The world stood still as the sharp crack of the gunshot echoed through the mansion. Eva's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. Her eyes darted to Alexander, searching his face for any sign that he was injured, but his gaze was fixed on Olivia—unwavering, determined.
Eva's heart pounded in her chest, and she instinctively moved closer to Alexander, ready to shield him if necessary. But then she realized—it wasn't Alexander who had been shot. It was Olivia.
The sound of her collapsing to the floor was almost drowned out by the following silence. Eva's gaze shifted from Olivia's crumpled form to the source of the shot. Standing just beyond her, a figure emerged from the shadows, and Eva's breath hitched.
It was James.
His expression was unreadable as he lowered his weapon, the cold glint in his eyes not betraying any emotion.
Olivia lay sprawled on the floor, her hand gripping her side where blood began to stain the fabric of her clothes. Her face was twisted in pain, but there was also something else—shock. She hadn't seen this coming. Neither had anyone.
"You..." Olivia gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. "You… betrayed me?"
James didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked closer to her, his footsteps measured, deliberate.
"You think I care about your little vendetta against Alexander?" James said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You were always just a pawn in this game, Olivia. I made a deal with your father to take control, but I never needed you. Not really."
Olivia's face contorted in fury as she struggled to sit up, her hand still clutching her side. "You've lost everything... Everything you've built—"
James interrupted her with a cold laugh. "Everything I've built? No, Olivia. You've lost everything."
As if to emphasize his point, he turned his gun toward her. But before he could do anything, Alexander moved—faster than Eva could track.
The next moments were a blur of motion. Alexander was in front of James, pushing the gun away, his own weapon drawn in a flash. "No more," he growled, his voice low and threatening. "This ends now."
Eva watched with bated breath, her heart racing. She could feel the tension crackling in the air, the sense of danger more real than ever before. This was the culmination of everything—Olivia's betrayal, James's deception, the war they had all fought through to get to this moment.
James chuckled darkly. "You think you've won, Alexander? You're just as trapped as I am. It doesn't matter what happens next. You and Eva are finished. This game is over."
Alexander didn't flinch. His gaze never left James's. "No, James. The game is over for you. For Olivia. And for anyone who thinks they can take us down."
With that, Alexander lunged. The next few moments passed in a flash, but there was no question who had the upper hand. Alexander was a seasoned fighter—he was quicker, stronger, and ruthlessly determined. With one swift motion, he disarmed James, sending the weapon skittering across the floor.
James was pinned to the ground in seconds, gasping for breath as Alexander held him there. "You're done," Alexander said, his voice a low growl.
Eva's heart raced, but she couldn't help the small wave of relief that washed over her. It was finally over. The man who had caused them so much pain was at their mercy. But even as she thought this, a nagging sense of unease lingered.
Olivia groaned from the floor, struggling to sit up, her face pale and furious. She was alive—barely, but alive. Her gaze flicked between James and Alexander.
"You think you've won, don't you?" Olivia spat, blood still staining her lips. "But I'll be back. You'll regret this. I swear to God, you'll regret—"
"You're finished," Alexander interrupted, his voice cold and unwavering. "Both of you. And when I'm done with you, I'll make sure you never threaten my family again."
Eva could feel the weight of his words. There was no mercy left for them. This was the end of the line for Olivia and James.
Alexander stood, turning to Eva. His eyes softened when they met hers, but the exhaustion in them was unmistakable.
"It's over," he whispered, reaching for her hand. "It's really over."
---
Later That Night
The mansion had fallen silent once again. The storm outside had cleared, leaving only the faint sound of raindrops against the windows as the night began to settle.
Eva and Alexander sat together on the balcony, the soft light of the moon casting a glow over the landscape. The chaos, the violence, it was all behind them now. But the relief that should have come with their victory was laced with something else—something deeper.
Alexander's arm was around Eva's shoulders, his warmth a stark contrast to the chill of the night air. But neither of them seemed to mind.
"Are you alright?" Alexander asked softly, his voice filled with concern. He brushed a strand of hair from Eva's face, his touch gentle.
Eva leaned into him, sighing deeply. "I'm… I'm just glad it's over. For now."
"For now," he agreed, his tone laced with a quiet strength. "But whatever comes next, we'll face it together. You're safe now. I promise."
Eva turned to him, her eyes meeting his. "I know. And no matter what happens, I'll always stand by you, Alexander."
He pulled her closer, his lips brushing against her forehead in a tender kiss. "I love you, Eva. You are my everything."
And in that moment, as the world outside finally seemed to calm, Eva knew that they had made it through the worst of it. But this wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.