Chapter 8

**Chapter 8**

**Aria’s POV**

It was one of the men who had been filming me earlier. I briefly lifted my gaze and caught sight of a look of pity etched across his features, as if he had just stumbled upon a wounded animal. The scar on my face must have triggered that reaction, reminding him of the fragility of human dignity.

His phone, the very device he had used to capture my humiliation, now hung limply in his hand. “I… I’m sorry,” he stammered, guilt dripping from his words like rainwater from a leaf. “I was just chasing views…” He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting away from mine. “That car was out of line. I can report them if you want.”

I slowly shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper, raw and strained. “Please,” I urged, pulling my scarf up once more to shield my face, “just delete the video.”

He blinked rapidly, his throat bobbing nervously. “Yeah, yeah, I’m deleting it—look!” He turned the phone towards me, fumbling with the screen as if it were a live grenade.

I offered a faint nod, my gratitude almost lost in the chaos of my emotions. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice so soft it was nearly swallowed by the wind.