"To-be-fiancée", Stella said and pulled the girl.
Wait! Did Stephen said they are the Gail's.
That means my uncle is one of their relative.
"Hi, Mr. Valle. She's my daughter- Fiona Gail.", her mother introduced Fiona.
"Stella, Mr. Stephen. I want to discuss something.", I signaled them to move back.
"Fine then, we will go inside and book a seat.", Fiona's parents said.
"Wait here and control your anger.", I instructed Aria and moved aside.
I knew they had planned this but I still had not given my consent.
"What's this? Are you serious?", I looked towards Stella and Stephen.
" Yes, I know she belongs to Gail family so you have question but believe me, she is one of my friend and also a nice girl. She will be a nice wife and she has no close relations with your uncle so rest assured, your marriage will be flawless.", Stella spoke like pressuring me.
Before I could ask Stephen about this melodrama...
I heard someone shout...
We turned back, only to see Fiona on the ground and Aria in front of her.
We ran towards them...
Meanwhile her parents also came outside. They helped Fiona stand up.
"What's going on?", I pulled Aria by her hand.
"I did nothing, she is just planning a conspiracy to accuse me.", Aria whispered.
"She pushed me.", Fiona started sobbing.
Stella immediately hugged her.
BFF'S?
Stella then stepped forward, stared at me and then ran towards Aria. I knew she was going to hurt her.
I moved forward, pulled Aria, and we both fell down and rolled like a spinning can. And as Stella wanted to attack on Aria but failed, Stella fell on the ground hard, with a great force.
We got up and Stephen helped Stella.
"Come on! Why is she here!!!! Just leave her wherever she wants to go! Maybe leave her in the hell.", Stella shouted in anger.
"Why don't you come along with me to the hell.", Aria said calmly.
"You orphan! Shut up, have some shame...", Fiona shouted, but how did she knew about Aria?
Aria moved back as soon as she heard them.
"Fiona, behave properly, she is your friend.", her mother patted her.
"It's fine aunt, it's okay. I am sorry. I'll take my leave, I am felling unwell.", Aria said as she stared the road.
And she ran out.
"Aria...Stop...", I ran towards her but suddenly...
"She is just a classmate and I am your fiancée. Why not join in?", Fiona held my hand. Her other hand on my elbow.
"Get away.", I ordered coldly, and pushed her.
"She is my friend and is going to be your fiancée, behave Lucian.", Stella shouted.
I moved towards Stella, my body refused to stop. My steps were firm.
I held Stella's neck and twisted her hand, " So now my secretary will tell me how to behave?" I pushed her back, she was not able to breathe properly.
I moved forward. "This engagement is cancelled forever. Now don't ever show me your face.", I shot a death glare to Fiona.
And moved out...
Stephen and Stella followed me.
We searched around the restaurant. Nearby places and called Aria many times but the only answer on the phone came was... THE PHONE IS SWITCHED OFF.
We returned to the castle.
"Why? What's the problem? You have changed Lucian. At first you never used to care about others and now, even if I say a word to that stupid girl, you choked me? You never used to bother and join us, on whatever we planned, even if you refused later but now look at yourself. You changed but why Lucian why?", Stella shook me.
I pushed her back and went to my room, I stood on the balcony...
No... I never changed.
And it is all because I just have to take her to her grandmother, that's it. I will never change. Not for a random girl.
I went downstairs again...
Stella and Stephen were still there sitting on the sofa.
I took the keys of my car..."I'll search for her, hand me the umbrella it's raining. And I am also taking the car." I said coldly.
"You've lost your mind, Lucian!" Stella yelled, her voice echoing through the hall.
"No," I said quietly, turning to face her. "I just need to do what's important"
"She's not worth it!"
"Neither are you," I cut her off.
The rain had started — soft at first, then merciless.I drove through the empty streets, headlights cutting through the fog. Every turn, every shadow felt like horror.I called again — still switched off."You wanted to leave, didn't you?" I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
I tracked down her phone and drove to the last location visible...
I got off.
An abandoned building? What was she even doing here?
I took the umbrella and moved forward...
No one was around, I think there's no use of going inside this building.
I was about to turn back when something caught my eye — a silver bracelet, half-buried in the dirt.Her bracelet.My hand froze. My chest didn't.
I picked it up. She must've dropped it while running.For a second, I just stood there — silent, still, and completely lost.
"Aria…" I whispered, her name tasting like regret.
My mind screamed to call her again, to find her, but my pride whispered louder.I slipped the bracelet into my pocket. "If you want to leave, fine," I muttered, though every word hurt.
When I got back to the mansion, everything was too quiet. Stella had locked herself in her room, and Stephen was pretending to scroll through his phone — avoiding my eyes.
"Any news?" I asked coldly.
"No, sir. She's still unreachable."
I nodded, forcing a calm I didn't feel. My fingers brushed against the bracelet in my pocket again.And for the first time in years… I felt fear.
Not fear of losing control, not fear of my enemies —but fear of losing her.
That night, I couldn't sleep. I turned and stared out the window. "Where the hell are you, Aria?"
Somewhere in the darkness, a car engine roared. Headlights flashed across the driveway.
Stephen rushed to the door. "Sir… you might want to see this."
I stepped out — and froze.
The car door opened, and a man stepped out, holding Aria in his arms — unconscious, blood staining the edge of her dress.
"Who did this!!!!!", I exclaimed