The rain poured heavily that night, drenching the city in a haunting silence. Somewhere deep in the underground ruins of the former Rivera estate, Elena and Richard walked through a narrow escape tunnel. Her torchlight barely illuminated the path ahead, but Richard didn't care. Freedom was in his blood now. Revenge simmered just beneath the surface of his skin.
"You never told me how you survived," Richard said, his voice hoarse.
"I didn't need to," Elena replied coldly. "Just know that every second I breathed after that night, I prepared to destroy the one responsible."
Richard scoffed. "Dylan."
"Not just Dylan," she corrected. "Your grandfather too. He chose Dylan—the bastard child—over you, and he let my family die to keep the underworld in his grasp."
Richard's jaw tightened. "Then we burn it all."
---
Back at the Mansion – Heaven's Unease
Heaven stared out the window of her room. She had just finished helping the nurse feed Michael his soup, and while his fever had gone down, her worry hadn't.
She hadn't seen Dylan in days—not really. He passed her in the halls, offered nods, occasional murmurs. But it was like being near a ghost. She didn't trust him… but she couldn't shake her curiosity either.
Something was wrong.
And she needed answers.
Grabbing a shawl, she quietly crept out of her room, tiptoeing toward the west wing—an area Jayden once said was off-limits.
---
Dylan – The War Room
The west wing was dark, soundproof, and locked from the outside—but Dylan stood inside surrounded by surveillance monitors and files stacked high.
He wasn't alone.
Jayden was beside him, eyes fixed on the screen showing a flickering image of Richard escaping through the back tunnels.
"You were right," Jayden muttered. "He had help."
"Elena," Dylan said darkly.
Jayden blinked. "You know her?"
"She used to be mine," Dylan replied quietly. "Before she vanished. Before Samantha."
Jayden hesitated. "Should we bring her in?"
"No," Dylan said with steel in his voice. "Let her come to me. She won't stop until she's tried to bury me with her own hands."
He stepped toward the screen.
"Let the games begin."
---
Heaven – Secrets Unfolding
Heaven found a room at the end of the west wing. The door was slightly ajar. Her heart raced. She pushed it open, and her breath hitched.
Inside were photographs, maps, and names written on the wall.
Pictures of Richard. Elena. Jayden. Herself.
She gasped.
"What is this…?"
Suddenly, a voice behind her sent chills down her spine.
"You shouldn't be here."
She turned. Dylan stood at the doorway, face unreadable.
"What is all this?" she asked, voice trembling.
Dylan didn't answer. He took slow steps toward her. "Do you trust me, Heaven?"
Her lips parted, eyes flickering with hesitation. "I don't know."
Dylan's eyes softened—just for a moment.
"Then let me show you the truth."