HER FACE, MY WIFE'S SHADOW

Chapter 10: Time To Escape

Aria's POV

I ran towards the direction of my room, tears streaming down my face. I could hear Mila’s voice calling my name in the hallway.

I couldn't stop. I burst into my room, locking it.

A few seconds later, the door rattled under Mila’s frantic knocking. "Aria! Please, open the door."

My legs carried me, almost against my will, to the vanity. I leaned heavily on the marble top and forced myself to look. I traced the curve of my jaw and the line of my lips with trembling fingers.

"No," I whispered, the word hitching in my throat.

Earlier, while I was in my room, I was about to eat the food the maid brought when I heard a woman shouting Isabella's name.

Out of curiosity, I left the room without even peeping through the window to see how the situation was.

That was my first mistake. Otherwise, I would’ve shown my face.

If Mr Sterling had allowed us to leave with Ethan and Mark back to the US in the first place, this couldn't have happened.

I threw open the wardrobe, grabbing my clothes in messy armfuls and shoving them into my suitcase.

When I finally zipped my bag, I opened the door. Mila was still right there leaning on the wall.

The moment she saw me, she threw her arms around me, holding on as if I were the only thing keeping her grounded.

"Aria," she cried out, pulling back to look at me. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine, Mila. But we are leaving tonight." I kept my voice low, my eyes darting toward the hallway. "Pack your things. Quickly."

Mila’s eyes widened. "How? The house is guarded with heavy security, Aria.”

“We’ll never make it. What if those men catch us on the way to the airport?"

"I have a plan," I said with confidence, even though my heart was pounding. "Just go."

"Aria..." Mila hesitated. "That woman? His mother was so certain about everything. "If what she said is true, then Isabella was a monster.”

She shook her head, a tear escaping her eye. 'It makes perfect sense why she met such an end the way she did. I knew you weren't her. You wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone a human being."

"That’s exactly why we have to go, Mila," I said. "We aren't safe here. If his own mother is willing to pull a trigger in broad daylight, what will the rest of his family do?”

“I escaped death today, but I won't be that lucky when the next family member arrives."

Mila nodded, a new resolve flickering in her eyes. "Okay. I’ll be ready." She walked away.

I double-check my belongings. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching my room.

I lunged for my suitcase, hiding it deep under the bed just as the door creaked open.

"Aria."

It was Alexander.

He walked in, and for the first time, the cold, arrogant mask he usually wore was cracked. He looked... worried.

"I need to be alone." My voice was tight as I lay down on the bed, turning my back to him and pulling the duvet up like a shield.

"I… I'm sorry, Aria. For everything that happened today," he said softly.

Sorry?

Oh, how fascinating. So the cold billionaire possesses the capacity to apologise.

"My mother... She's grieving. She lost a son, and she’s looking for someone to blame. But I promise you, Isabella had nothing to do with my brother’s death."

I squeezed my eyes shut beneath the duvet.

I understood the pain of losing a loved one all too well. My own father… he lost his life when I was merely a seven-year-old child. That dark day was the moment I got the little scar on my chin – while riding my bicycle at breakneck speed to meet him.

I opened my eyes. I could comprehend his mother's pain, but a state of grieving did not grant a human being the legal right to execute an innocent life in broad daylight.

In the reflection of the side mirror, I could see him. His hair was messy, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and his golden-brown eyes were clouded with pain.

For a second, a part of my mind actually wanted to believe the sincerity in his voice. But then I thought of New York and my family.

"I said leave. Please."

"I’ve doubled the security," his voice shifted instantly, the warmth vanishing into a cold, commanding tone.

"I’ll be away for one day to settle things with my grandfather. Don't try anything foolish while I’m gone."

Double the security. My heart sank.

He remained standing in the silence of the room for what felt like eternity.

Assuming I had drifted off to sleep, his footsteps quietly crossed the floor towards the bed. I quickly closed my eyes, pretending to be in deep slumber as I felt the mattress dip slightly under his weight.

A moment later, the bedroom door clicked shut, and he was gone.

Quickly, I threw the duvet aside, standing from the bed, and ran to the window, pulling the curtain back just enough to see.

Below, Alexander and Williams climbed into a black Jeep. The engine purred to life, and the vehicle glided toward the gate.

This was it. Time to escape.