CHAPTER 8

Fiona hadn’t expected it to be easy. Nothing ever was where Darwin Solomon was concerned. But as the days wore on, she found herself drawn deeper into his world again—this time, with no illusions about the consequences.

The glittering skyline outside Darwin’s penthouse painted the city in shades of gold and deep violet. From the expansive windows, she could see the towers of Bay City, a world of power, wealth, and the ever-present tension that came with it. Fiona sank back into the plush leather chair, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. Her fingers brushed across the folder in front of her—evidence of the threats closing in on them, on her. The files were filled with betrayal, sabotage, and lies.

Despite Darwin’s warnings, there was still a part of her that wanted to turn away from this fight. After all, she had spent years in the shadows, enduring as Darwin’s stand-in for Lilian. She had watched from the sidelines as his world spun out of control. But now, everything was different. She wasn’t just playing the part anymore. She had a child to protect, and the stakes were higher than they had ever been.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she looked across the room. Darwin sat behind his massive desk, the dim lights casting harsh shadows over his features. He was deep in thought, scanning through yet another set of papers, his jaw tense, his focus sharp. But despite his usual air of control, she saw the exhaustion in his eyes. There was no denying it—the weight of everything pressing down on them both was starting to show.

“I’ll need to get closer to Bella,” Fiona said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but inside, her heart was racing. She had never wanted to get involved with Bella Robbins again, but if there was any chance of stopping her, it had to be now.

Darwin’s gaze snapped to her, and for the briefest moment, something like fear crossed his face. “You don’t have to do this,” he said, his voice low, almost pleading. “There’s another way. We don’t need to risk—”

“I do,” Fiona interrupted, her voice firm. “We both know this isn’t going to go away on its own. Bella won’t stop until she’s destroyed everything we’ve worked for. I’m not letting her do that to me—or to our child.”

Darwin clenched his jaw, clearly torn. There was a part of him that wanted to protect her from the dangerous game she was about to play. But Fiona was resolute, and deep down, he knew she was right. Bella wasn’t going to back down unless someone took control of the situation. And that someone had to be her.

“I’ll be careful,” Fiona added, meeting his gaze. “I know what I’m doing.”

Darwin let out a long sigh, looking back at the files spread out before him. “Fine,” he said, his voice resigned. “But be careful. Bella’s not someone to underestimate.”

Fiona nodded, her mind already working through the steps. She didn’t have the luxury of time. Every second she wasted was another step closer to disaster. And Bella—dangerous, manipulative Bella—wasn’t going to let her off the hook.

---

The next day, Fiona set her plan in motion. She had been preparing for this moment for weeks, carefully watching Bella’s every move, learning her habits, and trying to understand what made her tick. Now, it was time to face her.

She walked into Bella’s office with the same composed expression she had worn countless times before, a mask of professionalism and control. Bella’s office was as sleek and cold as the woman herself—a stark contrast to the warmth and chaos Fiona had left behind in Serene City. It was an extension of Bella’s personality: perfectly calculated, with an air of superiority that was hard to ignore.

Fiona stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in the room. The shelves were lined with awards and plaques—testaments to Bella’s ambition and drive. In the center of the room, Bella herself was perched behind her desk, her sharp gaze already assessing Fiona.

“Fiona, what a surprise,” Bella said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as she eyed Fiona like a predator sizing up its prey. “What can I do for you?”

Fiona forced a smile, stepping fully into the room. “I thought we could talk,” she said, keeping her voice casual. “I’ve been thinking about everything that’s been happening lately. Maybe there’s a way for us to put this all behind us.”

Bella’s expression shifted, the mask slipping for just a moment as she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “You want to make amends? After everything?”

“I know I’m not the person you thought I was,” Fiona said, choosing her words carefully. “But I’ve learned a lot. And I want to make things right, for both of us.”

There was a beat of silence before Bella chuckled softly, her eyes never leaving Fiona. “Oh, I’m sure you do. But don’t think for a second that I’m buying whatever act you’re putting on.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, her smile turning colder. “What exactly is it that you want, Fiona? You think this little speech will make everything go away?”

Fiona remained calm, her gaze unwavering. “I’m not here to convince you of anything,” she said. “I’m just trying to get ahead of the situation before it spirals any further. We both know what’s at stake here, Bella.”

Bella stood up suddenly, her chair scraping against the polished floor. She walked around Fiona slowly, her eyes assessing every inch of her as if trying to discern the truth. Fiona could feel the tension in the room thickening with each passing second.

“You think you’re in control, but you’re not,” Bella said, her voice low. “None of us are. Darwin’s obsession with Lilian—it’s going to destroy everything he’s built. And you, Fiona… you’re just a casualty in his game. Don’t fool yourself.”

Fiona took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. “Maybe. But I’m not going down without a fight.”

Bella’s lips curled into a smile, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “You think you can fight me? You’re not even in the game, Fiona. You’re just a pawn.”

Fiona’s heart pounded, but she didn’t flinch. “We’ll see about that,” she said, turning toward the door. “You’ll understand soon enough that I’m not the one you should be worried about.”

As she stepped into the hallway, Fiona’s mind raced. The confrontation hadn’t gone as smoothly as she’d hoped, but it had still been useful. Bella was rattled, and that was a victory in itself. But it wasn’t enough. She needed more—something to bring Bella’s carefully constructed world crashing down.

---

As Fiona walked through the quiet corridors of the building, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her pulse quickening as she read the message.

It’s happening. They know.

Her breath caught in her throat. There was no mistaking the meaning behind those words. Bella. William. The trap had been set, and it was only a matter of time before it snapped shut.

Fiona’s stomach tightened as she thought about the danger they were all in. This wasn’t just about saving herself anymore. It was about survival.

The game was no longer just Darwin’s fight—it was hers too.

---

Fiona’s thoughts spun wildly as she walked toward the elevator, trying to figure out her next move. She knew that Bella and William would stop at nothing to get what they wanted, but Fiona wasn’t the helpless woman she once had been. She had learned too much about their schemes, and she was ready to fight back.

The elevator doors slid open, but before she could step inside, she heard a voice from behind her.

“Fiona.” It was Darwin.

She turned, locking eyes with him. His presence in the corridor was unexpected but not unwelcome. “You okay?” he asked, his voice soft with concern.

Fiona gave him a small smile, though her mind was still racing. “I’m fine. But we need to be ready. They know. The trap is set.”

Darwin’s face hardened as the realization hit. “Then we have no time to lose. We have to move now.”

Fiona nodded. The battle had only just begun.