The moment Aria stepped away from Raiden—
everything changed.
The air turned colder.
Heavier.
Like the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to break.
---
Raiden didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
His eyes were locked on her like she was the only thing keeping him alive—
And the only thing destroying him.
---
"Aria," he said again.
Not a command this time.
Not anger.
Something worse.
---
A warning.
---
But she couldn't look at him.
Because if she did—
She would go back.
And she couldn't afford that anymore.
---
Not after everything.
---
Il Principe smiled slowly, stepping closer to her like a man who already knew he had won.
"Smart girl," he murmured.
"Curiosity always leads to truth."
---
Raiden's voice cut through the room.
"Or to death."
---
Silence snapped.
---
Il Principe chuckled.
"Same thing, in your world."
---
Aria finally spoke.
"If you know the truth—say it."
---
He tilted his head.
"Not here."
---
Raiden stepped forward instantly.
"She's not leaving with you."
---
Il Principe didn't even look at him.
"That's not your decision anymore."
---
Wrong move.
---
Raiden snapped.
In one second, he had his gun raised—
aimed straight at Il Principe's head.
---
"Take another step," he said coldly,
"and I end this."
---
Guards moved.
Guns lifted.
The room filled with tension so sharp it could cut skin.
---
And right in the middle of it—
Aria stood.
---
"Stop."
---
That one word froze everyone.
---
She turned slowly.
Faced Raiden.
---
And for the first time—
There was distance in her eyes.
---
"You lied to me," she said quietly.
---
Raiden's grip on the gun tightened.
"I protected you."
---
"No," she shook her head.
"You decided for me."
---
He stepped closer.
"Because you weren't ready."
---
"I wasn't given a chance."
---
Silence.
---
Pain flickered in his eyes.
Real.
Raw.
Dangerous.
---
"You think going with him gives you answers?" he asked.
---
Aria looked at Il Principe.
Then back at Raiden.
---
"I think staying with you gives me half-truths."
---
That hit.
Hard.
---
For a second—
Raiden almost broke.
---
Then his expression turned cold again.
Controlled.
Deadly.
---
"If you walk out that door with him…"
his voice dropped, dark and final,
"…you don't come back."
---
The words echoed.
---
Aria's chest tightened.
But she didn't step back.
---
Instead—
She stepped away.
---
From him.
---
Raiden didn't stop her this time.
Didn't grab her.
Didn't fight.
---
Because something inside him already knew—
Forcing her would only lose her faster.
---
Il Principe opened the door.
Gestured.
---
"After you."
---
Aria walked.
Each step heavier than the last.
---
But just before she crossed the threshold—
She paused.
---
Just for a second.
---
Raiden saw it.
That hesitation.
That crack.
---
Hope.
---
"Aria," he said softly.
---
She closed her eyes.
---
Then walked out.
---
The door shut.
---
And the silence that followed—
Was louder than gunfire.
---
Raiden stood there for a long time.
Gun still in his hand.
Heart no longer steady.
---
Then—
He lowered it.
---
Slowly.
---
Luca stepped forward.
"You're just going to let her go?"
---
Raiden's jaw tightened.
---
"No."
---
His voice was calm now.
Too calm.
---
"Because wherever he takes her…"
He picked up his coat.
Loaded another magazine into his gun.
---
"…is exactly where I'll end him."
---
Outside—
The sky darkened.
Storm rolling in.
---
And somewhere in Milan—
Aria stepped into a car with the devil.
---
Not knowing—
She just started the most dangerous chapter of her life.
---
End of Chapter 36