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The silence between them was thick, heavy with unspoken words and emotions they both were afraid to confront. Raiden had taken a step back, but his eyes never left her, as if he were trying to memorize every detail of her face. It was as if everything that had happened in the past few hours hadn't really happened at all — just a blur of adrenaline, fear, and rage.
Aria couldn't bring herself to look at him directly. She was too shaken. Her heart was still pounding in her chest, her fingers trembling despite her efforts to steady herself. Giovanni's words kept echoing in her mind. You'll regret this… You can't hide from me forever…
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she thought about what he had said. How did he know so much? How had he gotten so close? Had there been someone else involved? She had so many questions, but the answers seemed like they were just out of reach.
"Aria," Raiden's voice cut through her thoughts, his tone softer now, more genuine. "We need to get out of here. Giovanni won't give up that easily. We'll be safer at the mansion. Let me—"
"I'm not going anywhere with you," she interrupted, her voice sharp as she finally turned to face him. "I don't trust you. Not yet."
Raiden didn't flinch, didn't even try to hide the hurt that flashed briefly in his eyes. "I get it," he said quietly. "You don't trust me. You've been through hell, and you have every right to be cautious. But I'm trying to help you. I'm not Giovanni."
She shook her head, unable to stop the rush of anger and frustration that bubbled to the surface. "Giovanni is the devil. But you…" Her voice faltered as she searched for the right words. "You're just as dangerous. You live in the shadows, just like him. I don't know who you really are."
The words cut deeper than she had intended. She saw Raiden stiffen, his jaw tightening as he took a step back, clearly struggling to hold his emotions in check. But then, his expression softened, and he let out a long, exasperated sigh. "I never asked for this life, Aria. I never wanted any of it."
His honesty caught her off guard. For the first time, she saw the man beneath the mask, the one who had been playing this game for far too long, probably longer than he ever cared to admit. There was more to Raiden than the cold, calculating exterior he presented to the world.
"Then what do you want?" she asked, her voice quiet, a hint of vulnerability slipping through the cracks in her defenses.
Raiden didn't answer immediately. Instead, he ran a hand through his dark hair, his gaze distant as he processed her question. When he spoke again, his voice was rough, almost like he was confessing something he had kept buried for far too long.
"I want to survive, Aria. That's all I've ever wanted. But if it means keeping you safe, if it means protecting you from everything I've gotten myself involved in… then I'll do whatever it takes."
There was something raw in his eyes now, a depth of emotion that made her heart twist. But still, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of distrust that lingered. She had been betrayed before — first by Giovanni, and then by herself for ever trusting him. How could she be so sure that Raiden wasn't just another part of the same game?
"You don't owe me anything," she said, her voice quieter now, almost too soft for him to hear. "You don't have to protect me."
Raiden took a step closer, his gaze locking with hers. "I do. And I will. Whether you like it or not."
For a moment, the air between them crackled with tension. She could feel the heat of his body close to hers, his presence overwhelming her senses. But there was something else too, something that couldn't be ignored. The undeniable pull, the connection that had been growing between them since the moment their lives had collided.
Aria took a deep breath and tried to steady herself. "I don't need you to fight my battles, Raiden. I can do that myself."
Raiden's lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "I never said you couldn't. But sometimes, even the strongest of us need help."
His words struck a chord deep within her. It wasn't that she didn't want his help — it was that she didn't want to owe anyone. Not him. Not Giovanni. No one.
"Then what do we do now?" she asked, her voice thick with emotion.
Raiden's gaze softened, his expression unreadable. "We fight. Together."
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The drive to the mansion was long, the night air cold and biting, but Aria barely noticed. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, swirling with uncertainty. Giovanni had threatened her, but that wasn't what scared her most. It was the fact that she didn't know who she could trust anymore. Giovanni had always been the monster she knew — cruel, calculating, and relentless. But Raiden… he was a different kind of danger. He was too close. Too real. And that scared her even more.
When they arrived, Raiden didn't say much. He simply led her inside, where the mansion was as quiet as ever, the only sound the echo of their footsteps on the marble floors.
"Get some rest," Raiden said quietly as he turned toward the door. "I'll keep watch."
Aria nodded, but she couldn't sleep. Not yet. Not when she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, not when she knew that the storm was only just beginning.
In the stillness of the mansion, Aria found herself standing in front of a mirror, staring at the reflection of the woman she had become. She was no longer the naive girl who had walked into this world blind to its dangers. She was something else now — something stronger. But was it enough to survive the war that was coming?
Only time would tell.
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To be continued…
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