34. Aria

34

ARIA

I sit with my hands clasped in my lap as the police officers fill my living room. Their expressions are stern. The truth our relationship is about to come to light, and I feel a mix of fear and anticipation.

"Your parents' call brought to light an unhealthy obsession Jared harbors." One of the officers begins. "It appears he's been fixated on you, Miss Wilkins. We've obtained evidence of stalking behavior. Hidden cameras, recordings—his entire apartment was a shrine to you."

I bite my lip, fighting to glance at my mom and Jared's dad. They have no idea about the intricate web of desire and darkness Jared and I share

"How long has this been going on?" Mom asks.

"We believe for quite some time, ma'am," the officer responds. "Years, perhaps. It's not uncommon for these obsessions to manifest early and remain hidden for extended periods."

I cringe, feeling a pang of guilt. My loving mom and his dad, their faces etched with confusion and worry. They had no idea about Jared's true nature, his all-consuming desire for me that began under their very roof.

"But I thought..." I trail off. "He always acted like he hated me."

The officer nods, his gaze intense. "It's not uncommon for these fixations to present as hatred or indifference. The object of their desire is often unaware of the full extent of their feelings until later."

I bow my head, cheeks burning. "He never touched me," I whisper, defending Jared. "Not until recently."

The officer cocks his head, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean, Miss Wilkins?"

I take a shaky breath. "Jared and I... we're involved. It started on my eighteenth birthday. It's consensual, I promise."

Their gazes sharpen, and I can sense their unspoken questions.

Is she telling the truth?

Is she being coerced?

Do we believe her?

"Can you tell us more about the nature of your relationship?" the second officer asks. "When did your relationship become romantic? How did he initiate it?"

There's no way in hell I can tell them how it started. Jared kidnapped me from the carnival, tied me up, and took pleasure from me not entirely consensually, but God, it was hot. That's our secret, one I'll keep buried until I go to my grave.

"It started on Halloween," I state, meeting the officer's gaze. "We kept it hidden because we knew people might not understand. But it's real. Please, you have to believe me."

A long silence follows as they absorb my words. Finally, the first officer speaks. "We'll need to ask you more questions, Miss Wilkins. And we'll need to investigate further. In the meantime, we advise that you stay away from your stepbrother for now."

I can't fathom the idea of staying away from Jared. My heart pounds as desperation wells up inside me. "But why? We're not blood-related. It's not illegal."

Their eyes narrow, and I instantly regret my outburst. Mom gasps, her hand flying to her mouth.

The officer clears his throat. "Even so, the circumstances surrounding your relationship with your stepbrother are complicated. There's evidence of an unhealthy obsession and stalking that predates any romantic involvement."

I shake my head, shoulders slumping. "But it's consensual. He loves me, and I love him. I can't stay away from him," I whisper, "He needs me."

The officers exchange a weighted glance. "We'll need to look into this further," the taller one says. "Given the history and the power dynamics at play, we must investigate potential charges and ensure your safety."

Defeat washes over me at their words. How can I make them understand?

"Where is he now?" I ask, my voice cracking. "Is he here?"

"We have him in custody for questioning," the officer replies, his gaze unwavering. "He'll be held until we can determine the full extent of his actions and the charges we need to press."

The words hang in the air, filling the room with an oppressive silence. Jared, in custody, because of me?

"I want to see him," I state, lifting my chin defiantly. "You can't keep us apart."

"Aria, honey, listen to them," Mom pleads. "They're only trying to help."

I turn to her, my heart twisting at the devastated look on her face. Taking a deep breath, I meet her gaze steadily. "You don't understand, Mom. What Jared and I have... it's more than just some crush or unhealthy fixation. It's real. It's everything."

My voice cracks on the last word, the weight of my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. But I refuse to back down, not when it comes to Jared. He's my light, my darkness, my everything.

"We will be in touch," the police officer says, both standing. "It's best you keep your distance from the police station."

Once they're gone, my mom and stepdad leave me alone in the living room. I pace back and forth, fury building inside me.

How could Lisa do this to me?

After everything we've been through and all the secrets I've entrusted her with, she goes behind my back like this.

The sound of the doorbell interrupts my furious thoughts. I wrench open the door, and there she stands—Lisa, her eyes filled with worry and guilt.

"What are you doing here?" I snap.

Lisa flinches. "Aria, please, let me explain."

"Explain?" I echo. "Explain how you could betray my trust like this?"

She takes a tentative step forward. "Aria, I was trying to help you. I was worried about you."

"Worried?" I let out a harsh laugh. "You crossed a line, Lisa. You know how much Jared means to me and used that against me."

Lisa's face falls. "I'm sorry, Aria. I truly thought I was helping."

"Helping? By making me out to be some sort of victim? Assuming I'm incapable of making my own decisions?"

Lisa's eyes shimmer with tears, but I don't pity her. She made her choice, and now she must live with the consequences.

"Aria, listen to me." Lisa's voice cracks, her eyes pleading. "Jared is dangerous, and you know it. He's been obsessed with you for years. You have to see that."

I recoil, my anger flaring. "He loves me," I insist. "He understands me, accepts my darkest parts without judgment."

Lisa's looks hurt. "I was trying to protect you, Aria. I never meant to hurt you."

I shake my head, my eyes narrowing. "Get out, Lisa. You're not my friend anymore. You betrayed my trust, and now you ask me to forgive you? It's too late for that."

She takes a step back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but I turn away. "Goodbye, Lisa," I murmur. "I hope you can live with yourself after this."

And with that, I walk away, leaving behind the shattered remnants of our once cherished friendship. Our bond, secrets, and shared laughter—all reduced to ashes.

Because of Jared and I, together, we're an inferno that consumes everything in its path, purging the disloyal.