Ruthless Temptation part 2(Chapter 85)
The morning light crept through the high barred window, slicing thin lines across the cracked floor of the cell. Aiden sat on his cot, staring at the dust motes drifting lazily in the beam of sunlight. He had not seen real sunlight in five years.
Tomorrow, he would.
His heart thudded unevenly at the thought. Tomorrow, he would walk out of here. Tomorrow, he would breathe free air. Tomorrow, he would see Jace again.
“Tomorrow,” he whispered under his breath, tasting the word like a prayer. His fingers brushed over the small black box in his pocket, his most treasured possession, hidden carefully through every inspection. The edges were worn now, but inside, the ring gleamed.
I will find you, Jace. I will make it right.
He closed his eyes, letting the thought fill him with warmth. It was the only thing that kept him alive here, that tiny spark of hope buried under the weight of guilt.
~
The clang of the cell door snapped him out of his thoughts.
“Breakfast, Aiden,” the guard barked, and aiden came out of his cell and headed towards the cafeteria.
They served him his food, and he moved to a seat, his movements slow from old bruises and weariness. Before he could even take the first bite, a shadow fell over him.
“Well, well, look who’s here again.”
Aiden stiffened. It was Carter, the biggest man in the block, covered in tattoos that looked like scars on his skin. The others followed him like wolves.
Carter snatched the tray from Aiden’s hands, his grin spreading like a cut. “What’s this? They giving you extra eggs today, pretty boy?”
“Leave it,” Aiden said quietly.
Carter looked at him for a moment and then, with deliberate slowness, upended the tray spilling eggs and gravy all over Aiden’s head. The mess dripped down his neck, soaking his thin shirt. Laughter exploded around him.
Aiden did not move. He had been through this before. He closed his eyes, breathing through it, trying to remember anything to drown out the humiliation.
But Carter wasn’t satisfied.
“You ain’t even gonna fight back?” the man jeered. “You used to have some fire when you came in here. What happened, Aiden? They beat it outta you?”
Aiden wiped the food from his face, saying nothing. “Just… leave me alone, Carter.”
He turned to walk away, but a rough hand grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around. Something slipped from his pocket, a small black box falling to the floor with a dull thud.
Carter’s grin widened. “Well, well, what’s this?”
“Don’t touch that,” Aiden said sharply, lunging forward.
But Carter was faster. He scooped up the box and flipped it open. The diamond ring inside caught the weak light of the cellblock, throwing a brief glint across the wall.
“Oh, this is rich,” Carter laughed. “You planning to get married, princess? To whom?”
Aiden’s chest tightened. “Give it back.”
The other inmates chuckled, forming a loose circle. Carter dangled the ring between two fingers, smirking. “Make me.”
“Please, Carter… I need that.”
“Oh, you need it?” He feigned sympathy, leaning close. “Then come and take it.”
Aiden clenched his fists. “Don’t do this.”
The punch came before he could even brace himself. His head snapped back, pain exploding behind his eyes. He staggered but didn’t fall.
“Come on, lover boy,” Carter mocked. “Show me how much that little trinket means to you.”
Aiden lunged. He didn’t think he just moved. His fingers grazed the ring, but Carter’s knee slammed into his gut, knocking the breath out of him. Another man grabbed him from behind, holding him as Carter punched again one, two, three times splitting his lip and opening a cut above his eye.
Still, Aiden reached out, desperate, blood blurring his vision. He caught the box just as Carter swung again, the blow sending him crashing to the ground. The laughter echoed around him, cruel and endless.
When it was over, he lay curled on the floor, coughing, his body trembling. The taste of blood filled his mouth. But his hands... his bruised, shaking hand was clenched tightly around the box.
The men lost interest and drifted away, muttering and laughing to themselves. Carter spat beside him. “Pathetic.”
When the footsteps faded, Aiden slowly uncurled, pressing the box to his chest. His vision swam, but he managed to open it just enough to see the ring still inside perfect.
Tears blurred his eyes. He smiled weakly. “Hope you’re waiting for me, my love,” he whispered, voice cracked and small.
He closed his eyes, clutching the ring until his bloodied knuckles went white.
~
Morning came heavy and golden.
The guards opened the cell, tossing his meagre belongings into a plastic bag.
“Aiden. Today’s your lucky day,” the officer said, glancing at the release papers. “You’re officially a free man.”
Aiden stood for a moment, dazed. The words didn’t feel real. Free.
He followed the guard through the long corridor, each clang of the gates behind him echoing like the ticking of a clock winding down. As he reached the final door, the sunlight spilt over him in full for the first time in years.
It burned. He loved it.
He stepped out, breathing deeply, the air sharp and bright with the scent of rain and concrete. His hands trembled as he clutched the bag to his chest.
He had imagined this moment a thousand times— what he would do, how he would find Jace, what he would say when he finally saw him again. He rehearsed the words in his mind like a mantra.
“Hey, Aiden,” the officer said, handing him his belongings. “You are good to go.”
“Thanks,” Aiden murmured, adjusting the strap on his bag. He looked down at his hands they were scarred, thin, but still steady. “I won’t be coming back.”
The guard smirked faintly. “That’s what they all say.”
Aiden smiled faintly but did not respond. He walked toward the gate. The world outside looked so bright it almost hurt to look at it.
And then he saw someone waiting by the gate
A tall man in a black coat stood casually, cigarette in hand, his expression unreadable. His hair was slicked back, dark and neat, his eyes hidden behind tinted glasses.
Something about him sent a chill crawling down Aiden’s spine.
As Aiden approached, the man crushed the cigarette beneath his shoe. His smile was sharp.
“You don’t look that good,” the stranger said conversationally. “But what can I expect? You just came out of prison.”
Aiden frowned, his instincts prickling. “Who the hell are you?”
The man took off his glasses slowly, revealing eyes so cold they seemed to pierce straight through him. His grin widened, slow and deliberate.
“You can call me…” He paused, savouring the moment. “…Justin.”