Chapter 171

ARIA'S POV

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My mind was blank. Completely blank.

What could I say? My thoughts were a mess, tumbling over one another in a rush of panic.

Should I just tell them what my father looked like? No, what if that wasn’t enough?

Should I say something about my family? But what if I said something I made a mistake? Would they shoot me on the spot?

“I… I don’t know,” I finally stammered, my voice weak and shaky. “I need more time to think…”

“Time?” the man sneered, cutting me off. His eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer, the gun still in his hand. “You think we have time to play games? Tell me something now, or I’ll just assume that you’re lying.”

“I’m not lying!” I yelled, panic creeping into my voice. “I swear, I’m not! Just give me a second!”

The man’s face darkened. His grip on the gun tightened, and my pulse raced.

“Think, Aria, think!” I screamed at myself in my head.