Chapter 61

2 hours Later

Aria's heart skipped a beat as she spotted Jack standing alone at the cliff's edge. A radiant smile spread across her face. "Jack.." she exclaimed, rushing toward him.

As she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, her warm breath danced across his neck. "I've missed you so much"

Jack's expression shifted, his eyes darkening. Aria's smile faltered.

"Jack?" she whispered, confusion etched on her face.

With a swift, brutal motion, Jack pulled her closer, his hand grasping her hair. Aria's eyes widened as he plunged the dagger into her stomach.

Aria's limp body slumped against Jack's, her arms still wrapped around his waist. Tears streamed down Jack's pale face as he held her close, his grip tightening around the dagger buried in her stomach.

Aria's eyes, once bright with joy, now dimly reflected the fading sunlight. Her whispered words, barely audible, trembled on her lips: "Why...Jack?"

Jack's face contorted in anguish, his eyes drowning in despair. He cradled Aria's head, his fingers tangled in her hair, as if holding onto the last threads of their shattered bond.

His voice cracked, a barely audible whisper: "Forgive me, Aria...I'm sorry."

The cliffside wind whispered secrets, as Aria's life slipped away, her gaze locked on Jack's tormented face.

2 hours before

Aria freed herself and managed to escape from the Mansion. Prince Lucas, and the body guard Marcus was walking, around, when they saw that the room upstairs was opened. Lucas, ran upstairs and went to saw that Aria had already escaped, the room was empty. He saw that Aria had already escaped, he was worried for her and decided to phone the body guards, for help. Lucas was worried about Aria. Aria hasn't accepted his love yet. She still loves Jack. Lucas decided to go look for her. Aria was outside Jack's house. She didn't know that everyone was tied up in the mansion, and there was bomb there that was set up, by Allison. Mrs Hilda looked at everyone who was tied up and was in tears, Daniel saw Ivy who was heavily pregnant. Ivy, heavily pregnant, struggled desperately. Daniel was trying to reach her, but he couldn't.

Aria was still running towards there and was smiling happily, that she will reunite with everyone, then suddenly the whole place exploded, the wind pushed Aria, causing her to hit her back on the wall. Debris flew everywhere, She fell to the ground, laying unconscious.

Jack, hiding nearby, witnessed the explosion. Overwhelmed he sobbed, uncontrollably. His tears-stained face reflected anguish as he turned away.

Lucas frantically searched the forest, his heart racing. Suddenly, he spotted Aria's limp form. Rushing closer, he dropped beside her.

"Aria!" Lucas exclaimed, shaking her gently.

Aria's eyelids fluttered open. Lucas's face swam into focus. She whispered, "Jack..."

Lucas's expression darkened, but he swiftly concealed his emotions. He sprinkled water from his bottle onto her face, helping her sit up.

Aria's memories came flooding back: the mansion explosion, her loved ones' lifeless bodies. Her eyes widened in shock. Lucas followed her gaze, understanding her anguish.

Without a word, Aria stood, brushing past Lucas. She stumbled toward the mansion's ruins. Daniel, Ivy, Mrs. Hilda, and the others lay motionless. Aria's screams echoed through the forest.

Lucas approached cautiously, offering comfort. Aria pushed his hand away. "Leave me!" she sobbed.

Aria then sighted the gun in Lucas's hand and collected it, walking towards the forest, she walked down the road.

Just then, Allison's car emerged from the smoke-shrouded distance. Aria's eyes locked onto the vehicle, fury igniting within.

The smoke was everywhere and no one could see clearly, Allison, couldn't see properly because of the smoke, she was shouting who is there, but no one responded. Then, a bullet hit Allison in the stomach, another one was shot again. Allison stumbled to the ground. She held her stomach in pain, saying if you don't show your face I will find you and kill you. But no one responded. The smoke cleared and Aria still pointed the gun at Allison, but then she hadn't shot the gun, she turned around and saw that it was Lucas who shot the gun. She was surprised because she had asked him to to follow her. Allison could see clearly through the smoke and saw that it was non other than Aria, and Lucas who was behind her.

Lucas swiftly seized her, dragging her before Aria.

"How could you kill innocent people?" Lucas demanded, placing the gun close to her head.

Aria's tears fell uncontrollably. Memories of laughter, warmth, and joy contrasted brutally with the lifeless bodies.

With trembling hands, Aria grasped the gun from Lucas. Allison's smirk twisted.

Lucas's grip tightened, ensuring Allison couldn't escape.

Aria's gaze locked onto Allison. "You took everything!" she screamed.

The gun Was fired.

Allison crumpled, clutching her stomach. Aria fired again.

"For my family," she whispered.

Aria threw the gun on floor. She turned, pleading, "Lucas I want to be alone for a while."

Lucas vowed silently, watching Aria walk away into forest"I'll protect you, no matter what."

Aria sat alone, her thoughts consumed by grief. Suddenly, an old man approached her , handing her a worn letter. "A letter for you," he said softly.

Aria's heart skipped a beat, recognizing Jack's handwriting. She hastily opened the letter, tears welling.

"Meet me at the Hillside. " She continued reading. "Come alone."

Overjoyed, Aria thanked the old man and hurried towards Hillside.

Meanwhile, Lucas pondered strategies to protect Aria. Marcus arrived, bearing urgent news.

"Prince Lucas, your parents summon you to the palace," Marcus announced.

Lucas refused telling Marcus that he won't be able to come, "Inform them I'll return soon. Ensure their safety."

As Marcus departed, a woman watched as Lucas was heading to look for Aria. The aged seer watched anxiously, she felt like something was going to happen.

Back to present

Lucas rushed to Aria's side, kneeling beside her. Tears streamed down his face as he gently lifted her head onto his lap.

"Aria, no!" Lucas pleaded, eyes clenched.

Aria's slowly opened her eyes, pain etched on her face. Her trembling hand touched Lucas's cheek.

With a cry, Lucas extracted the dagger. Aria screamed in pain, but couldn't open her eyes.

"Stay with me!" Lucas begged, cradling her.

Blood gushed from Aria's stomach. Lucas frantically searched his pockets, producing a small bottle

Lucas cradled Aria's limp form, tears streaming down his face. "I remember our first meeting and my vow to protect you." His voice trembled.

"Why didn't I realize my love sooner?" Lucas sobbed, clutching her hands. "I failed you."

With shaking fingers, Lucas reached into his pocket and swallowed the poisonous pills. "I won't leave you alone," he whispered.

Coughing blood, Lucas lay beside Aria, grasping her hand. "In my next life, I'll find you," he whispered, eyes locked on hers. Lucas's coughs weakened, his gaze fading.

In his final breathe he whispered, her name.