Liam's pov
It's been 13 long years—13 years of relentless struggle, 13 years of painstakingly rebuilding my father's shattered empire, and still, I haven't forgotten the treacherous souls who orchestrated its ruin. I can still hear my mother's voice.....
Flashback!!
"Liam! Liam!! Hurry, son, you have to hide!"
Panic laced my mother's voice, and I felt a chill run down my spine as I stumbled into the dimly lit room.
"Why, Mum? What's going on?"
I asked, my heart racing as I watched her frantically enter the code to our safe—a desperate attempt to ensure our safety.
"Mum, where's Dad?"
"It's okay, sweetheart. Don't worry. Everything will be fine,"
She reassured me, though her trembling hands betrayed her fear.
"Just, no matter what happens, don't come out," she urged, her voice breaking.
Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as she placed me inside the cramped space, and I quickly wiped them away with trembling hands.
"Please don't cry, Mum?"
I whispered, trying to muster some strength for both of us, even as the reality of our situation settled in like a heavy fog.
I knew what was happening—our world was under attack. But how? We had just moved into this supposedly safe haven, and not all of my father's men were supposed to know about it...
Then I remembered Lyra. I had brought her here and shared this refuge with her in confidence, but in the chaos, she had vanished. Perhaps she had returned to her own home? But could she have betrayed our secret? No, I shook my head, Lyra isn't like that.
Despite the feud between our families, my parents had always welcomed her with open arms, finding her at our doorstep more times than I could count, her frail figure bearing the scars of her own battles. She never spoke much of things that happened in her family, just scars. I always asked, promising her help, but she said she'd be fine. She always assured me. We had laughed, shared meals, and built a bond that seemed unbreakable. I shook my head, willing away the doubt. She wouldn't betray us
Suddenly, the sharp crack of gunfire shattered the stillness, and I clamped my hands over my ears, praying desperately for my family's safety. I couldn't afford to hesitate—right then, I knew the password, and though I was only thirteen, I had become a marksman far beyond my years, having trained under my father's watchful eye. My gaze drifted around the cramped space, landing on documents and stacks of cash securely tucked away. From my hidden sanctuary, I had an unobstructed view of everything, yet the world outside remained blissfully unaware of my existence
Then, with a bone-chilling crack, the door burst open under the strain of gunshots. My mother fell to the floor, her vibrant life bleeding out beside the shattered remnants of a flower vase—a cruel reminder of what once was. Shock paralyzed me, silencing any screams that threatened to come out.
In a blur, I watched as the intruders stormed in, their shadows dancing wildly in the flickering light. Among them was Lyra her eyes cold as she surveyed my mother's lifeless body. I thought I saw a smirk tug on her lips. Or maybe it was the tears in my eyes making me see things. Then another person, Lyra, came in. Lyra had never mentioned having a twin sister. To my horror, Lyra stabbed Lyra after walking in and seeing my mum's lifeless body. She stabbed her and ran away I tried to process it before everything turned black.