By admin A Romance In Passing Chapter 20
As dusk settled over the horizon, Aria brought William back to the lakeside where she had once saved him. They retraced the steps of their past together–each place a silent witness to the life they once shared–until they finally arrived home.
Once he set down his luggage, Aria went straight to the kitchen to cook.
William stood in the middle of the room, silently taking in the famillar layout. Everything was exactly as it had been, but his heart had changed. This once–beloved space now stirred nothing in him but a deep, gnawing hatred.
Back then, he had given everything up for this woman–who always smelled faintly of fish. But now, just catching a whiff of her again made his stomach turn.
“What are you looking at, William?”
Aria, washing vegetables in the kitchen, noticed the living room had gone quiet. She wandered out to check and found him lost in thought.
He was standing outside the bedroom they used to share, and a shy smile crept onto her face. She was too distracted by her memories to notice the darkness clouding his eyes.
“We used to sleep in that room. Do you remember?”
As she gazed at William’s striking features, her heart stirred. She reached out, gently taking his hand and tracing the lines of his fingers with care.
“You’ve been back living in the villa for so long now… I wonder if you’ll still be comfortable sleeping here again.”
Before she could say more, he lunged at her like a crazed man, crashing his lips into hers.
“William… What are you doing… We haven’t even eaten dinner yet…”
Her protest was swallowed by his kiss. She whimpered softly, startled by his aggression. Something about him felt off.
“Dinner?” He scoffed against her lips. “I haven’t seen you in so long. Don’t you want to be with me?”
He frowned and bit her lower lip. The bluntness of his words made Aria flush a deep red. But she didn’t resist. Instead, she took off her jacket and guided his hands
to her body.
“Of course I want to, William… I missed you so much when you ignored me… Now that bitch Emily is finally out of the picture, you can be mine forever…”
The truth slipped out in the middle of passion. William’s eyes flew open, a dark fury twisting through them as he stared at Aria.
Suddenly, he grabbed her by the throat and threw her onto the bed.
She cried out in pain, fear flashing in her eyes. But then, she told herself it was just part of his rough play and forced herself to stay calm.
Her cheeks were flushed. She wrapped her arms around his strong frame as she tried to draw him closer, lips seeking his once more.
But the next second, William reached for the pillow beside him and pressed it hard over her face.
“William! I can’t breathe!”
Her voice came out muffled, panicked. She kicked and fought beneath him, but he only pressed down harder.
And then she realized that he was trying to suffocate her. William was trying to kill her.
“William, please! I’m begging you… Let me go…”
Aria’s voice weakened, her desperate cries fading into silence. Only then did William finally loosen his grip.
Her face was no longer flushed with desire. It had turned a deep shade of red from lack of air.
He slapped her cheek slightly, checking if she had passed out. Once sure she was unconscious, he stood from the bed.
When Aria woke up, her body was limp. She realized in horror that she was completely naked–tightly bound with rope–and crammed inside the very suitcase William had brought with him.
“You’re awake?” William sat casually on the bed, a cruel smirk curling at the corner of his lips. The tenderness he once showed was long gone. In its place was a
numb, hollow look.
Her mouth had been sealed with duct tape, muffling her cries into wordless screams.
Lighting up a cigarette, he came closer and took a long drag. Then, he pressed the burning tip against her bare arm. Angry red welts rose where the embers touched skin.
“Mmm!” She curled up tighter, unable to move, her muffled shrieks growing more desperate.
“You said you loved me, didn’t you?”
His voice was cold, eyes clouded with shadows. A twitch pulled at the corner of his cheek.
“You looked so happy today–coming back to this fishing village. You lingered by the lakeside like you couldn’t bear to leave… Then I’ll make sure you stay here.
Eagle 23
Forever. Right where you saved me.”
Aria trembled uncontrollably as their eyes locked, William’s eyes were filled with terrifying intent.
He yanked the zipper closed. Then wrapped the suitcase in layer upon layer of duct tape.
Inside, she thrashed, slamming her body against the hard shell, but it was no use.
At night, William carried the suitcase to the lake the very spot where fate had first brought them together. He stared into the distance.
All the memories rushed through his mind. If only he’d never met Aria in this village… If only he had returned to Emily instead… Would everything have ended differently?
“Aria, you deserve this.”
With that, he pushed the suitcase into the water. Without another glance, he turned and walked away from the village.