How are you still alive?

Chapter Twenty-four

Aria's pov

"Mate?" he called out, and I froze in horror.

"Mate?" he called again, but I had already ended the call, not wanting Joy to know how rude he was.

"How did you get her number? huh? Tell me," he pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

"Tell me," he said again, shaking me violently.

"Let me go, you're hurting me," I managed to say, trembling with fear.

"Where did you get my mate's number from? Who gave it to you?" he asked, releasing his grip on me.

"That isn't Phila, that's just my friend Joy I was speaking with," I said, fear coursing through me. I hoped it wasn't what I was thinking because if it was, then I was in a mess.

"I'm sorry, I must have overreacted," he said, getting up and trying to maintain a composed expression. I felt the urge to hug him and tell him that everything was okay.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you," he apologized again, and I stared at him in awe. This was the same person who was furious with me just hours ago.

"Come with me," he suddenly