**Chapter: Divided Loyalties**Lisa stared at the dimly lit hospital room, the rhythmic beeping of machines filling the silence. Evelyn lay unconscious on the bed, her face pale, the deep gash on her side still fresh from the attack. Lisa couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy despite everything she knew about Evelyn’s past actions. No one deserved to be in such a state, and as a nurse, it was her duty to care for those in need, regardless of personal feelings.Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her thoughts. She didn’t need to check to know who it was. Ace had been calling her incessantly since he found out she was at the hospital. With a resigned sigh, she picked up the call.“Lisa, where are you?” Ace’s voice was tense, a mixture of concern and frustration.“I’m at the hospital, Ace,” she replied, keeping her tone even.There was a brief silence on the other end before Ace spoke again, his voice sterner. “I want you to come home. Now.”Lisa frowned, her grip tightening on
The tension that had simmered between Lisa and Ace over the phone now hung heavy in the air as she made her way back to the mansion. The argument had left a bitter taste in her mouth, and the guilt gnawed at her. Despite her resolve to stay with Evelyn, the thought of Ace alone, hurt, and possibly feeling betrayed because of her choice kept tugging at her heart.The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Lisa pulled up to the mansion. The grand estate, usually a symbol of comfort and safety, now seemed cold and unwelcoming. The lights were on, casting a soft glow through the windows, but the warmth they usually represented was absent. Lisa took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She stepped out of the car, her footsteps echoing in the quiet evening as she approached the front door. It swung open before she could reach for the handle, revealing Ace standing in the entryway. His face was a mask of indifference, the usual warmth in his eyes replaced with a cold
The days that followed were heavy with tension, a lingering cloud of unease that seemed to follow Lisa and Ace wherever they went. The mansion, once a place of comfort and warmth, now felt like a cage, its grand rooms echoing with the silence that had settled between them. Lisa went about her daily routine, but everything felt mechanical, as if she were just going through the motions. She missed Ace—missed the connection they once had, the laughter, the easy banter—but every time she tried to bridge the gap, she found herself at a loss.Ace, for his part, had thrown himself into his work. He spent long hours in his study, buried in paperwork or on endless calls, trying to put together a new security plan that would ensure no one else would be hurt on his watch. When he wasn’t working, he was meeting with his security team, going over protocols, and making sure every detail was accounted for. Lisa knew he was avoiding her, and while she tried to give him the space he said he needed, it
Dark IntentionsRichard Kane strode through the hospital’s corridors with a purposeful gait, his polished shoes clacking against the linoleum with a rhythm that resonated like the ticking of a clock. Every step he took was measured and deliberate, exuding the cold confidence of a man who believed the world bent to his will. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils, mingling with the faint scent of despair that seemed to hang in the air of every hospital.The bright fluorescent lights overhead did little to soften his hardened features. Richard was a man accustomed to control, to power. He was the type who could look into a person’s eyes and see exactly how to break them. Today, though, his eyes held an emotion he rarely let surface—anger. The nurses and doctors bustling around the hospital’s emergency wing barely registered his presence. They were too busy with their duties to notice the storm that had just walked through their halls. One nurse, however, did look up, and h
Each man was dressed in dark clothing, blending seamlessly with the night, their faces obscured by the hoods of their jackets. They moved with a practiced stillness, honed from years of lurking in the darkness.The man closest to the entrance, a tall, burly figure with a rugged beard, shifted the weight of his gun against his shoulder. The metallic sound was faint but distinct, catching the attention of the leader standing next to him. The leader was a slender man, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as they tracked Richard Kane’s movements inside the hospital.Richard emerged from the hospital, his expression twisted into a scowl as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. He didn’t notice the men watching him as he strode purposefully toward his car, the sharp clack of his shoes against the pavement echoing in the stillness.“Should we strike now?” the burly man asked, his voice a low rumble as he adjusted his grip on the weapon.The leader glanced at him, a smirk play
The night had deepened by the time the men left the vicinity of Richard Kane's house, their car disappearing into the shadows like a specter. Inside the house, Richard moved with a sense of purpose, each step calculated and deliberate. His thoughts were a chaotic swirl of frustration, anger, and a hint of fear. He couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that his every move was being watched, that someone—maybe more than one—was waiting for him to slip up.As he walked through the grand foyer of his home, his mind raced over the events of the past few days. Evelyn was in a hospital bed, unconscious, and while he outwardly played the role of the concerned husband, inwardly he seethed with contempt. She had failed him, and now he had to clean up the mess she had made. But the question that gnawed at him was: how much did Ace know? How much had Evelyn revealed before she was incapacitated?Richard’s hands clenched into fists as he ascended the marble staircase to his study. Once inside, he
