from the doorway.
"He… he wasn't like this," I whispered, sighing.
"Still in love with him?" Ethan asked, his tone hard but hurt.
"Yes," I admitted, my voice barely audible.
"Still going to him?"
"Yes," I said again.
"You're insane, Aria!"
"I know," I muttered, letting out a bitter chuckle.
But before I could think further, my phone buzzed violently on the table. I picked it up and froze. The screen showed a picture of Damon torturing someone, and a message:
"You're next."
I dropped the phone, my heart pounding. Something told me this was far from over…