Aria's Background

Dante stood at the window with the phone pressed to his ear. His sharp gaze moved across the street through a narrow gap in the curtains.

Rafael’s voice came through the line, steady and serious. “I finished the background check. Aria Kane, daughter of Vincent Kane. She lost her mother when she was nine.”

Dante’s jaw tightened. Something unfamiliar pulled at his chest. He had lost his own mother at a young age as well. He still remembered the exact moment the doctors announced she was gone. From that day forward life had shown him no mercy.

No one had comforted him. No one had taken his hand or offered him shelter. He had learned to survive alone on the streets. Violence had molded him. Softness had become a foreign language. Warmth was something he no longer received from anyone.

Beneath the hard exterior the lonely, frightened child still existed, buried and silenced. Hearing that Aria had suffered the same loss at such a young age dragged something raw and long-buried to the surface.

He knew that hollow ache well. The desperate hunger for care, for someone to stay. He understood her pain more than he wanted to admit.

“After her mother’s death, Vincent brought his mistress Vanessa into the house,” Rafael continued. “They already had a child together, Sofia, who was nearly the same age as Aria. That means Vincent had been unfaithful for a long time. The mother’s death itself remains suspicious. Rumors claim Vincent arranged it for the insurance money, but nothing was ever proven.”

Dante stayed silent, absorbing every detail while his mind worked through the implications.

“Her life changed completely after that,” Rafael went on. “The stepmother and half-sister treated her poorly. Her father has been openly unfair. In business circles, people say he resents her. Before she died, her mother left forty percent of Kane Biocorp shares in Aria’s name. That made her the majority shareholder. Vincent only manages the company as a caretaker. Aria could take full control and remove him whenever she chooses.”

Dante’s expression hardened. He now understood why Vincent favored the other daughter and remained cold toward Aria. He did not see her as a child. He saw her as a threat.

“Aria never showed interest in the company,” Rafael added. “She chose medicine instead. She ranked at the top of her medical class and built a strong reputation at the hospital. Yet her own family continues to treat her like an outsider.”

After a short pause, Rafael revealed the final piece. “She has been involved with Julian Hart. The man is a piece of work. He has been cheating on her with her half-sister. I am not certain whether she knows.”

Dante’s fingers tightened around the phone. He remembered Aria mentioning her former boyfriend. That meant she had already discovered the betrayal.

“Vincent needs the Hart family’s support to keep the company stable. Because he favors Sofia, he has been pushing the match between her and Julian.”

“That man does not deserve her,” Dante said, his voice cold. “She is better off without the cheater.”

Silence stretched for a moment on the other end. “Do not get involved with her,” Rafael warned. “It is dangerous for both of you. I know you are staying there for now, but do not let this turn into something deeper.”

“I know,” Dante answered, frustration clear in his tone. “She saved my life, fed me, and gave me a place to stay. I only intend to repay the debt before I leave.”

The sound of the front door opening cut the conversation short. He ended the call at once and slipped the phone into his pocket. He turned as Aria stepped inside.

Her shoulders were bowed as if she carried the weight of the entire world. Her steps were slow and heavy.

“Hey,” he said, forcing a lighter tone. “You are back. I made pasta.” He gestured toward the table. “Sit down. I will serve it.”

She barely glanced at him. “I am not hungry. You eat.”

Her voice lacked its usual strength. She looked exhausted, as if the bag on her shoulder was almost too much to carry.

Dante studied her carefully. This was more than ordinary fatigue. Something was wrong.

“Are you all right?” He moved closer.

She nodded. “I only need sleep. Good night.”

When she tried to walk past him, something caught his attention. Faint red marks showed on her cheek. They were already fading, but he recognized them instantly. Someone had struck her.

His entire body went rigid. “Who did this to you?” he demanded, catching her arm.

She stiffened and looked up at him, then quickly dropped her gaze. “It is nothing.”

He wanted to press further, but she gave him no chance. She pulled free, walked into her room, and shut the door.

Dante remained in place, fists slowly curling at his sides. His injured ribs ached, yet he felt none of it. All he could see was the mark on her face. The knowledge that someone had dared to hit her sent heat surging through his blood.

He took out his phone again and called Rafael.

“You hung up so suddenly. Is everything all right there?” Rafael asked, concern clear.

“Someone hurt her,” Dante said through clenched teeth.

A short silence followed. “You mean someone hurt Aria?”

“I am certain,” Dante answered. “She was slapped. I saw the marks myself.”

Quiet settled around him, turning his expression even colder.

“Find out who did it,” he ordered. “Check whether she went anywhere after work.”

Rafael hesitated. His boss was involving himself with this woman more than necessary. For the first time, he wanted to question the decision. Then he remembered Dante’s earlier words. This was only about repaying a debt.

“Understood. I will look into it immediately.”

Within an hour the update arrived.

“She went to the Kane residence this evening,” Rafael reported. “She stayed there for a while.”

Dante’s face turned to ice. He needed no further details. He already knew what had happened. The stepmother and half-sister had confronted her. As always her father had sided with them, and he had been the one to strike her.

“Teach them a lesson,” he said, his voice low and lethal. “Make certain they remember they cannot touch her.”

The call ended.

Dante walked to Aria’s door and lifted his hand to knock. He stopped, then lowered it again. He had never been skilled at offering comfort. He had never tried to soothe anyone before.

What could he possibly say?

He knew how to fight, how to shoot, how to kill. Soft words were beyond him. He remained outside the door as if his silent presence alone might ease her pain and let her rest.

The next morning Aria arrived at the hospital at her usual time. As she walked toward her office a nurse hurried over.

“Dr. Kane. There is an emergency admission. It is… it is your father.”