Chapter 6

Ariana stared at the man before her with shocked eyes. Her throat felt dry, and for a moment, she forgot how to speak. The man-the man who had filled her past-stood there, a look of disbelief in his piercing eyes.

"Ariana?" the man's voice came back, softer this time.

Ariana's chest rose and fell rapidly, her chest feeling tight. She wanted to say something, but the words seemed to be stuck in her throat. The night wind blew harder, making her already shivering body feel even colder.

The man stepped closer, his expression turning more serious as his eyes caught the small suitcase beside Ariana. Ariana's messy clothes, pale face, and puffy eyes clearly illustrated that something had happened.

"What happened to you?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

Ariana swallowed. "I..." Her voice trembled, her heart still filled with mixed feelings from her encounter with Nathaniel. "I left home."

The man narrowed his eyes. "You left Nathaniel?"

Ariana nodded slowly. She felt very embarrassed to tell him the problem she had just faced, but this time she couldn't lie to cover up the problem.

For a moment, silence enveloped them. Then, the man took a deep breath, his expression turning into something difficult to translate.

"Get in my car," he said firmly.

Ariana was shocked beyond belief by the man's words just now. "What?"

"Get in," the man repeated, softer this time. "You can't stand here alone in the middle of the night."

Ariana looked at the black car parked next to her, then back at the man. "I... I don't want to trouble you, nor do I want your lover to get jealous, if you're with me."

The man sighed, then without hesitation, he grabbed Ariana's small suitcase and carried it to the trunk of the car. Ariana froze, unable to fully digest what was happening.

"At least you can sleep somewhere warm tonight," the man said as he opened the car door for her. "I won't force you to tell me now. But I'm not going to let you spend the night on the side of the road."

Ariana hesitated for a moment. But then, the night wind piercing her skin made her realize that she really had no other choice. Carefully, she stepped into the car.

As soon as the door closed, the soft scent of expensive perfume enveloped her nose. The car felt warm, a far cry from the cold air outside. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her heartbeat that was still beating irregularly.

The man sat in the driver's seat and started the engine. He glanced at Ariana, then said, "I'll take you to a safe place Ariana, don't be afraid that I'll hurt you."

Ariana could only nod, letting herself be taken away without knowing what awaited her next.

---

In That Guy's Apartment

Ariana stood in the center of the spacious and elegant room, her eyes scanning the surroundings in disbelief. The apartment was very luxurious-with a modern design dominated by black and gray, large windows overlooking the city, and expensive-looking leather sofas.

She felt like a stranger in this place, while living with Nathaniel she had never had facilities like this, Nathaniel had always forbidden Ariana from touching his luxury goods.

"You can take a shower if you want," the man's voice broke her reverie. "I'll prepare something to eat."

Ariana turned to him, still a little hesitant. "I don't want to inconvenience you."

The man sighed. "Stop saying that, Ariana."

Ariana pursed her lips, then finally nodded.

She took the clean clothes the man had given her and stepped into the shower. As soon as the warm water touched her skin, Ariana felt the tension in her body ease slightly. For the first time since she left home, she felt a little comfortable.

When she was done, she put on the clothes she was given-a loose T-shirt and shorts-and returned to the living room. The man was already sitting at the dining table, with two plates of hot soup in front of him.

"Sit down," he said.

Ariana hesitated for a moment, but eventually she complied. She took a spoon and tasted the soup. Warmth instantly spread through her body, making her chest feel a little lighter.

For a while, they just ate in silence.

After a few mouthfuls, the man finally put down his spoon and looked at Ariana seriously.

"Now, can you tell me what really happened?" he asked softly.

Ariana bit her lip. She stared at the soup in front of her, trying to form words.

"I can't take it anymore," she said finally, her voice almost a whisper. "Five years, I endured a loveless marriage. I hoped Nathaniel would see me as someone of value... but he never considered me anything more than a burden and a servant in his home."

The man remained silent, listening intently.

"I asked for some money for plastic surgery to make my face worthy of his wife, but he refused to give me the money for nothing," Ariana laughed ruefully, but her voice sounded bitter. "As if my appearance doesn't matter, because I'm not allowed to introduce myself as his wife."

The man clenched his fists under the table.

"I finally realized," Ariana continued, her voice trembling slightly. "No matter how hard I try to be patient, he'll never see my sacrifice."

There was silence for a moment.

Then, the man lifted his face and looked deeply at Ariana.

"And now here you are," he said softly. "You chose your freedom."

Ariana nodded, but there was fear in her eyes. "But I don't know what to do next."

The man looked at her with a look of conviction.

"You're not alone, Ariana."

Ariana looked at him with dilated eyes.

"You don't have to face this alone," the man continued. "I'm right here."

Instantly, something inside Ariana collapsed. All this time, she had always felt that she had to be strong, that she had to face everything alone. But hearing those words... made her chest feel so tight.

Unable to contain herself any longer, the tears she had been holding back finally fell. Ariana lowered her face, her tears breaking in silence.

The man didn't say anything. He just sat there, letting her vent all her emotions.

And for the first time, Ariana felt that maybe... maybe she really wasn't alone.

---

Elsewhere

Nathaniel stood in front of the large window of his office, staring out with a dark expression.

He had expected Ariana to leave.

But what he hadn't expected was how empty the house would be without her.

His hands were clenched at his sides.

Ariana thought she could just leave? That she could leave him and live her life without consequences?

A cold smile formed at the corner of Nathaniel's lips.

"You can go, Ariana," he murmured softly. "But I'll make sure you never really get away from me."

His eyes narrowed sharply, full of plans that began to formulate in his head.