The Beginning of An End

Ian’s POV

The police lights painted the night in streaks of red and blue, casting long shadows across the gravel driveway. Uncle Brown was shoved into the back of a squad car, his face pressed against the glass, eyes burning with defiance even in defeat. I watched as the car pulled away, the weight of his betrayal still settling in my chest like a stone.

Mona’s hand found mine, her fingers threading through my own, warm and steady. *Alive.* That was the word that echoed in my mind. After everything—after the lies, the danger, the years of silence—we were still here. Still standing.

Vance cleared his throat, his arms crossed as he leaned against his car. "We can’t put this off any longer," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "The company, the will, the truth, it’s time."

I exhaled sharply, nodding. He was right. My father’s legacy, Uncle Brown’s vendetta, the secrets that had festered between us—none of it could stay buried. Not if we wanted to move forward.

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**One We