Chapter 6: She doesn't want a bodyguard

Kian's POV

“Whatever’s coming... Kian, this is just the beginning. Ava and Ryan won’t make our lives easy.”

Her words echoed in my head long after she whispered them. I stood there, unmoving, my hand still clenched from the force I used to shut the door. My heart thudded heavily in my chest, not from fear but from a sobering realization.

She was right.

I turned to look at her. Aria was still trembling on the floor, her head tucked between her legs, her shoulders shaking from silent sobs. Watching her like that… it did something to me. A twist in my chest, a sharp pang of guilt. I wanted to walk over, pull her into my arms, and tell her everything would be fine. But the truth?

Even I am not sure, and I don't believe that everything would be fine.

Ava and Ryan… They weren’t going to back off easily. Their reactions tonight had been louder, harsher, and more violent than anything I’d imagined. I'm very sure they'd both be planning something big against Aria and me. I know my twin well, he gets crazy and unstable whenever he doesn't get what he wants, and Ava…she's somewhat like that.

But…what could they be planning?

How are they planning to retaliate?

The thought of it sent a cold chill down my spine.

And if this was just the beginning of their wrath, then I needed to be ready for what came next.

Whatever happens, I won’t let Aria face it alone. No matter how messy this gets, I’ll stand beside her. Protect her. Fight for her.

But still… Something about tonight kept nagging at me. The way Ava had stormed in too angry, and too prepared. I expected backlash, yes. But not that level of rage. It was too calculated, and too immediate.

Who told her?

How did she find out?

I frowned, trying to piece it together, but my thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shift—Aria was trying to stand. But before she could straighten up, her legs buckled.

The second her body wavered, I moved without thinking.

“Aria!” I called out just as her knee gave way.

I caught her before she hit the ground, my arms locking around her trembling frame. As I held her close, we both stiffened. She was so light… too unsteady. Her breath hitched, and I could feel her heart pounding against my chest.

She was supposed to be stronger than this. She was carrying a child—our child. Why was she pushing herself this hard?

Frustration burned beneath my skin, but I swallowed it down. The last thing she needed right now was more anger from me. I just held her tighter, jaw clenched, trying to keep it together.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. She shouldn’t be this weak. She should be resting, cared for… protected.

Suddenly, I felt a soft push against my chest.

Aria’s face was flushed red as she looked away and stammered, “Th-thank you…”

I blinked, watching her closely. Why was her face red? Embarrassment? Was she in pain? I couldn’t tell. But I didn’t ask.

I just kept my eyes on her, scanning her silently—her breathing, the way she stood, the slight shake in her fingers. Only when I was sure she was okay did I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

She was safe. That was all that mattered.

Then she turned and started heading towards the living room. Her steps were slow, almost hesitant.

Just as she took another step forward, the words slipped out of me.

"I'm sorry."

She froze.

The slight stiffening of her shoulders told me she wasn’t expecting that from me. I could almost hear the thoughts rushing through her head. Why would I be apologizing?

I stepped in front of her, blocking her path, and slowly lifted my eyes to meet hers. Her face was still red, her eyes puffy and tired, yet still filled with so much emotion it made something twist in my chest.

“I’m really sorry,” I said again, softer this time. “It was my fault. If I had planned things better, none of that would’ve happened. Ava insulting you, Ryan trying to force you out…” I swallowed the anger rising again. “You were almost dragged out of here in front of me. That shouldn’t have happened.”

She shook her head. “It’s not your fault, Kian.”

But I didn’t believe that.

“No,” I said firmly. “It is. I should have known they’d pull something. I should’ve protected you better.”

A bitter silence settled between us, and for a moment, all I could see was the humiliation she’d been put through. The thought of it made my fists clench.

“I can’t risk anything like that happening again, especially since you're pregnant,” I added, my tone hardening slightly. “Ryan is unpredictable and very unstable, and Ava… she’s not any better. To make sure you’re safe and never hurt by them again… I'll be getting you a bodyguard.”

She looked at me, clearly taken aback.

“A bodyguard?” Aria repeated, disbelief written all over her face. “I don’t want one, Kian. I’m fine.”

I folded my arms, jaw tightening. “You’re not fine. You were almost dragged out by Ryan, Ava humiliated you, and you nearly fell today. You’re carrying my child. That’s not something I’m going to take lightly.”

“I don’t need someone following me around,” she snapped. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing that long before I met you.”

“That was before Ryan tried to drag you out of this house!” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. I took a breath, trying to stay calm, but her resistance was grating. “This isn’t about pride, Aria. It’s about safety.”

She crossed her arms, glaring at me. “So you just expect me to say yes? Like I’m under your control now?”

“This isn’t control,” I said tightly. “It’s precaution.”

“Well, I don’t want it,” she fired.

“And I don’t care,” I replied sharply. “I’m not asking for permission.”

She took a step forward, furious. “You’re impossible, Kian! You can’t just make decisions for me like this!”

“And you’re being stubborn!” I snapped. “Why is it so hard for you to understand that I’m just trying to protect you? My brother is unstable, and Ava… she’s desperate. You saw what they’re capable of.”

“But I still don’t need protection!” She shouted. “I don’t want someone following me around like I’m in some kind of prison!

I stared at her, heart pounding. I didn’t understand her. I was doing everything I could to make this right for her, for the baby, but she was acting like I was the enemy.

I clenched my fists, my patience gone. “Fine. You don’t want to listen? Then listen to this—” I stepped closer, voice cold. “The only thing binding us together is that child you’re carrying. And I will protect my child, with or without your approval.”

She stiffened, eyes wide.

I didn’t stop. “You signed the contract, Aria. You agreed. So whether you like it or not… you have no choice.”

My words hung heavy in the air, slicing through whatever fragile calm was left between us.

The silence that followed was thick and unforgiving. Her lips parted slightly like she wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

Her eyes dropped to the floor.

The tension in the room was suffocating, but I was too pissed off to care. I turned, ready to walk away, space was the only thing that could keep me from saying something worse.

But just as I took a step, I heard a soft, small, broken voice behind me.

“Are you also trying to monitor me? You don’t trust me too?”

I froze. Her words caught me off guard, soft and vulnerable. For a moment, I didn’t know how to respond.