Running away from the past

Payu's eyes locked onto Aria's, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've been running for so long," he said. "Trying to escape the past, but it always catches up to me."

Aria's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of emotion danced in her eyes. She knew exactly what Payu was talking about.

"My father, he...he did some terrible things. And now, someone's after me."

Aria's gaze never wavered, but her eyes seemed to bore into Payu's soul. She knew the truth, knew that Payu's family had been embroiled in a web of deceit and corruption.

And she knew that the figure stalking Payu was none other than her own brother...

Payu's eyes searched Aria's face, hoping for some glimmer of understanding. But Aria's expression remained calm, almost detached.

"I know it sounds crazy," Payu said, his voice laced with desperation. "But I have to get out of here. I have to keep moving."

Aria nodded, her eyes never leaving Payu's face. "I understand," she said. "But where will you go?" Payu hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about Aria's calm demeanor put him at ease.

"I have a place in mind," he said. "A small town a few hours from here. I can lay low there for a while."

Aria's expression didn't change, but a tiny spark of knowledge flickered in her eyes. She knew exactly where Payu was planning to go.

In fact, she knew every step Payu would take, every move he would make. Because her brother, the figure, had been manipulating Payu's life for months, pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

And Aria was trapped in the middle, forced to keep her brother's secrets while pretending to care for Payu's well-being...

Aria's eyes locked onto Payu's, a fake smile plastered on her face. "That sounds like a great plan," she said. "I'll help you get settled."

Payu's face lit up with gratitude, unaware of the web of deceit surrounding him. Aria's heart ached, torn between loyalty to her brother and her growing feelings for Payu.

As the hospital staff began to make arrangements for Payu's discharge, Aria slipped out of the room, pulling out her phone to send a discreet text to her brother.

"Payu's heading to Oakwood," she typed, her fingers flying across the screen.

A response came almost immediately. "Good. I'll take care of it."

Aria's stomach twisted into knots. What did her brother have planned for Payu? And how could she stop it without putting herself in danger? Aria's eyes scanned the hospital corridor, ensuring no one was watching her. She quickly deleted the text conversation with her brother, a habit she'd developed over the years.

As she returned to Payu's hospital room, she found him sitting up in bed, looking more determined than ever.

"I'm getting out of here today," he said, his eyes burning with resolve.

Aria forced a smile, her mind racing with the implications of her brother's plan. "I'll help you get settled in Oakwood," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

Payu's face lit up with gratitude, and Aria's heart ached. She was trapped in a web of lies, and she didn't know how to escape without putting Payu in harm's way.

As they left the hospital, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that she was leading Payu straight into danger. Her brother's words echoed in her mind: "I'll take care of it."

What did that mean? And how could Aria protect Payu without betraying her own brother?

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