The Traps of Black Swan

Zain and the rest saw Aaron taking a U-turn which would take him back to the Avron mansion that confused the rest while Zain rolled his eyes and got to his car.

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At Avron mansion

Aaron slammed on the brakes in front of the entrance and alighted the car.

Melia who was still standing there uneasily was checking inside when Aaron asked, "Aunt Melia, did Aarvi come?"

"Huh?" Melia was confused hearing it. She followed him inside as she asked in confusion, "Young Master, didn't you get Miss? I was standing here and Miss didn't come home."

Aaron saw all the maids sighing repeatedly as they cleaned. He knew they weren't sad for more work but to know Aarvi wasn't home. They quickly composed seeing Aaron rushing to the stairs and Melia following him.

Aaron noticed the white floor had dust and he was sure Aarvi returned by walking through the woods.

Melia missed seeing Aarvi because she was standing at the entrance of the mansion and Aarvi had her ways to enter the premises from behind but he didn't know how the maids missed seeing Aarvi entering inside from the back or side door.

Melia tried to catch up with Aaron but she couldn't match his speed or long legs but she kept on asking in worry, "Young Master, will I be of any help? Young Miss was so excited, what happened suddenly? Did you scold her? Who was that old man?..." She went on as she followed him to Aarvi's dimly lit bedroom.

Aaron saw Laze wasn't there inside, the walk-in closet door was slightly open. Proceeding inside, he pushed open the door to see the unlighted room. But the lights from the cabinet blocks were serving as faint light to the room.

Melia paused behind Aaron panting to catch a breath. She was about to ask him what he was checking when their eyes fell on Aarvi's sparkly white sequins pumps which were thrown aside.

"Young…" Melia pointed at the shoes and tried to tell, those were the shoes Aarvi was wearing but Aaron raised his hand to stop her from speaking.

Her gaze followed his line of sight to see the beautiful white evening gown's hem had turned brown and the dress was... slit and thrown aside with the scissor laying on it.

The walk-in closet was rather silent, almost making him think Aarvi might be in the bathroom until his eyes fell on the pair of feet. The soft pale feet were brown and bruised with many tiny cuts, he could even spot the dried blood dots.

As he guessed, Aarvi indeed walked through the woods without going towards the lake. If one has to reach from the lake to the Avron mansion, the shortest route is by walking through the dense woods and need to jump the tall fence.

He didn't know how she crossed the fence. He waved his hand which Melia understood, and left silently.

Pushing the door close, he crossed the island cabinet and saw her awake in a nightdress, curled up on the cold floor. Laze had snuggled against her and closed its eyes while her hand softly brushed its fur.

He could only sigh seeing her unreactive despite knowing his presence. Moving closer, he kneeled down behind her and carefully removed a dried leaf from her hair before brushing her hair with his fingers.

Aarvi took a deep breath and breathed out slightly louder but didn't face him. Her voice was bland and too low while saying, "Go, eat and rest." She knew he was tired after a long day and flight.

However, Aaron sat down leaning on the island cabinet. He held a hand around her shoulder and another coiled around her waist, pulling her up to lean on him instead of lying on the cold floor.

Aarvi was quick to scoop Laze to her arms which woke up and softly meowed looking at both. Aarvi thought it might run away but it snuggled against her body to find another comfortable position.

Meanwhile, Aaron folded his leg with his knee facing up as his arm supported her back leaning her left side on him.

Aarvi had to fold her legs which eventually leaned on Aaron when Laze uneasily snuggled before it found a comfortable position.

Aarvi saw it snuggle with Aaron when she was the one carrying its weight. 'Such a rascal.'

Aaron was glad she wasn't pushing him away even though her attention wasn't on him but Laze. He was jealous of Laze which knew to comfort her in silence just by staying beside her.

The time ticked by in complete silence almost making Aarvi regret for running out. "Do you know why I wanted to kill Ava Kelly's identity?" Her low mellow voice was barely a whisper.

Aaron gently rubbed her head but didn't answer. At least her question answered his one question. Aarvi didn't change her name to attack or trick Leon Harmon, it was because of Hayden Kelly and the Kelly family.

Aarvi answered her own question leaning her head on his shoulder, "After waking up from comatose…"

--- Two years ago ---

Abundant sunlight was entering the inside of the bedroom penetrating through the glass wall. The room interior was in typical girl style and it held the elegance and classiness. There were light pink and peaches which were dominated by more white making the room even brighter.

The center of the room had a king-sized white headboard attached bed, There were many pillows of different sizes including the soft fur pillows. And a thick warm duvet perfectly suited for the cold season. There was a pink and peach combination end-of-bed cushion bench that stood little below the height of the bed.

The bedside tables on either side of the bed were in white with golden knobs. Both carried golden rose color vases which were holding fresh pink roses and white table lamps.

A girl who loves simplicity, elegance, and a bright look would fall in love with the room easily and crave to be there. But two things were odd in the room.

A machine that stood at the side of the bed with continuous and regular beeps and a girl was pale as a sheet lying under the duvet without any movements.

Her mocha brown shiny silky long hair was laying on both sides, her long lashes cast a shadow on her pale skin as the sunlight continued to kiss her snowy white skin. Her calm breathing made her look like a lifeless doll.

Suddenly her brows quivered, her eyeballs moved under the eyelids which weren't open for more than nine months. Her soft pink lips slightly moved and her brows continued to struggle for failing to open her eyes.

After several tries, her eyelids opened but squeezed them shut due to bright sunrays. Opening and closing her eyes repeatedly she was finally able to adjust herself to look.

Her whole body felt foreign so as the room. The fresh rose scent hit her nostril, and her skin finally could feel the slight coldness in the air but it was warm under the duvet.

She felt weak to move her hands as she cluelessly blinked to every beep of the machine next to her.

Her first thought, 'How can I be alive? Why am I alive?'