Chapter 116 Survive!

Chapter 116 Seduce!
|| Author POV ||

Rosa blankly stared at her phone screen, at the number saved under the name ‘Mr.thief ♡’

Her chin rested on her knees, eyes locked on the glowing digits.

A week.

It had been a week since she escaped. She thought freedom would be easy after running away, but it wasn’t. No matter how hard she tried, her heart still yearned for that man.

Even her heart betrays her.

Every day passed with uncertainty. What if he comes? What if he finds me? What if he drags me back?

Rosa clenched her fists. She will never return to that killer.

Yet her heart wouldn’t listen, it betrayed her and now she was forced to betray her own heart in return. Her heart squeezed painfully.

Fresh tears welled up. His number was all she had left and she wished desperately that he hadn’t done the things he did.

With a choked breath, Rosa tossed her phone aside. “Go away!”

The device landed against the pillow with a dull thud.

Her soundless cries were swallowed by her own arms and she curled into herself.

MEANWHILE—Aria sat on the couch, pen pressed to her lips while books scattered messily across the table, studying for her upcoming exams. Noah approached with a glass of water from the kitchen and held it out to her.

“It’s been a week. Any progress?” he asked.

Aria lifted her eyes to him. Sadness clouded her expression. “She doesn’t talk to me.”

Noah sat beside her.

“She just sits there.. silently. Every time I go in to check on her, she’s only staring out the window. She hasn’t stepped out of that room even once.” A weary sigh escaped her lips and her gaze fell.

Noah nodded with a sigh. “She needs time to heal. I have a meet up with a friend. I’ll see you later, babe.” Aria smiled softly at him and watched him leave.

She returned to her books, studying until soft footsteps reached her ears. Aria looked up and saw the familiar figure. Her lips parted in surprise.

Rosalie finally came down after days.

“Come here, Rosa.”

Aria’s voice was gentle, almost a chirp of relief.

Rosa hesitated at the bottom, clad in pajamas while fingers clutching the hem nervously. She felt awkward stepping out by herself. All she wanted was to clear her mind.

Rosa walked toward the couch. Aria stood up with a relieved smile on her face. “Finally, you came down. Sit here.”

She quickly returned with a glass of milk and handed it to Rosa who was already seated on the couch.

“Thank you.” Rosa murmured softly.

Aria sat beside her. “Don’t thank me. Just drink it. Are you feeling any better than before?”

Rosa hesitated. A wave of pain tightened in her chest but she gave a small nod. She lifted the glass and sipped slowly. Her eyes eventually drifted toward the table–books were scattered everywhere.

Her heart tightened at the sight.

Rosa realized she had forgotten about studying, forgotten about the life she once had as a student.

She can’t stay here forever. She have to find a place of her own. She couldn’t hide forever. She has to live.

Aria noticed the far-away look in her eyes. “I was studying. Our mid-term exams are coming up soon.”

Rosa lowered her gaze. The word 'exams' hit her unexpectedly, snapping her back to a world she had almost left behind.

Aria shifted on the couch, crossing her legs and gently took Rosa’s hand in hers. “Rosa, I know how hard this must be for you. After everything that happened. That man..he wasn’t good for you. You deserve better. No, not just better, you deserve the best. I know it’s easy for me to say but you need to try to move forward. I can’t stand seeing my friend like this. You have a life too. You deserve to shine.”

“Let’s study together.” Aria added, giving her a reassuring smile.

She knew Rosa’s mental state wasn’t in a good condition, but the exams were coming up and she couldn’t let her friend give up on them.

Her concern was genuine.

“You have to attend exams, right?” Aria encouraged softly.

“I.. I can’t just sit here. I want to go out but- but I’m scared.” Rosa’s eyes fixed on the glass resting in her lap.

“It’s okay, Rosa. You don’t have to push yourself. And listen..he’s not at the academy anymore. So, you don’t have to worry. We just have to be a little careful.”

Rosa sadly stared at nothing. There was so much going on in her head. After a long silence, she gave the faintest nod.

\-----

|| On The Other Hand ||

Killian’s cold eyes swept across the space while the guard pushed open the heavy door to the conference hall. The atmosphere shifted the moment Killian stepped inside. His cold, obsidian eyes scanned the room. His expression was calm and stoned.

Two powerful men sat at the long table while several guards stood silently in the corners.

“Killian Salvatore is here.”

The man with piercing green eyes announced, rising from his seat including the man beside him. He extended his hand in greeting.

“Thanks for accepting our alliance.”

Killian clasped it firmly. His nod was curt. Already familiar with this figure. France’s mafia boss, Lucien Moreau.

Four years older than Killian.

Lucien gestured to the man beside him. “This is the Italian boss, Alessandro Vitale. Head of the Vitale family.”

Killian’s sharp assessing eyes swept over him. The man looked to be in his thirties. Alessandro smiled at him and extended his hand.

Killian accepted his hands with cold authority.

Alessandro gave a curt nod. “We’ve heard a lot about you, Salvatore. The East bows to your name.”

Killian’s lips curved into a faint imperceptible smirk. “Names mean nothing. Power does.”

All three took their seats around the long polished table. Power radiated from each of them. The air was thick with dark demeanor.

Alessandro’s eyes never left Killian, measuring him carefully. The man before him was not just any visitor–he was the notorious king of Spain, infamous in the underworld and every move he made exuded authority.

“I thought you’d never return to my domain, Salvatore.”

Lucien said. He flicked a hand toward a guard standing nearby. The guard inclined his head and promptly exited the room at his signal.

Lucien’s gaze returned to Killian. “We have matters to discuss, alliances, operations, territories. Let’s not waste time.”

Killian leaned back slightly “Speak. I don’t have patience for empty words.”

Lucien nodded, “As expected. Let’s begin.”

The discussion unfolded swiftly. This was no ordinary meeting–it was a chessboard and Killian moved with quiet, lethal mastery. His presence dominated the room.

“I heard the Russians were after you.” Lucien remarked coolly. “Now that we’re bound in one string, your enemies become ours. Arrogant dogs, thinking they can bite the lions.”

“They tried to seize my eastern territory.” Killian scoffed sharply with disdain. “When they failed, they set their sights on my southern route. And still, they lost. Pathetic.” His smirk was sharp and merciless.

Alessandro was quite impressed. He leaned forward slightly. Curiosity sharpened his gaze.

“Lucien Moreau.. you never mentioned how you know Killian Salvatore.”

Lucien leaned back slightly, “That’s right. You know the former king of Spain? Albert Davis. He was close to my grandfather. Years back, he sent Killian Salvatore to France. During that time, we trained together. He stayed here for five years before returning to Spain.”

Killian’s eyes sharply studied the Italian boss. A playful glint visible in his eyes.

The door of the room swung open, revealing a woman in a sharp red fitted dress stepped in. A small scarf was tied elegantly around her neck. She wheeled in a trolley. Her heels clicked softly against the floor.

Her eyes immediately fell on the man seated with his back to her. Even from behind, his presence demanded attention. Broad back, tall, composed and radiating a dark, magnetic aura. She approached cautiously.

“Vivienne, this is Killian Salvatore.” Lucien says.

She smoothly smiled at Lucien before letting her gaze shift to Killian. Her posture leaned slightly forward to Killian. Her big breasts half-tucked out of her dress. She oozed a seductive charm.

And her next target was Killian.