Chapter 24
Online chatter about Alessandro’s “undying devotion” intensified daily, with social media warriors increasingly attacking Aria, calling her “heartless” and “ungrateful.”
Until Marcus–the friend Alessandro had systematically destroyed to the brink of bankruptcy–unleashed a furious Twitter thread that changed everything
“You idiots worshipping this psychopath makes me sick. Let me tell you who Aria Collins REALLY is. When your ‘romantic hero‘ went blind saving his precious ez, Aria gave up EVERYTHING to care for him. She was 22! Should’ve been partying, not wiping a bitter blind man’s ass for SEVEN FUCKING YEARS.”
“The SECOND he got his sight back, mommy dearest decided the caretaker wasn’t good enough for her precious heir. But they seemed happy despite the witch’s interference.”
“Then guess what? Sofia waltzes back in, bats her eyelashes, and this devoted ‘soulmate‘ you’re all crying over? He fucking MARRIED her behind Aria’s back! Who does that?!”
“While Aria’s cooking him dinner, Sofia’s destroying her life, and your boy? Defending the woman who
ABANDONED him while punishing the woman who SAVED him.”
“Your ‘devoted‘ hero knocked up Sofia, then forced her to terminate when it became inconvenient. Then handed her to some perverted old man like she was property.”
“You brainless social media sheep make me sick. Keep worshipping this sociopath. Hell, I hope you ALL find men
exactly like Alessandro Valentini. You deserve each other.”
Alessandro’s carefully constructed image imploded. His family’s PR team worked overtime removing content, but the screenshots spread like wildfire.
He’d been tantalizingly close to finding Aria when those ready to help him turned vicious instead, cursing before blocking him. Enraged beyond reason, Alessandro weaponized his resources against Marcus, driving his former
brother–in–arms into financial oblivion.
Perhaps seeing his life in ruins, Marcus made a final desperate choice. As Alessandro’s Bentley exited the freeway one rainy evening, a battered delivery van appeared from nowhere, accelerating directly into the driver’s side at over 80 mph.
The van disintegrated on impact, killing Marcus instantly. Alessandro’s luxury vehicle prevented immediate death,
but his body sustained catastrophic trauma. His organs began failing, and the collision permanently destroyed his optic nerves–total, irreversible blindness.
When consciousness finally returned, Alessandro found himself trapped in absolute darkness.
He tried to move, but his body felt disconnected–weightless yet completely immobile.
“What’s happening?” His voice was raw with terror. “God, why can’t I see anything?!”
08:36
I Love You So Much. But I Just Don’t Like You’Altyn
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Chapter 24
The familiar, suffocating darkness triggered primal panic. Reality merged with his recurring nightmares as he called Aria’s name repeatedly, his voice cracking with desperation.
No response came until a security guard, irritated by the constant noise, finally snapped: Tor fuck’s sake, shut up. Think you’re still somebody important? Your mommy made it crystal clear–keeping you alive is just for appearances. Can’t handle being a blind cripple? Do everyone a favor and off yourself just stay out of the goddamn public eye.”
“What are you talking about?” Alessandro whispered, his world collapsing further.
The guard started to elaborate when the click of heels approached. The room temperature seemed to drop as Sofia’s voice slithered into his ear.
“Blind again, but this time it’s forever,” she murmured, voice like silk over broken glass. “You know what happens to damaged goods in your world, don’t you? They disappear.”
“Your mother pulled some strings to save me from that disgusting old man. Said I should keep you… company.” Her fingernails traced his cheek. “You’re still her son, after all…”
Unable to see her expression, he could only sense her presence as she leaned closer. Her fingers suddenly gripped his jaw with bruising force–exactly as he had done when he’d discovered her betrayal.
“Isn’t this poetic, Alessandro?” she whispered, lips almost brushing his ear. “We’re finally equal now. Two broken, evil people… destined to rot together in our private little hell.”
His only response was a hollow, broken sound–halfway between a sob and a moan.
