โค๏ธ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ 16: ๐ป๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐ โค๏ธ
440 Words
The golden ring lay in Adrian's trembling hand.
His piercing blue eyes never left the engraved initials.
A.C.
Aria stepped closer.
"You said it belonged to your father."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"It never left his finger..."
"...until the night he disappeared."
Damien stared at the ring in disbelief.
"No..."
"That's impossible."
---
Ethan carefully picked up the ring.
"Sir, should I send it to the forensic lab?"
Adrian's eyes remained fixed on it.
"Immediately."
Ethan nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Just then, another member of the security team rushed into the warehouse.
"Sir!"
Adrian looked up.
"We've searched the entire building."
"And?"
"Damien's men have been arrested..."
"...but the sniper escaped."
Damien clenched his fists.
"He wasn't one of my men."
Adrian frowned.
"Then who was he?"
Damien lowered his gaze.
"I don't know."
---
Outside the warehouse...
Police officers escorted the captured kidnappers into waiting vehicles.
Rain continued to pour.
Aria stood quietly beneath a large umbrella.
Her hands were still shaking.
Adrian walked over and draped his jacket across her shoulders.
"You're freezing."
She looked at him.
"I'm fine."
"No."
His voice softened.
"You're not."
For the first time since they'd met...
Aria didn't argue.
Instead...
She rested her head against his shoulder.
Just for a moment.
Adrian smiled faintly.
"I've got you."
---
Across the street...
Hidden inside a parked black sedan...
Someone watched them.
The mysterious sniper lowered his binoculars.
"They're getting closer."
A woman sitting beside him folded her arms.
"Should we eliminate the girl now?"
The sniper shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because she doesn't know the truth."
He started the engine.
"And until she remembers..."
"...she's more useful alive."
The car disappeared into the night.
---
The following morning...
Knight Mansion was unusually quiet.
Mrs. Collins had finally returned home after the doctor confirmed she was well enough to leave.
Aria packed a small bag.
Adrian noticed.
"You're leaving?"
She smiled gently.
"My mother needs me."
He hesitated.
"Then let me send security with you."
"I don't want to trouble you anymore."
"It's not trouble."
Their eyes met.
Before either of them could speak again...
Ethan rushed into the living room.
"Sir!"
Adrian immediately stood.
"What happened?"
"The forensic lab has finished examining the ring."
"And?"
Ethan swallowed hard.
"There were fingerprints on the inside."
Adrian frowned.
"Whose?"
Ethan looked from Adrian to Aria.
"The report says..."
"...the fingerprints belong to..."
"...Aria Collins."
The room fell silent.
Aria's face turned pale.
"What...?"
"I've never even seen that ring before."
Adrian stared at her, equally shocked.
If Aria had never touched the ring...
Then why were her fingerprints on it?
โก๏ธ ๐ป๐ ๐ฉ๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
... โก๏ธ
- Writer
