Chapter 11: The Gathering Storm

The morning light filters through the curtains of my hotel room, casting a soft glow on my face as I lay awake in bed, lost in thought. The previous night's exchange with Ethan has left me feeling both emboldened and uneasy. We’re closing in on Victoria, but the stakes are higher than ever. One wrong move could destroy everything we’ve worked for.

I’ve been up for hours, replaying the conversation in my mind. I sensed the tension in Ethan’s words, the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. He’s walking a fine line between loyalty to his family and his desire for justice. And I know that line is growing thinner with each passing day.

Pushing the covers aside, I rise from the bed and move to the window, gazing out at the city below. The view is breathtaking—skyscrapers gleam in the sunlight, the streets bustling with life.

My thoughts drift to Lily, who’s back in our small hometown, unaware of the storm that’s brewing. I’ve kept my sister in the dark about my true intentions, not