Aria stares at the man in shock, his words echoing in her mind: "You belong to me." This made her heart beat loudly, and her hand quivered slightly as she became cold inside. She didn't understand what he was trying to say. She didn't understand its meaning either. In fact, she was actually afraid of him, yet something about him was familiar, and that even confused her more.
She tried to sit up again, but her body ached. Pain shot through her head, and she gasped softly. The man watched her closely. His expression didn't change. He looked calm and undisturbed, like he expected this moment and had been waiting for it to come.
Aria swallowed nervously. Her throat felt dry.
She spoke again. "I don't know you." Her voice trembled weakly.
He didn't react. He simply watched her. His eyes searched her face like he was trying to confirm something.
He finally spoke. His voice was calm.
"I know."
His answer made her confused. She frowned slightly and gripped the bedsheets again, trying to stay calm, but she failed because her breathing became uneven.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
He took a slow breath. His gaze remained steady as he reached into his suit.
She flinched a bit as fear flashed in her eyes.
He noticed her reaction and softened his expression briefly.
He pulled out a thin black folder from his suit. It looked expensive, clean, and perfect. He held it carefully and stepped closer to her bed, placing the folder beside her.
She stared at it anxiously, but she didn't touch it. She was afraid of what was inside.
The man spoke quietly.
"Open it."
She hesitated at first. She didn't want to open it, but she felt that in order to know the truth behind all the drama, she must open the folder.
Slowly she reached for it. Her finger touched the folder, and she opened it carefully.
Some papers were inside. They were official papers and looked like legal documents.
Her eyes scanned the page. She didn't actually understand anything, but one thing caught her attention.
There was a name.
Her name.
Aria Vale.
She stopped breathing for a second.
She read it again.
"Aria Vale."
Then she saw another name.
Morgan Draven.
She looked up at him. He was watching her closely, waiting for her reaction, and immediately she knew that the man standing before her was Morgan Draven.
She looked back down and read slowly. Her eyes widened as the words seemed to be confusing her.
Legal ownership.
Identity transfer.
Protection agreement.
All of it looked very confusing, and she struggled to understand the meaning of these words.
Her hands began to shake more. She felt sick as she turned the page.
There were more legal terms, more signatures, and more official stamps on it.
Her eyes reached the bottom, and she was shocked at the sight of a signature.
Her signature.
Aria Vale.
Written boldly, clearly, and perfectly.
She stared at it in disbelief and whispered, "No..."
Her voice was breaking.
She shook her head lightly.
She couldn't believe it.
And she refused to believe it.
She looked at Morgan. Her eyes were filled with dread.
"This isn't real," she whispered, her voice shaking badly.
But Morgan said nothing.
He watched her silently, and his silence made it even worse.
"I didn't sign this," she said, looking at him. Her voice was louder this time.
She felt like she was a prisoner.
Like her whole life was stolen from her.
She gripped the paper tightly as her hands vibrated violently.
She looked at the signature again. Tears filled her eyes.
"I don't remember signing this," she said.
Morgan finally spoke.
"You signed it."
His words hit her head like a physical blow.
"No," she said, shaking her head again.
He continued.
"Three months ago."
She was surprised.
Three months?
She couldn't even remember three hours, let alone three months.
She asked why she signed it, but he didn't give her an answer immediately.
She was desperate.
She looked at him pleadingly.
She deserved answers.
She needed answers.
Any answer at all.
But he gave none yet.
She looked at the contract again.
Her name was unfamiliar.
The signature on it looked like a lie, like it was forged.
She wondered who she was, why she signed it, what she was escaping, if she was afraid, and if she trusted him.
These thoughts ran through her mind one by one.
But the one that scared her the most was the thought of trusting him.
Morgan spoke again, and this time his voice was dangerous and serious.
"You came to me."
Aria caught her breath and stared at him, confused and shocked.
"You asked me to protect you," he said.
Aria couldn't remember nor imagine it happening.
Why would she beg him?
What could have made her beg him?
Aria thought silently.
She asked, "Why?"
He paused for some time.
His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened.
"Because you were in danger," he replied slowly.
Danger?
From who?
Why?
Aria asked herself.
She was overwhelmed.
Her mind was spinning because none of this made sense to her.
She asked him, "What type of danger?"
But he didn't give her a clear answer.
He just said, "The kind that kills."
Terror filled Aria completely.
She felt exposed and vulnerable.
Morgan continued.
"You begged me."
She couldn't imagine herself begging him.
He leaned closer and spoke softly, more personal.
"You said you would rather belong to me..."
He paused.
His eyes were locked onto hers.
Then he finished.
"...than die."
Silence filled the room.
Aria had a weird feeling, but she couldn't understand what it was.
She couldn't breathe properly.
And she couldn't accept it.
Tears fell down her face.
She was broken and lost.
But she managed to say,
"I don't remember a thing..."
Her voice was breaking.
But he just watched her closely in silence.
He reached toward her slowly.
She flinched a little.
He stopped.
He respected her fear, so he didn't touch her.
But he also didn't step back.
He remained close.
"It doesn't matter if you remember," he said calmly.
His voice was firm, certain, and final.
She whispered, "Why?"
And he answered simply,
"Because the contract is real."
Her heart sank.
Her hope faded away.
Her fear grew stronger.
She realized something terrifying.
All that was happening was not a mistake.
It was not a dream.
It was real.
So real.
And it was permanent.
He looked directly into her eyes.
His gaze was possessive and dangerous.
He whispered,
"From now on..."
Her eyes widened, waiting for the worst.
He finished his sentence.
"...your life belongs to me."
She knew immediately that she couldn't change this anymore.
She was owned.
And powerless.
Her new reality had begun, and she couldn't escape it.
Deep down, she was afraid of the truth most of all.
But she could do nothing about it.
She wanted the fear rising in her to go away immediately.
She wanted her memory back.
She wanted to be happy.
But all of it seemed impossible.