"In this world of chaos, she holds the throne;
A queen, a ruler all on her own.
A symphony of power, her reign untamed,
A queen of shadows, forever unnamed."

**************

Lilly's POV

Chaos reigned all around us, like a force of nature, unreconciled. Order and peace got torn apart, unwilling to ever release us from its torturing grip.

Dad, Nikolas, and almost every other man that was in the house left in a hurry after the onset of the hurricane. They went to the destruction site, the one we all witnessed from over here, from behind the small screen. They went to search and look between the remnants for any type of hope.

Like them, I hoped, prayed, and hoped...

My eyes flickered around the room, my hope diminishing the second they fell on Wyatt, he was sitting on the stair's last step, his terrified eyes focused on the door, waiting for his parents to walk right through it and end this nightmare once and for all. Panic ate at his youthful face and my chest felt so tight, constricted, and trapped, as if a thousand hands had grasped and clapped on its cells.

Max sat by his side, he tried to speak to him, to drift his thoughts away, to offer him assuring words and some hope. He rested his hand over the boy's shoulder and squeezed but Wyatt's gaze didn't leave the door for once, his jaw set tight, hands fisted over his knees and he just waited. He couldn't do anything but wait.

I forced my gaze away, I let it fall over my lap and I tried to hit a pause over my messy thoughts. Because the longer I thought of it, the harder it got to breathe, a force so solid and rigid pressing over my lungs, a weight that held me down and immersed me deeper into this chaos.

I got shaken back when I felt gentle fingers rest over my cheek, turning my head around to face him. Blue eyes held mine and I taught myself how to breathe again but the pressure persisted, unyielding and strong over every alive nerve in my being. Stressed lines etched between his eyebrows, "Hey, drink this," He whispered, or I was the one who couldn't clearly hear him, my ears still ringing from the explosion sound; that deafening roar. Even though the sound had died away, its impact lingered still...like a haunting dismay.

His fingers brushed my skin soothingly, "You look so pale," He mumbled as he inched the water's glass to my lips, his eyebrows pulling closer in worry. I brought my hand up, it rested over his as I titled the glass and allowed the water to wash over my dry hoarse throat. He placed it away when I was done but he stayed so close to me, his warmness creeping over my very cold shaking self. I leaned into him, seeking his heat and he brought his arm around my shoulders, tucking me closer.

He brushed something from under my eyes, maybe a lost tear I wasn't aware of had stuck there. Chase inched closer, pressing his lips over my forehead, leaving a gentle kiss, whispering soothing words to me and I let my eyelids drop down as I thought of happy thoughts, as I tried to escape the idea that my family won't be able to handle another tragedy as such.

I let my eyelids glide open and the first thing they met was Christian across the room, whose gaze was already settled on me. He hadn't left yet and everyone was too busy and worried to comprehend or question his presence. He seemed slightly worried, like he genuinely didn't want anyone getting hurt, only doubling my confusion about him and his immense so-called hatred toward my family...or maybe it is just hatred targeted toward my dad only.

Besides the worry, there is that look in his eyes. The one slightly blaming me for being so close to Chase, the one making me feel guilty when I shouldn't. It involuntarily had me straighten up, slightly pulling away; Christian's gaze and presence were getting me so uncomfortable and I wanted him to leave because I wasn't doing anything wrong. I wasn't, was I?

I looked away from him when I heard Maria's voice, my eyes falling on her little self as she descended down the stairs while rubbing a fist into her eye, just now waking up from her nap. Her eyes met mine across the room and she smiled, so innocent, and so unaware of the horribleness and darkness creeping around us from every corner.

Her eyes left me and found Chase beside me, the sight of him had her expression brighten up and she jogged down the stairs faster and closer to us. Chase noticed her presence and leaned forward, smiling the same smile as she paused right in front of him, "Hey, beautiful," He said and she giggled, inching closer and jumping up into his lap, "Chase, you're here!" She said, her baby voice so excited and hopeful.

Chase gathered her in his arms and she wrapped her little ones around his neck, dropping a kiss on his cheek, "I missed you," She commented, tilting her head and gazing at him and I couldn't help but smile back at her adoration for this guy. I mean I definitely can't blame her. He is one of a kind.

Chase chuckled and brushed her hair away, tucking it behind her ear, "And I missed you too."

She kept asking him about where he had been and how does he fly a plane, so enthusiastic and I just sat down and watched them interact, it was the best type of distraction. It worked till I saw two feet get closer to us. I tilted my head up, looking at Christian as he stood beside us, "Is there any news?" He asked, tucking his hands into his front pockets.

I silently shook my head. Maria turned her head and lifted it up, looking at the intruder, "Who are you?" She asked, confused at the new face.

