Page 205 of I See You

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Ariel jolted awake, gasping as ice-cold water splashed across her face. Her nose throbbed, already swollen and leaking blood from Dorian’s earlier hit. Her limbs felt heavy and useless, like her body wasn’t even hers. But nothing compared to the pure terror crawling through her when she looked up—and locked eyes with him.

Those cold blue eyes stared down at her, unblinking and merciless. Hassan stood over her, his face carved from stone. Her heart pounded as she looked around, realizing she was in a dark, freezing room— strapped to a metal chair with no way out.

“Please, don’t hurt me!” she screamed, voice cracking.

Hassan didn’t flinch. “My baby probably yelling the same shit right now,” he said flatly, his voice colder than the room. He undid the chains but didn’t back away. “Move a centimeter, bitch, and I’ll peel your fucking skin off with my knife.”

He unsheathed a blade so sharp it shimmered in the dim light. Ariel froze, her breath caught in her throat, trembling under the weight of his stare.

“W-what do you want from me?” she asked, voice shaking like her limbs.

Hassan’s eyes dropped to her stomach. “I thought you was pregnant?”

She flinched. “I—I was. Braxton made me get an abortion. Said he didn’t want the baby... wasn't ready for kids. But I know he still love me.”

Tears fell freely down her cheeks, but Hassan didn’t move. He didn’t feel shit for her. Not after what she did to Sevyn. Not after her betrayal.

“You know that nigga about to die, right?” Hassan said calmly, almost casually.

Ariel’s eyes widened in horror. “No! Please! Don’t kill him!”

She was begging for the life of a man who forced her into an abortion and played her like a pawn. It was pathetic. Hassan could see she still had a twisted idea of love. Maybe she’d always been delusional.

“He got my baby,” Hassan said with a crooked, deadly smile. “He already dead.”

“Who... who’s your baby?” Ariel blinked in confusion. Hassan didn’t answer. He just stepped closer. “Please,” she whimpered again.

“Why you helping that nigga, huh? He clearly don’t give a fuck about you,” Hassan asked, crouching to her level, the blade gleaming as he twirled it between his fingers.

“Because I love him,” Ariel whispered. “Despite everything, I love him.”

“Then die with his dumb ass,” Hassan said coolly, pressing the knife to her skin.

Ariel screamed in terror.

“Wait—wait! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you whatever you wanna know!” Hassandidn’tmovetheblade.

“WherethefuckisBraxton?”

“I—Idon’t—AHHH!”sheshriekedmid-sentenceastheknife sliced a deep line into her arm, blood rushing out fast.

Hassan leaned in closer, his tone dropping to something even more terrifying. “Next one’s across your fucking throat.”

“I swear, I don’t know where he is!” Ariel cried, panicked and trembling. “I only have access to his offshore accounts. I just... He’s waiting on a call from me. He said once I give him the green light, we leave the country.”

“We?” Hassan raised an eyebrow.

“He said it was for us. That the money was for our fresh start— together.”

Hassan sat back and stared at her, then laughed bitterly. “You really believe that?”

“Why else would I be holding his money?” Ariel asked, confused, her voice small.

“He’s running, alright—but not with you,” Hassan said, dark amusement glinting in his eye. “He took Sevyn. That’s who he’s trying to run off with.”

Ariel’s face went pale.

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