Aurora's head was still spinning, but Marco's words hit like a bucket of ice water.

So this was how it was.

Even if she was lying here, bleeding, she was still the villain.

She ignored him and turned to Sofia instead. "Then let's call the cops. Let's see who's actually to blame."

Marco had never heard Aurora sound so indifferent before. It twisted something in his chest.

"Fine, call them. You think I—"

Sofia paled and yanked his sleeve before he could finish.

There were no security cameras, but if the cops started checking for fingerprints or evidence, things could go south fast.

"Forget it," she murmured. "I'm not hurt. No need to make a scene in front of Prof. Serrano's house. Let's just drop it. I'm sure Ms. Diaz didn't mean to."

Marco frowned, holding Aurora's gaze just long enough to make it a warning before finally backing off.

Aurora looked away, forcing down the dizziness as she turned and walked down the stairs.

***

Outside, Aurora pressed a tissue to her bleeding wound, waiting for a cab.

It wasn't long before Marco and Sofia came down, both looking pissed. Even better? They still had all the expensive gifts they'd brought—completely untouched.

Guess Professor Serrano hadn't even bothered humoring them.

Aurora watched, barely hiding her amusement. Seeing them this frustrated? Totally worth it. Even the pain from her injury felt a little less sharp.

Sofia glanced up, caught Aurora watching, and flushed in humiliation. She ducked her head, tugging at Marco's sleeve. "Do you think Ms. Diaz said something to Prof. Serrano?

"Otherwise, I don't get it. Why wouldn't she even let me present my work before shutting me out?"

Marco's expression darkened.

Aurora had to be behind this. Still bitter about what happened and trying to sabotage Sofia just to prove something—and maybe get his attention.

Too bad it wasn't gonna work.

Pulling Sofia into his arms, Marco stepped up to Aurora. "I don't know what you told Prof. Serrano, but if I find out you're playing dirty, you'll regret it."

Aurora met his glare without flinching. "Maybe your girlfriend should try being competent for once instead of blaming me for her failures."

Marco's expression darkened further. He was about to snap back when his gaze caught on the blood streaked across her face.

He hesitated.

She really had hit the stairs hard. Was she seriously hurt?

Sofia noticed his shift in focus. Her eyes flickered before she tightened her grip on his arm. "Marco, I feel a little dizzy... I think my blood sugar's low."

Instantly, his attention snapped back to her. "You're dizzy? I'll take you to the hospital."

Without another word, he scooped her up and walked off, not sparing Aurora another glance.

Aurora watched him disappear, then let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.

She got into her cab and left without looking back.

The next day, an unknown number popped up on Aurora's phone.

Lately, she'd been dealing with delivery services and moving companies, so she answered—only to hear Marco's voice.

"Come get your stuff from my place. If you don't, I'll toss it. And..."

He hesitated, tempted to ask why she'd blocked him. But no—she was just playing hard to get. If he pushed, she might think she still had a chance and start clinging again.

What he didn't expect? Aurora's completely indifferent response.

"Got it."

Then she hung up. Just like that.

Like he was nothing.

Marco stared at his phone, unreadable.

Sofia, noticing, leaned in. "Marco, the interview's tomorrow. I'm so nervous. What if Ms. Diaz holds a grudge and tries to ruin my chance?"

Marco snapped back. "No one's messing with the interview. Just focus on proving yourself."

Sofia nodded, resting against his chest, but her eyes? Ice cold.

***

Aurora reached Marco's apartment building and stepped into the elevator, glancing at the time. She mentally ticked off what she needed to grab.

Then the lights flickered.

The smooth ascent jolted. The car shuddered.

Her body went rigid. Maybe it was nothing—

But fate had other plans.

Another flicker. Then a sharp pop.

Total darkness.

Aurora's breath hitched. A cold tremor ran through her.

Locked in a kindergarten classroom as a kid, she'd been claustrophobic ever since. Tight spaces with no way out? Her chest would tighten, her pulse would skyrocket, and if she was stuck too long—pure, suffocating panic.

But even with terror clawing at her throat, she forced herself to act. She slammed the emergency button.

"Hello? The elevator's broken! Someone needs to send maintenance—"

The response wasn't a technician.

It was Marco. Cold. Unyielding.

"You're staying put until Sofia's interview is over. Don't bother struggling. I'll let you out when it's done."

Aurora's blood ran cold.

Even an idiot could see what was happening.

Marco had locked her in.

He thought she'd try to compete with Sofia for the spot with Professor Serrano—so he took the easiest way out.

But he knew. He knew what this would do to her.

"I'm not even in the selection! Let me out!" Aurora pounded on the doors, forcing down the panic clawing at her throat.

"Nice try. You've been making too many moves lately. Time you learned a lesson."

He didn't believe her.

And then—he cut the line and walked away.

Aurora pounded on the doors, fists aching, but the only response was Marco's footsteps fading into the distance.

Then—silence.

Total, suffocating darkness.

She hugged herself, but it did nothing to stop the trembling.

Cold seeped into her skin, slow and merciless, like sinking underwater—dragging her down, crushing her beneath the weight of fear.

***

Marco made sure no one would fix the elevator anytime soon, then headed off to wait for Sofia's interview results.

But as he sat there, Aurora's voice echoed in his mind—desperate, raw.

He'd never seen her like that before.

It unsettled him.

Finally, Sofia walked out, pale as a ghost.

"Marco... I didn't get selected. I failed. What do I do? Am I useless? Am I worthless?"

Tears streamed down her face, her whole body shaking.

Seeing her so fragile, Marco felt his chest tighten. In that moment, Aurora vanished from his thoughts.

He pulled Sofia into his arms, murmuring reassurances. Wanting to lift her spirits, he took her home, bought all her favorite foods, and stayed by her side until she finally calmed down and fell asleep.

By then, it was late.

Only then did it hit him—Aurora was still in that elevator.

His stomach lurched.

He moved to leave, but Sofia, half-asleep, clutched his shirt. "Marco... where are you going? Are you leaving me? Don't go... I'm scared..."

He hesitated.

Aurora's situation flickered in his mind—just for a second.

Then he pushed it aside.

Sofia needed him.

So he stayed.

***

Aurora had no idea how long she'd been trapped.

By the time someone finally noticed the malfunction and pried the doors open, she was barely conscious from lack of air.

They rushed her to the hospital. The doctors said she was stable, but she'd need to stay under observation.

Yet even as they reassured her, the sound of her own pounding heartbeat roared in her ears, drowning out everything else.

Then—her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

A video.

Marco, holding Sofia, soothing her to sleep.

The scene was peaceful. Sweet, even.

Aurora's breath hitched.

Because while they were wrapped in quiet comfort, she had been caged like an animal, left to suffocate.

A fresh wave of rage surged through her already hazy mind.

Fingers shaking, she typed.

[So, you locked me up and still didn't get picked? Useless.]

She didn't wait for a reply.

Blocked. Immediately.

But even after that, her pulse stayed erratic, her breathing uneven.

No matter how hard she tried, the panic wouldn't fade.

A nurse eventually noticed and gave her a sedative, forcing her into sleep.

But even unconscious, the suffocation only got worse.

In her dream, she was drowning.

Struggling. Gasping for air—

Aurora's eyes snapped open.

And in the darkness, a pair of cold, ruthless eyes stared back at her.