เข้าสู่ระบบCHEN'S POV"They should have contacted us by now."Viktor paced the safe house, checking his phone every few seconds. It had been four hours since Sarah, Garrett, and Alvin left for the airport."Maybe the signal is bad," I said, but I didn't believe it."For four hours? All three of them?"I stared at the encrypted line on my laptop. I saw nothing. No message, no ping, no movement on any of the trackers I had quietly embedded in Alvin's bag without telling him. The tracker had gone dead forty minutes into the drive. That alone made my stomach clench.I pulled out my phone and dialled Donald's number. Alvin's contact. The airport security guard who was supposed to move them through.He answered on the third ring. "Hello?""Donald, it's Chen. Have you seen Alvin and the others?"A pause. Too short to be suspicious, but I noticed it."Yeah, they got here about three hours ago. I checked them in myself, took them to the private terminal.""And then?""I went to check on the helicopter. W
SARAH'S POVThe door burst open.Garrett, Viktor, Alvin, and Chen rushed in."Sarah, we need to go," Garrett said urgently. "Now!""Cops are surrounding the house," Viktor added. "We have maybe two minutes."Chen grabbed my arm. "I've prepared an escape route, but we have to leave right now.""This is insane! I didn't do anything!""We know," Alvin said. "But they don't, and if they arrest you, Michael wins."Sirens wailed outside, getting closer. "Sarah, please," Garrett begged. "We have to run."I looked at them—the only people who believed me."Okay," I said. "Let's go."We ran."This way! Run through this route, we're running to the study."Chen's voice interrupted my panic as we ran through my father's house. Sirens were everywhere now, closing in fast."Where are we going?" I gasped."Your father built a tunnel. He told me about it years ago in case something like this happened."We reached the study. Chen pushed aside a heavy bookshelf, revealing a hidden door."Of course he di
SARAH'S POVGarrett squeezed my hand. "You should."I shook my head. "I can't.""You can," Alvin said softly.I stepped forward, my legs threatening to give out."My father never stopped looking for me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "For twenty-six years, he never gave up hope.”A sob caught in my throat as tears spilled freely down my face.“And when I finally found him… when I finally came home to him…” My voice broke. “I only had a few days.”I pressed a hand to my chest, the ache there almost unbearable.“But those few days were enough. Enough to see the way he looked at me… like I was the most precious thing in the world. Enough to feel his love.” My breathing hitched as more tears fell.“I know now that he didn’t love me because I was useful. Not because I was obedient. Not because I could be controlled.”My voice softened, fragile but certain.“He loved me simply because… I was his daughter.I looked at Serena’s coffin, my chest tightening as memories crashed over m
SARAH’S POV"I will. You have my word."He looked at Chen. "Maya. You've been my partner for fifteen years. You're the closest thing Sarah has to family now besides Garrett. Watch over her, and keep her safe.""Always, Lucien. You know I will.""Sarah, come closer."I leaned in."I love you so much," he whispered. "I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Your mother would be proud, too.""I love you too, Dad. Please don't go. Please.""I have to, baby girl, but I'll always be with you. In here." He touched his chest weakly. "Remember that."The machines started beeping faster, erratically."Dad?"His eyes started closing. "No, Dad, stay with me. Please stay with me.""Be happy, Sarah. Live, and love. That's all I ever wanted for you."The beeping became one long, continuous tone."Dad? Dad!"Nurses rushed in. They tried to revive him, but I already knew.He was gone.I crashed on his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "No, no, no. Please come back. Please."Garrett pulled me away gently
FRIEDA’S POVI cried out quietly. "Garrett.""I have got you, baby. Just feel this. Feel me, okay?”He rocked steadily, his lips found mine again.We moved together slowly, then our passion rose but stayed gentle.I came first, shaking hard around him. Tears kept falling, relief mixed with grief.He followed by groaning my name low. Held me tight through it.We stayed bare together, panting heavily. My head on his chest, heartbeat steady under my ear."We are going to be okay," Garrett said. "All of us."I closed my eyes, finally feeling safe for the first time in years.Tomorrow will bring new challenges. Michael was still out there. The trauma would not disappear overnight.But tonight in Garrett's arms, I let myself believe we might actually have a future.A real one, built on love instead of pain.*******The next morning came in the blink of an eye. I woke up late. When I finally opened my eyes, I saw Garrett and his son playing."Higher! Push me higher, Dad!"James's laughter fi
FRIEDA’S POV"Breaking news: The largest human trafficking network in history has been exposed. This is the biggest story yet, and it is trending everywhere," the news anchor said.The voice filled my father's living room. I sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the screen."Agent Maya Chen of Interpol released damning evidence during last night's confrontation, including a client list with politicians, CEOs, and celebrities. Chen exposed it all while the fight went on, and everyone involved was ruined and arrested.""Dr. Patricia Moore, the scientist behind years of hidden, illegal human experiments, took her own life when authorities arrived. Her research spanned forty years and affected many. It is seized now."I flinched. Viktor killed her, but the story was better this way."Michael Van Leer remains at large and is armed and extremely dangerous. Do not approach him. Contact authorities instead."Michael's face showed cold and calculating. He owned me for a ton of yea







