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The smile slips from his face. Just like that, I know.

He drops his gaze to the floor, avoiding mine. A flicker of hesitation. A pause that stretchestoo long.

No.

My stomach tightens, the air suddenly too thick, too heavy.

No. Fucking. Way.

“Marco.” My voice firm now, no hesitation. “When can I come home?” I repeat myself even though webothknow he heard me the first time.

He drags a hand through his hair, exhaling heavily before finally meeting my gaze.

“I need a little more time.”

The room tilts. My vision sharpens. I push to my feet so fast the chair scrapes against the floor.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

His frown deepens. “Don’t speak to me that way Aria.”

I don’tcare.

He looks at my phone again, rubbing his temple. “Look, I’m sorry okay. But I can’t just tell you to return home. I have to make some arrangements and-”

I clench my fists, my nails biting into my palms. “You said after I gave you this, I’d be done. I’m risking my life here, Marco. Do you even care about that?”

Herolls his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose like I’m some annoying little problem instead of his sister. “I’m not risking you, Aria. Everything is under control.”

“No, it’s not.” My voice cracks, but I don’t care. “You’re keeping metrapped. Nicolas isn’t stupid, Marco. He’s going to figure it out, and what do you think he’ll do to me when he does?”

His gaze darkens. “Well, you’re just going to have to take that risk. Don’t forget—you’re working for the family.”

A chill slams through me.

To translate that sentence into action, Marco might as well have spat in my face and shoved me to the ground.

The broken promises. The excuses. The way he always dodged my questions. It all clicks into place, sharp and sickening. My throat tightens, my voice barely a whisper.

“You never planned to get me out, did you?”

His head snaps towards me, his jaw tightening as he bites his lip. He looks angry but… he doesn’t deny it.

Tears burn at the edges of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. “This was always the plan, wasn’t it?” My voice is hollow, stripped of any warmth. “Keep me married to Nicolas so I could keep feeding you information.”

Marco exhales sharply, like he’s frustratedwith meinstead of himself. “You’re doing what’s necessary for us,” he says, as if that should make it okay.

I shake my head, disbelief cutting through my grief. “What about me, Marco? Don’t I matter?”

His expression hardens, as if I’ve just asked something ridiculous. “This is our life, Aria. It’s what Father wanted. Stop being naive.”

Naïve.

A sharp, bitter laugh escapes me. “Naïve” I repeat, shaking my head. “Wanting a normal life makes me naïve? Wanting a life without fear? Without this constant weight?” I take a step closer, my voice rising despite the lump in my throat. “You could leave this behind.Wecould leave this behind. We don’t have to do this.”

He shakes his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, but there’s no humor in it. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“No,” I snap, my voice steadier now. “I’m being human.”