His eyes flickered to her, his eyebrows pulling closer as he gazed at her, like he couldn't understand how a small human could exist and he didn't know how to deal with said tiny human. He kept silent so she started, "I am Maria," She introduced herself, deepening the frown between his brows.

She turned her attention to Chase, "Who is he?" She asked, inching her hand to his shirt and playing with his collar.

Chase shook his head, ever so casually, without even glancing at Christian, "It doesn't matter," He said, "We don't like him very much."

"Oh," Maria said, serious before she lifted her eyes back to him. Christian rolled his eyes at Chase before he looked at the little girl and spoke, "I am Christian."

She shook her head, "I don't care," She said, settling and sinking further into Chase's embrace, "We don't like you," She added ever so casually and it was hard not to smile at her little cute self.

Christian's eyebrow raised, "Definitely his daughter," He mumbled, shaking his head before he looked at me, "Since there isn't much for me to do here, I will head out-" He started to say.

"No one is asking you to stay, anyway," Chase said, his eyes still on Maria as he spoke, earning another glare from Christian.

He looked back at me, "Can we talk?" He asked and I nodded my head, "Go ahead."

He glanced at Chase one more time, "Privately, I mean," he pointed out and I didn't know what to say back. I know Chase isn't very fond of him and me in the same space alone, rightfully so but I know Christian is stubborn enough to make a scene right now.

I turned my head to Chase, I don't know why, to take permission maybe? That was stupid. All of this is just so stupid...

"I will be back in a bit," I mumbled, grabbing his gaze to me, my eyes focused on his expression, trying to detect any change but he seemed calm still. 

He nodded his head, "And I will be right here when you get back," He said, his voice calm still, a bit playful even, almost like he was okay with it, almost like maybe he...trusted me? I swallowed hard and got up to my feet, heading with Christian to the door before we both stepped outside into the chilly late winter night. I paused by the porch and wrapped my arms around myself, waiting for him to speak and just leave.

His gaze flickered around us, it went to the road, to the inside of the house then back to me, his jaw set tight and that same look clouded his gaze, "So-" He started to say but then paused.

My eyebrow raised, "So?"

"Just like that, you are back to him," He grated out, something akin to betrayal clouded his tone and gaze and I wanted to slap him.

"It doesn't concern you," I mumbled.

"Like hell it doesn't, Lilly!" His voice kicked up a higher tone, edging closer to me and I took a step back, keeping a safe social distance between us.

"Don't treat me like I am the wrong one over here," I added, I was starting to get angry. He is making me feel as if I committed a sin.

His jaw ticked and he looked away, he rushed a hand over his face, "I can't believe you picked him," He grated out, as if this was some kind of a competition and I wanted to use one of the techniques Emma taught me about, on how to mash someone's head into a wall for example. The thought of her alone had my inside quiver. God, I hope she is okay...

"I mean yeah I get it, he is a good guy and all," He added, shaking his head, "But he is not the guy for you."

I scoffed, the audacity, "Oh, and who are you to decide that?" I said back, my tone getting furious as well, lately everyone been acting like they know what's best for me, as if I don't have a mind of my own to decide that, "Who are you to know who is 'the guy' for me, do you really think you are that guy?" I asked in utter mockery and he dared to nod his head. I sometimes forget how huge his infinite male ego is.

I scoffed again, a low humorless chuckle left my throat, "God, did you forget everything that has happened," I said because he seemed to have gotten some type of amnesia, "Did you forget that you are the same guy who broke up with me, the same one who lied to me for two years, the one who locked in his room for two days and forced me to see and learn things I was better off not knowing, the one who played the victim's role-"

"Lilly-"

I pointed my finger at him, "No, no, I get to speak now," I was past stopping now, "You are the one who asked me to kill my baby, don't forget that, the same one who said it was for the best when he died," My chest tightened again, recalling back moments I wished to be erased from my memory forever, moments that have shaped the person I am now, the messed up, mentally unstable, suicidal person I've become.

"You are the one who helped Louis or Nathan or whatever the hell his name is," I added bewildered at his previous actions and his boldness to think he is the right one in this situation, "You even went ahead and told him all about the intimate moments we shared, god how could you do that...." I shook my head, running a hand through my hair, so damn disappointed because once upon a time I saw him as perfect; I internally scoffed at my old naive self, it was just the perfect lie he fed me, "So, is that really the type of man you think is the right one for me?"

He stared back at me, silent, because he couldn't defend himself for all he did. In his guilty angry grey eyes, a storm of regret rose, a turbulent sea, and a raging fight, as remorse and fury clashed in their might. His jaw twitched, his gaze flickering away to the dark night before he looked back at me and nodded his head, "Yeah, you're right," He mumbled, his voice though low, it was as tense as the air surrounding our heated argument.

Air harshly pushed out of his chest and with each inhale, it was forced back into his lungs, filled with seething rage, that he released out with each exhale, like a lion's rage. He scoffed, looking me in the eye, "You never stopped loving him, did you?" The blame never once left his tone and he shook his head with a defeated smile, deciding to not dig further and hurt himself more.

