CHAPTER 33

The road stretched endlessly ahead, the skyline of Bay City fading into the distance as Darwin’s black SUV sped toward Serene City. The tension in the car was thick, an unspoken understanding that this trip wasn’t just about confrontation—it was about survival.

Fiona sat beside Darwin, her hands resting protectively over her stomach. Every mile that passed was a reminder that she was walking straight into danger. But she couldn’t hide anymore. William may have been behind bars, but his influence had not been locked away with him. And Bella Robbins was proof of that.

In the back seat, Thalassa was uncharacteristically quiet, her gaze fixed on the view outside. Even she knew this wasn’t just another one of Fiona’s battles. This was the war that would decide everything.

Marcus, driving the car ahead of them, spoke through the radio. “We’re ten minutes away. Security is already stationed around the perimeter of your old apartment, but there’s been no sign of Bella.”

“Then we assume she’s watching us,” Darwin said. His voice was calm, but Fiona could hear the restraint beneath it. He was barely holding back his rage.

A cold chill ran down her spine. Bella had always been cunning, but what disturbed Fiona most was her obsession with control. Unlike William, whose power came from strategy and influence, Bella was more unpredictable. And that made her dangerous.

As they neared the city limits, Fiona’s phone vibrated. She hesitated before looking at the screen.

Another message.

“Are you ready to lose everything?”

Her throat tightened.

Darwin noticed her reaction immediately. “What is it?”

She showed him the message. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white.

“That’s it,” he muttered, reaching for his phone. “Marcus, change of plans. Double security at the apartment and have another team sweep the area. Bella is already watching us.”

Fiona swallowed hard. “She’s trying to get inside my head.”

Darwin shook his head. “She’s trying to make you hesitate. She wants you scared.”

Thalassa scoffed from the back. “Well, joke’s on her. I’m scared and mad, which makes me even more dangerous.”

Despite the tension, Fiona let out a small chuckle.

But the feeling didn’t last.

Because as they entered Serene City, a sense of dread settled over her.

Bella was here.

And she wasn’t alone.

---

The old apartment building hadn’t changed. The same faded bricks, the small iron gate, the familiar streetlamp that flickered at night. It was the place Fiona had once thought would be her refuge. Now, it felt like a trap.

Darwin parked the car, scanning the surroundings before stepping out. His security detail was already in position, but that didn’t ease the tension in his shoulders.

Fiona stepped out slowly, her heart pounding. She could feel eyes on her. The air was thick with anticipation, as if something terrible was waiting just out of sight.

Then, a single gunshot shattered the silence.

Everyone ducked.

Darwin pulled Fiona behind him, his eyes scanning the buildings. “Where did it come from?”

Marcus spoke into his earpiece. “Rooftop, south side! We’re tracking movement.”

Another shot rang out, but this time, it hit one of the security cars.

Fiona’s breath came in quick gasps. She had expected Bella to play dirty, but this? This was something else.

Darwin turned to her. “We need to move.”

Just then, a voice echoed from a nearby alley.

“Going somewhere?”

Fiona’s blood ran cold.

Bella stepped into the dim streetlight, her expression twisted in amusement. She was dressed in all black, her hair pulled into a sleek ponytail.

But it wasn’t her presence that made Fiona’s stomach drop.

It was the gun in her hand.

And the man standing beside her.

William Newton.

---

“How?” Darwin growled, his body shielding Fiona. “You’re supposed to be in prison.”

William chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, Darwin. You really think a few handcuffs could stop me?”

Fiona’s heart pounded. This wasn’t possible. The police had taken him into custody. There had been reports, confirmations—how had he escaped?

Bella smirked. “You didn’t really think this was over, did you?”

Darwin’s eyes darkened. “You just signed your death sentence.”

William shrugged, completely unbothered. “I’ve been dead inside for a long time, Solomon. The difference is, now I have nothing to lose.”

Fiona took a step forward, ignoring Darwin’s attempt to hold her back. “What do you want, William?”

William’s gaze flicked to her stomach. His smile widened. “What I’ve always wanted. To take everything from him.”

Fiona’s breath hitched. “This isn’t just about business anymore, is it?”

“No,” William admitted. “This is personal.”

Bella lifted her gun slightly, tilting her head. “And you, Fiona? Are you ready to beg?”

Fiona’s hands clenched into fists. “I’ll never beg you for anything.”

Bella’s eyes gleamed. “We’ll see about that.”

Then she fired.

---

The shot missed—barely.

Darwin tackled Fiona to the ground as Marcus and the security team fired back. Gunfire erupted through the street, echoing against the buildings.

Thalassa scrambled behind the car, swearing under her breath. “This is not how I planned my weekend!”

Darwin pulled Fiona behind cover, his breathing heavy. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” she whispered. But she was shaken.

William and Bella had planned this. This wasn’t just a warning. It was an execution.

Marcus shouted from the other side of the car. “We need to move now!”

Darwin nodded, gripping Fiona’s hand. “Stay close.”

Together, they ran.

The bullets barely missed them, shattering windows and denting metal. Security covered their retreat, returning fire as they reached the car.

Thalassa was already inside, yelling at Marcus. “Drive! Now!”

The tires screeched against the pavement as they sped away. Fiona’s pulse pounded in her ears.

Bella and William were still standing in the street, watching them go.

Smiling.

Because this wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

---

Back at the safe house, Fiona sat on the couch, trying to steady her breathing.

Darwin stood nearby, hands on his hips, his fury barely contained. “I should’ve killed them when I had the chance.”

Marcus sighed, rubbing his temples. “We need to assume William still has contacts inside the police force. That’s the only way he could’ve gotten out so fast.”

Thalassa shook her head. “That was an ambush. They weren’t just trying to scare us—they were trying to kill us.”

Darwin clenched his fists. “Then we stop running. No more waiting for them to make a move.”

Fiona met his gaze, determination burning in her chest. “I agree.”

Darwin looked at Marcus. “Get me everything on Bella’s whereabouts. I want to know who she’s working with, who she’s talking to, and where she sleeps.”

Fiona exhaled. “This ends now.”

No more hiding. No more fear.

It was time to fight back.

And this time, they weren’t playing by the rules.