Lisa sat on the edge of the bed, the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. She had been up for hours, her thoughts racing about everything that had transpired. Evelyn’s stabbing had come as a shock, and while Ace had shown little concern for his sister’s condition, Lisa couldn’t ignore the fact that Evelyn was lying in a hospital bed, possibly fighting for her life.She glanced over at Ace, who was still asleep, his features softened in the early morning light. He had been through so much, and she understood why he held such deep resentment toward Evelyn, but she also knew that leaving things unresolved could only lead to more pain. With a deep breath, she decided it was time to talk to him about visiting his sister.Lisa gently placed a hand on Ace’s shoulder, giving him a soft shake. “Ace, wake up,” she said quietly.He stirred, his eyes slowly opening as he blinked away the remnants of sleep. “Morning,” he mumbled, stretching out before
The night air was cool as Ace and Lisa walked along the quiet streets, hand in hand. The city’s usual hustle and bustle had quieted, leaving only the soft hum of distant traffic and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. It was one of those rare moments when the world seemed to slow down, offering a brief respite from the chaos that often consumed their lives.Lisa looked up at the sky, noticing how clear it was tonight. The stars twinkled above them, like tiny diamonds scattered across a dark velvet canvas. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of calm that she hadn’t felt in a long time. It was a welcome change from the tension and uncertainty that had surrounded them lately.Ace squeezed her hand, drawing her attention back to him. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his voice low and soothing.“Just how peaceful it is tonight,” Lisa replied, glancing up at him. “It’s nice to have a moment like this, where everything feels…normal.”Ace nodded, his expression softening
A year had passed since the chaos, and now, the air in their new home was filled with a sense of peace that neither Ace nor Lisa had ever known. They were far away from the world they used to know, the one that had been filled with danger, betrayal, and uncertainty. It was a small, quiet life now, one where the past didn’t matter, only the future they were building together.Lisa cradled their baby girl in her arms, smiling down at the tiny face that had completely changed her world. Their daughter, with her soft dark hair and delicate features, was the perfect blend of both of them. A reminder of the love and strength that had carried them through everything.Walking down the hallway of their cozy little house, Lisa could hear the faint sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore in the distance. It was serene, soothing in a way that felt like a lullaby to her soul. She made her way to the room where Ace was sitting, his back facing the door as he gazed out the large windo
Ace leaned against the doorframe of the small bedroom where Lisa lay resting. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated her peaceful face, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded just hours ago. He couldn’t stop thinking about Richard’s lifeless body and how close his wife had come to harm. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, and the only thing keeping him grounded was the sight of Lisa, safe and sound in their bed."Stay here," he whispered softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead. Lisa stirred but didn’t wake, her exhaustion finally catching up with her after everything that had happened. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then turned to leave the room, closing the door quietly behind him.Ace’s expression hardened as he walked down the hallway toward the warehouse's lower levels, where Evelyn was being held. His men had taken care of Richard’s body, as per his orders, disposing of it far away from their hideout. Now, there was one
Grey stood outside the cell where Evelyn was being held, watching her through the small window. The bruises and cuts on her face were evidence of the fight she had put up, but there was no sympathy in his eyes. She had brought this on herself, and Grey had no more business here. His part was done—he had helped Ace capture her, and now it was time for him to leave.He pushed the door open and stepped inside, the cold air of the cell greeting him as the heavy metal door closed behind him. Evelyn was slumped in the corner, her arms wrapped around her knees, her hair hanging loosely over her face. She didn't look up as Grey entered, but he could sense that she was fully aware of his presence.A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he sat down in the lone chair facing her. "Oh, poor Evelyn," he said mockingly, his voice filled with dark amusement. "I must say, it's been quite a ride, hasn't it?"Evelyn remained silent, her head tilted slightly, but she didn’t look at him. Grey didn’t
