Nathalia’s POV
I know that the time will come when Aries and I will see each other again. But I didn’t expect our paths to cross again in this manner.
My attention shifted to Cole as he suddenly got out of the car and quickly walked towards my position. He opened the door and firmly grabbed my arm before dragging me out of the car.
My mouth gaped open, unable to believe it, as I looked up at him. This is not the Cole that I used to know.
The Cole I know is sweet, caring, and gentle. He likes to crack jokes, even if they’re corny, and sing, even if his voice isn’t in tune.
“C-Cole, what’s happening?” I was interrupted as Aries suddenly interjected.
“Oh, come on! Big brother! You don’t have to be so harsh on her,” he said before he sighed and his expression turned somber as he glanced at me.
My eyes widened at what I heard. Surprised, I shifted my gaze between the two of them. “Big brother? What did he mean?”
Cole’s gaze was coldly fixed on me. It wasn’t like before, when his eyes seemed to always carry a smile.
“Seriously? Do I really need to explain it to you?”
I felt a shiver down my spine due to the coldness of his tone. My vision also started to blur as tears welled up in my eyes.
The feeling of being betrayed again by someone I trusted was painful.
But I still couldn’t believe that Cole could betray us. I felt his sincerity throughout the time we were together. I was sure that something must have happened for him to turn against Stephen.
I took his hand and gently stroked it. He flinched because of what I did.
“Cole, you don’t need to do this. I don’t know what kind of threat he used against you to make you conspire with him. But I believe that you have a reason for doing this. You don’t need to pretend to be his brother. You—”
I nearly jumped in surprise as he suddenly pulled his hand away.
“Believe whatever you want to believe. I’m not forcing you.”
He shrugged before he once again dragged me and threw me to Aries, who quickly caught me by the shoulders.
“You take care of her now. I already did my job. You both better leave because they’re probably onto the truth by now,” he said, starting to walk towards one of the waiting cars.
“Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll take care of everything from now on. You can take a break if you want,” Aries added.
Cole just raised his middle finger before he got into the car and sped away.
I stared as the distant vehicle drove away. Until now, I still can’t fully comprehend what made him choose to give me up and leave me with Aries.
Aside from that, I find it hard to believe the new truth I’ve just discovered. I’ve known Aries since childhood, and I’ve never known of any siblings of his.
So how did it happen that they were siblings?
I bit my lower lip as I felt the throbbing in my head. I’ve uncovered too much today, and I don’t know what else to think. I haven’t even fully processed what I learned about my family, and now this.
What else is there? What else do I not know? Do they find joy in making me look foolish?
I flinched as Aries suddenly placed his hand on my cheek. I quickly turned my face away just as he was about to caress it again.
“Why so cold, Nathalia? Don’t you miss me?” He smirked.
I gave him a glare. “Fuck you!”
He laughed before gripping me tightly by the hand. “Don’t worry. Because I will fucking fuck you senseless, and that will make you want for more!” His devilish laughter filled the air.
My entire body went cold because of what he said. My heartbeat accelerated even more, as if, at any moment, it might just break free from its confines.
No. There’s no way in hell that I will let him touch my body. I’d rather choose death over letting him take advantage of me.
I quickly scanned my surroundings. I need to escape and get back to Stephen. He probably already knows what happened and is likely worried by now.
“Now, be a good girl and come with me.”
He signaled his men to get ready. He was about to drag me away when, without hesitation, I grabbed his arm and twisted it with all my strength. His men were alerted, quickly raising their guns towards me.
But I didn’t succumb to fear. Because if I let fear control me, I’d only lose the chance to escape from this demon.
“Don‘t—fuck!” he shouted at his men before I elbowed him hard in the back and punched him in the face.
I didn’t waste any more time. I immediately sprinted away from him and headed straight for the forest.
I knew I might suddenly fall to the ground if they started raining bullets on me. But I was sure they wouldn’t disobey Aries’ orders.
So, I didn’t bother looking back and just kept running. There were moments when I almost slipped due to the downward slope of the path, and I got scratched a few times from protruding branches, but I didn’t mind any of it.
“Nathalia! Don’t push yourself any further! You don’t have a husband to go back to anyway, as he’s probably playing with death right now alongside his friends!”
I was momentarily stunned by Aries’ words. I suddenly felt anxiety and a tightness in my chest.
Not my husband and his friends, please! Too many people have already been affected because of me!
“Nathalia!”
I snapped back to reality when he shouted again. My eyes widened as I turned around and realized he was already behind me.
So, I continued running. But in my haste, I didn’t notice the rock blocking my path, causing me to stumble.
Until I suddenly found myself tumbling downhill. I couldn’t control what was happening anymore, and all I could do was silently pray.
Lord, please save me and my loved ones. Please let us live.
I closed my eyes tightly as I saw the large rock I was about to hit. My entire body felt electrified as my head collided with it.
As much as I wanted to get up and keep running, I couldn’t. My vision was spinning, and my whole body was in pain.
Before long, I realized I was floating in the air, and in my blurred vision, I could faintly make out Aries’ worried face before everything went dark.