CHAPTER 12

Fiona stared at the message in disbelief, her heart pounding in her chest as the words seemed to etch themselves into her mind. I know what you’re planning. And I’m coming for you. There was no mistaking the cold, calculated tone of the warning. William was no longer just a business rival or an obstacle in her path. He had become a predator, hunting her down with ruthless precision.

For a long moment, she simply stood there, her phone in hand, her mind racing. She had known the stakes were high, but now, the weight of her situation felt suffocating. There was no room for error. The game had shifted, and the consequences of any misstep would be dire. But despite the fear gnawing at her insides, Fiona knew she couldn’t back down. She couldn’t allow William to destroy everything she had worked for—and more importantly, everything she was about to build with Darwin.

Thalassa’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Fiona, what did he say?”

Fiona looked up, meeting her best friend’s concerned gaze. Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to speak. “He knows. He’s coming after me.”

Thalassa’s face tightened with concern. “We need to move quickly. We can’t afford to waste time.”

Fiona nodded, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on her chest. “You’re right. But I need to get to Darwin. If William is planning something, we have to be ready. I need him to understand how serious this is. He can’t keep pretending like this is just business anymore.”

Thalassa studied her, the lines of worry etched deep in her face. “Are you sure? After everything that’s happened, are you ready to confront him again?”

Fiona’s heart fluttered at the thought of Darwin. There was so much between them—so much pain and resentment, yes, but also something deeper, something she couldn’t deny. She had walked away from him once, believing she had to protect herself, but now the stakes were higher than ever. If she didn’t have him on her side, they would be doomed.

“I don’t have a choice,” Fiona replied, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. “We need each other more than ever now.”

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The drive to Darwin’s penthouse felt like an eternity. Fiona’s mind raced as she thought about everything that had led her here. She had always known there would come a time when she would have to confront him again. After all, she couldn’t escape the truth: Darwin was the one person who could help her navigate the tangled web of deceit and betrayal she now found herself in.

But what if she was wrong? What if he didn’t trust her anymore? Fiona pushed the thought to the back of her mind. She couldn’t afford to be weak now. She had made it this far, and she wasn’t about to let William—or her past with Darwin—stand in the way of what she had to do.

As she pulled into the parking garage of the building, Fiona’s heart skipped a beat. She had hoped the meeting would be quick, a mere exchange of information to prepare for the coming storm. But deep down, she knew that wasn’t realistic. This confrontation would be more than just business. It would be personal. And that terrified her.

She stepped out of the car, her legs feeling heavier with each step toward the elevator. She had been in this building countless times before, but tonight it felt different. The air was thick with tension, and Fiona couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching her, waiting for her to make a mistake.

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and Fiona stepped inside, pressing the button for the penthouse floor. As the elevator rose, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She had no idea what Darwin would say when they came face to face. Would he blame her for the mess they were in? Would he accuse her of betrayal? Or would he finally see the truth—that they were both being played by forces much bigger than them?

When the elevator doors opened, Fiona found herself standing before the large, imposing door of Darwin’s penthouse. The luxurious surroundings were the same as always—sleek furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views of the city. But tonight, the space felt cold, impersonal, like a shell that no longer held any warmth.

She knocked twice, the sound echoing in the silent hallway. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing Darwin in a tailored suit, his eyes dark with intensity. The moment their gazes locked, Fiona felt a jolt of emotion course through her—both anger and longing swirling together in a single, turbulent wave.

“You came,” Darwin said, his voice rough, as though he had been expecting her for longer than she had realized.

Fiona nodded, her throat tight. “We need to talk.”

Darwin stepped aside, allowing her to enter. As she crossed the threshold, the familiar scent of his cologne filled the air, a scent she had once associated with comfort but now only served to remind her of all that had been lost. The door clicked shut behind them, sealing them in the same room once filled with hope and desire, but now drenched in uncertainty.

“I’ve been hearing some things,” Fiona began, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions threatening to break free. “Things about William.”

Darwin’s jaw tightened at the mention of the other man’s name, but he didn’t interrupt her. He stood silently, watching her with a guarded expression.

“William’s coming for both of us,” Fiona continued. “He knows about the plan. He knows about everything.”

Darwin took a step forward, his face darkening as his fists clenched. “What is he trying to do? This isn’t just about revenge anymore, is it?”

“No,” Fiona replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is about control. He wants to destroy everything we’ve worked for—and everything we stand for.”

Darwin ran a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. “He’s been manipulating us both this entire time, using every weakness he can find. And now he’s got us right where he wants us.”

Fiona shook her head, her voice faltering. “We can’t let him win. We have to stop him before it’s too late.”

Darwin met her gaze, his expression shifting from anger to something softer. A flicker of regret flashed in his eyes, and Fiona saw the truth she had been trying to avoid. They were both trapped in this game, and the only way out was to confront their enemies together.

“Alright,” Darwin said, his voice steady now. “We fight back. Together.”

Fiona’s heart skipped a beat. She had expected resistance, hesitation, maybe even rejection. But instead, Darwin had offered her something unexpected—a partnership. It wasn’t just about business anymore; it was about them.

But as Fiona opened her mouth to respond, her phone buzzed again, cutting her off. She glanced down at the screen, and her stomach dropped as she saw the name.

Thalassa.

Fiona answered the call quickly. “What’s happened?”

Thalassa’s voice was strained, panic creeping into her words. “Fiona, you need to get out of there—now. William’s men are already on their way. They know you’re with Darwin.”

Fiona’s blood ran cold. They had no more time.