"Oh my goodness, Aria…" Aunt Martha voiced out, her own eyes filling with tears as they rolled down her cheeks. She pulled Aria even closer, cradling her against her chest as though trying to shield her from the world itself. "It's okay, child… it's okay," she murmured softly, her voice full of warmth and reassurance as her hand moved gently up and down Aria's back.
Aria shook her head weakly, clutching onto Aunt Martha's clothes as if letting go would make everything fall apart. "Damien wants me dead, Aunt," she said in a trembling voice, her words breaking apart with fear. "He hates me… he despises me. And if he ever finds out that I gave birth to his children…" She paused, swallowing hard as fresh tears streamed down her face. "He'll definitely end their lives. He would never accept children from someone like me...someone he hates this much. He'll come after them… I know he will."
