The world stopped spinning.
Aria's phone felt cold against her ear, her breath trapped somewhere between her ribs and her throat. The voice on the other end, the one she'd spent years trying to remember, trying to forget, trying to mourn was unmistakable.
"Aria," the voice repeated, softer now. "You need to leave. They're coming back."
Her mother's voice.
But that was impossible.
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Her hand shook violently, the phone nearly slipping from her grip. Caspian stepped toward her instantly, his brows pulling together, his eyes scanning her face.
"Aria," he said, low and urgent. "Who is it? Who's on the phone?"
She couldn't answer him.
She couldn't breathe.
Rafael straightened beside the unconscious attacker, a frown forming. "What's wrong with her? She looks like she's about to pass out."
The voice came again, firmer this time.
"Aria. Listen to me carefully. Go out the front door. Not the back. They know you're in the building."
Aria finally managed a whisper.
"Mom?"
Caspian froze.
Rafael's head jerked up.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Her mother's voice exhaled softly, like a ghost pressing against glass.
"There's no time to explain. Do exactly as I say."
Aria felt tears sting her eyes. The hallway blurred. Her knees weakened.
"No," she whispered. "You're not… you can't be alive."
"Aria," the voice said gently, heartbreakingly familiar. "I never meant for you to be dragged into this. But you are. And I'm going to get you out."
Caspian stepped forward and took the phone from her trembling hand with a soft but unyielding grip. He pressed it to his ear.
"Who is this?" he demanded.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then…
"You look like your father."
Caspian went stone-still.
Rafael swore under his breath.
The woman continued, calm and emotionless.
"And you sound just like him when he was angry."
Caspian's jaw clenched. "Where are you?"
"Closer than you want me to be," she said. "But this isn't about you. Let Aria leave. They're almost there."
His voice dropped into something lethal. "If you think I'm letting you manipulate her…"
"I'm not manipulating her. I'm saving her. Something you should be doing instead of arguing with me."
His eyes flashed murder. "You have no idea what I'm doing."
"Oh, I do," she replied. "I've watched you for years, Caspian."
Aria felt her blood turn to ice.
Her mother had been watching them?
His voice sharpened.
"What do you want with her? Why take the notebook?"
Aria's stomach twisted.
The notebook.
Her mother's voice lowered, almost tender.
"I didn't take it for me. I took it to protect her. But you won't understand that until you read it."
"Then give it back," Caspian growled.
"I will. When it's safe."
A pause.
"But it won't be safe for long if you stay where you are."
Rafael stepped closer. "The boys outside—they're regrouping. I hear car doors."
Aria's breath hitched. Fear pulsed under her skin.
"Mom… please… just tell me where you are."
Her mother hesitated for the first time.
"I can't. Not yet."
"Why?" Aria whispered, voice breaking.
"Because if Caspian finds me," she said softly, "he'll kill me. Just like his family wants."
Aria's heart shattered.
"No," Aria said, shaking her head. "He wouldn't—"
"Aria." Her mother's tone shifted—gentle but edged with urgency. "You don't understand who he really is."
Caspian's breath punched out like he'd been stabbed.
"That is enough."
Her mother continued, ignoring him entirely.
"You need to leave the apartment. Now. Go out the front. There's a car waiting. White sedan. Don't get in the black one."
Rafael cursed. "There ARE two cars outside—one white, one black."
Aria swallowed hard. "Who's driving the white one?"
"Someone who won't hurt you."
"That's not an answer," He snapped.
Her mother exhaled. "You're running out of time."
Aria's voice shook.
"Why should I trust you now?"
Something in the woman's tone cracked.
"Because I'm the only reason you're alive today."
A loud thud echoed from downstairs.
Then another.
Caspian's head snapped toward the stairwell. "They're coming up."
Her mother's voice hardened.
"Aria, go."
The call disconnected.
Caspian threw the phone into Aria's hands. "We're leaving. Now."
Rafael grabbed the conscious attacker by the collar and dragged him with them. "I'll handle this one."
Aria's pulse hammered. "Is it really her?"
"I don't know," Caspian said, voice tight, "but I'm not letting you walk into her trap."
"She told the truth about the cars," Aria whispered.
"That doesn't make her safe."
The pounding from the stairwell grew louder.
He grabbed Aria's wrist, pulling her close, his face inches from hers.
"Listen to me. You stay behind me, no matter what. I don't care who calls. I don't care who claims to love you. I don't care what they promise."
His voice deepened, raw and fierce.
"I'm the one keeping you alive. Not her."
Aria inhaled sharply.
He cupped her cheek, just for a second, just long enough for her to feel the conflict burning behind his eyes.
Then,
He stepped forward.
Weapon drawn.
Body shielding hers.
Rafael kicked the stairwell door shut behind them, locking it.
And together…
they ran toward a truth none of them were ready for.
But it was already too late.
The next chapter of Aria's life had begun.
And there was no turning back.