Lisa lay peacefully in bed, the soft warmth of the blankets cocooning her, her body relaxed as sleep slowly pulled her under. She was vaguely aware of the gentle ticking of the clock on the wall and the quiet hum of the house, sounds that had become comforting in this strange new place Ace had brought her to.But then, something shifted. A sound, almost imperceptible, but enough to make her stir.Her brow furrowed, still caught in the remnants of a dream, as she called out, "Ace?"There was no reply.She blinked her eyes open, pushing herself up on the bed. Her hand reached out, instinctively seeking Ace’s familiar warmth beside her, but her fingers touched only cool, empty sheets. Her frown deepened as she sat up fully, glancing around the dark room. Where was he?"Ace?" she called again, louder this time.Still nothing.A chill crept up her spine as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, slipping her feet into her slippers. Something didn’t feel right. Her heart began to bea
Ace sat in his office, fingers drumming against the wooden desk as he stared at the stack of papers in front of him. His mind wasn’t on the documents, though. No matter how much he tried to distract himself with work, his thoughts always drifted back to Lisa and the baby. He hadn’t been home much lately, caught up in his dealings, and a part of him knew he was avoiding her.His phone buzzed on the desk, pulling him from his thoughts. He picked it up, seeing Grey’s name flash across the screen.He answered immediately. “Grey?”“We have her,” Grey’s voice came through, cool and composed. “Evelyn’s in our custody. She’s in the cells now, and we rounded up a few of her men, but Richard wasn’t with them.”Ace’s heartbeat quickened. They had Evelyn. Finally, they had her. But the news about Richard not being there left a bitter taste in his mouth. That man was like a ghost, always slipping through their fingers.“I’m coming soon,” Ace said, his voice firm. He stood up, grabbing his coat, a
Ann sat in the dimly lit room, her hands trembling slightly as she held the burner phone.Grey and his team had just briefed her on the plan—she was to call Evelyn, pretend to be sorry, and offer her some fabricated information about Ace and Lisa. It was a risky plan, but one they hoped would finally lead them to capturing Evelyn. Her mind was racing, trying to process the weight of what she was about to do. She had betrayed Lisa once by working with Evelyn, and though she had switched sides, the guilt still gnawed at her. Now, they were asking her to go back into the lion’s den, to trick the very person who had manipulated her before. Grey stood across from her, his expression calm but serious. “Are you ready?”Ann swallowed hard, nodding. “Yeah… I’ll do it.”One of Grey’s men handed her the phone, the screen lit up with Evelyn’s number. Ann’s thumb hovered over the call button for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this call would either lead to Evelyn’s capture o
Grey stood in the dimly lit room, his phone in hand as he looked at the group of men before him. They were a small but elite team, hardened by years of working in the shadows, each of them bound by loyalty to one another.Ace had been one of them once, and now that Lisa was back, Grey felt a sense of relief. They were all in this together again.“I just spoke to Ace,” Grey began, his deep voice cutting through the silence. “Lisa is back. She’s safe. But things are still tense between them.”The men exchanged glances, some nodding in acknowledgment, others frowning at the thought of the ongoing tension between Ace and Lisa. It had been a long road for the couple, and though Lisa’s return was a relief, it was clear that the war between them and their enemies was far from over.One of the men, a tall, muscular figure with a sharp jawline and a serious expression, stepped forward. He was known as Briggs, and he was the leader of their small group, a strategist who rarely spoke unless he h
Evelyn leaned back in her plush chair, the dim light of the room casting shadows across her sharp features. A slow, satisfied smirk spread across her lips as she watched the live feed of Richard locked up in the isolated house. He was pacing, his usual calm and controlled demeanor slipping as he realized the gravity of his situation. It brought Evelyn a sense of twisted satisfaction to see her husband, always so proud and calculating, reduced to a caged animal."How the tables have turned, dear Richard," she whispered to herself, her fingers drumming on the armrest. The power shift between them was intoxicating. He had been trying to control her for too long, always thinking he could outsmart her, manipulate her into submission. But Evelyn had always been one step ahead, playing the long game, and now, with Richard out of the way, her plans could finally proceed uninterrupted. Or so she thought.A knock on the door interrupted her moment of victory. One of her men entered, his face
Ace stood at the far end of the room, arms crossed as he watched Lisa enter. His expression was cold, eyes narrowed, the tension in the room palpable. Lisa could feel the weight of his stare, the anger simmering beneath the surface. It wasn’t like him to be so distant, so guarded. But she understood why—everything had been spiraling out of control, and her sudden return had likely only added to the chaos.“Why are you here, Lisa?” Ace’s voice was low, almost a growl. He took a step forward, his eyes locked on hers, searching for answers.Lisa took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before responding. “I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer. I came because I needed to tell you something important.”Ace’s jaw clenched as he shook his head. “You should’ve stayed where you were. I put you there for a reason. It was to keep you safe.”“Safe?” Lisa scoffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “How can I be safe when everything is falling apart around us? Evelyn has her claws