The sound of camera flashes filled the air like tiny explosions.
Aria tried her best not to flinch as she stood beside Sebastian on the tall marble steps of the grand hotel. The lights were too bright, blinding her eyes and making her head ache, but she had no choice. She smiled, though it was not real. Her smile was shaky, the corners of her lips trembling as if they wanted to fall.
Sebastian's hand was tight on her waist. It was not the gentle kind of hold a loving husband would give his wife. No, it was strong, almost painful, like a trap. She knew if she moved even a little, his grip would tighten more. To the cameras, it looked perfect. But she knew the truth.
"Mr. and Mrs. Moretti!" a reporter shouted from the crowd, pushing his microphone forward. "There are rumors of a fight after last night's gala. Can you comment?"
Sebastian leaned close to her, his mouth near her ear, and whispered through his teeth. "Smile wider. Or you will regret it later."
Aria's stomach twisted like it was filled with knots. She forced her lips to stretch, even though her heart was not in it. Her face became the picture of a happy, rich wife standing by her successful husband. And the cameras loved it. They snapped photos quickly, shouting, laughing, and cheering.
Sebastian raised one hand like he was a king silencing a crowd, and everyone stopped at once. His voice came out smooth, like a trained actor on stage. "My wife and I thank you all for being here," he said, pulling Aria closer. "Rumors? Oh, you know how people like to talk. Every marriage has its passion. Ours is no different."
Some reporters laughed. Some even clapped.
Aria swallowed hard. The words she truly wanted to speak sat in her throat like burning fire, but she could not let them out. She knew what would happen if she did.
Then another reporter pushed forward. "Mrs. Moretti," he shouted, "is it true you said, 'I'm not yours' during the gala?"
The question pierced the air like a sharp knife.
The crowd surged closer, their cameras snapping more. The world seemed to tilt.
Aria froze.
Sebastian's fingers dug into her ribs, his nails almost breaking her skin. She struggled to breathe.
And then, her eyes searched the crowd. Among all the flashing lights and greedy faces, she saw someone.
Lorenzo.
He was half-hidden at the back, wearing a black cap pulled low, but she knew it was him. She felt his eyes. They were fixed on her, steady, strong, almost daring her not to break.
Her heart stumbled in her chest. He was here. Watching.
Sebastian's poisonous whisper returned: "Say it was a joke."
Aria's nails pressed into her palm until they nearly cut her skin. She forced her voice to stay calm, even though inside she was shaking. "Of course," she said to the press. "It was just a joke. A slip of the tongue. My husband and I are very much in love."
The reporters clapped, the cameras snapped more, and the crowd believed the lie. To them, Aria and Sebastian were the perfect couple. But Aria knew, it was only a mask.
When they finally entered the waiting car, Sebastian's mask slipped away.
The door slammed shut, cutting out the noise of the reporters. Silence filled the car.
Then….slap!
Sebastian's hand struck her cheek so hard that Aria's head turned to the side. Her vision blurred, and she tasted blood in her mouth.
"You humiliated me," Sebastian said, his voice cold and calm like ice.
Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She stared at him with anger she could no longer hide. "You humiliate yourself."
His jaw tightened. He lifted his hand again, ready to strike, but this time he stopped. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, breathing through his teeth. "Do you think anyone can save you? Do you think your little stray dog can protect you?"
Her chest tightened. He had seen Lorenzo. He knew.
The car stopped at their huge estate. As the driver opened the door, Sebastian's fake smile returned. He stepped out and helped Aria as if he was the most caring husband in the world. To outsiders, he was perfect. But inside, behind the closed doors, the walls of their home shook with his anger.
In the bedroom, he slammed the door.
"You will never embarrass me again," he said, his voice trembling with rage.
Aria's heart pounded. "You embarrassed yourself, Sebastian. Everyone saw it last night."
His eyes burned. He stepped forward, trapping her against the wall. His hand pressed hard on her collarbone, pinning her there.
"You belong to me," he hissed.
Her breathing was rough, fast. Fear coiled in her chest, but deep inside, something stronger rose, defiance.
"Then kill me," she spat. "Because that's the only way you'll keep me."
For a second, he froze. The room went still. Then he laughed, cruel and soft.
"Oh, Aria," he whispered, "you think you're brave. But you are not. You're trapped. And you'll stay trapped. Because without me… you're nothing."
He stepped back, his voice calm again. "Tomorrow, we'll attend the charity gala. You'll wear the sapphire dress. You'll smile. And you'll remind the world you're mine."
When he left the room, slamming the door, Aria collapsed to the floor. Her cheek still burned from his slap. She pressed her hand against it, tears sliding down her face now that she was alone.
Her mind screamed: I can't do this anymore.
Then, her phone buzzed.
A message. Unknown number.
"Leave the door unlocked. Midnight."
Her heart stopped.
It was him. Lorenzo.
Midnight.
The house was quiet, covered in shadows. Aria sat on her bed, listening to every sound, her chest rising and falling quickly.
Then, the click of her door.
Lorenzo slipped inside, dressed in black, his eyes sharp and burning.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt alive, like fire.
"You shouldn't be here," Aria whispered.
He came closer in two steps. His hand brushed her cheek gently, touching the mark Sebastian had left. His voice was low, dangerous. "He did this to you?"
Aria's breath hitched. She nodded.
Rage filled Lorenzo's eyes. His jaw clenched tight. "I'll kill him."
Aria grabbed his wrist quickly. "No."
Their eyes locked, her pulse racing.
"If you kill him," she whispered, "he wins. He will always win. He wants me trapped. He wants me destroyed. And if you kill him… then I will still belong to him, even in death."
Lorenzo's breathing was heavy. His hand slid into hers. "Then run with me. Tonight."
Aria's chest tightened. Freedom stood before her, but fear held her back.
"I can't," she whispered.
"Yes, you can," Lorenzo said, fierce. "If you stay, he will destroy you."
Her eyes watered. She pulled her hand away, stepping back. Her voice broke as she said, "And if I go with you, you will destroy me too."
The words hurt both of them.
Silence followed, heavy like a storm waiting to break.
Then, footsteps.
Sebastian.
Aria froze.
Lorenzo's eyes flicked to the door. He touched her arm softly, a quick promise, then disappeared into the shadows just as the handle turned.
The door opened.
Sebastian stood there, his smile thin and sharp. He looked around the room, suspicion in his eyes. "Talking to yourself, darling?"
Aria forced a smile. "Yes. I was practicing my smile for tomorrow."
For a moment, Sebastian studied her. Her heart nearly stopped. But then he smirked. "Good girl."
He closed the door behind him.
Aria collapsed onto the bed, her chest heaving.
The cage was cracking.
And soon, it would shatter.