He was about to step away and the guilt he forced on me consumed my insides and indirectly my hand shot to his arm, "Christian," I mumbled, my voice lower now because even when he infuriates me, I still care for him in a way or another. I swallowed hard when his eyes met mine and shook my head, "I am not trying to hurt you."

"Too late," He mumbled, "I brought this on myself anyway, so never mind," He pulled his arm away, "I hope Emma is okay," He said, his words genuine before he gave me a small nod, his expression shifting to neutral, trying to hide beneath it a hundred different emotions, "I will see you around, Lilly."

With that, he walked away, getting into his car and leaving. I sucked into a deep breath and looked all around me, my gaze flickering up to the dark sky, hoping that whoever was up there could hear my prayers and would bring Emma back to us any minute now.

I walked inside again, I checked on Wyatt first, who still refused to speak a word before I went back to Chase's side, settling back in my previous spot. He was rather distracted by Maria and her endless questions or maybe he just decided to ignore me for a long couple of minutes. I sank into the cushion with a low sigh, Chase's eyes finally fell on me, "You okay?" He asked, still sounding very calm. Oddly calm, considering...

I nodded my head, feeling as confused as ever. Sometimes I understand him, sometimes I don't. Sometimes, I feel like I know him very well and others like I don't know him at all. Right now, I couldn't for the love of me read behind his neutral expression.

Did he really trust me? Or did he just not care at all? Or was he angry but trying to keep calm due to the current situation? I tried to suppress my frustrated groan and kicked the many questions to the back of my head. I sat down and stared at the door, focusing on the more important thing and praying for the best.

*******************

Three hours later...

The sound of the cars parking outside were enough to shake all of us back in. The silence that consumed the house for the past three hours evaporated into thin air. Everyone got up to their feet and rushed outside. Chase and I carefully placed a sleeping Maria over the couch before we followed them in a hurry.

My eyes first fell on Wyatt, on how he ran so fast toward one of the cars, and that's when I saw uncle Roman get out of it. My gaze flickered all over him, checking for anything out of the ordinary. He looked disheveled in all sorts but at least, he was okay.

Wyatt crashed into his father's arms, hugging him tight. The anguish consumed uncle Roman's face as he pressed his eyes shut and hugged his son back, cradling the back of his head and whispering some words to him.

When Wyatt pulled away, he looked around, his eyes drifting to everyone who went down and to the one person missing still. He faced his father again, his eyes growing wide in pure terror, "Where is Mom?" He asked what we were all thinking.

Uncle Roman's expression twisted into anger, into pain, into hesitation and into a hundred different other emotion that had my heart sink deep in my chest. He looked away for a second, trying to compose himself and not explode all over the place.

My gaze left him and went to Nikolas, whose expression told the same terrible story, the one where they found nothing, the one where they don't know what happened, where they're not sure whether she is alive or...

Unable to stay in one spot, Nikolas walked away from us. Dad followed him, his whole being vibrating with the same negative energy and I knew that nothing was alright.

"Dad?" Wyatt questioned again, terrified lines etching his forehead as he waited for an answer, "Is mom okay? Please say something."

Uncle Roman kicked himself back in, he rested both hand on his son's shoulder, squeezing at them and assuring him, "She is, I am sure she is," His voice laced with so much confidence and belief in her, "If there is anyone who can handle anything, it's your mother, you know that."

Wyatt shook his head in denial, his eyes watering up at the mere thought that maybe she isn't okay at all, his voice breaking down as he whispered, "But dad-"

Uncle Roman shook his head, silencing the kid's doubt, he grasped his face between his hand, "We will find her, I promise, and even if we don't, she will find her way back to us, I am sure of that, and I need you to believe in that too, Wyatt," He tried to give him hope but the boy couldn't believe in anything now, not when his mother's life was concerned and not when he'd never been so close to losing her.

His tears had uncle Roman pull him back to his chest, hugging him so tight, tilting his head down and whispering words in his ear, incoherent to us but whatever they were, they had Wyatt grasp into his father tighter than before.

I wiped under my eyes when I felt the wetness there, my heart a trembling mess, so scared for upcoming events and what's more left in store for us. Mom and Max both had went to uncle Roman's side, Natalie followed the path her husband walked through and I looked away from them all, unable to witness Nathan's words come to life.

My gaze fell on Noah out of everyone, like me he was standing and watching Roman and Wyatt's previous interaction. His brows knitted together in a tight, tense formation, as if attempting to suppress the torrent of conflicting emotions surging through his being. Veins, now more pronounced, throbbed on his temples, conveying the strain of containing a tumultuous blend of feelings.

His eyes flared, they were fierce with fury before they shimmered with a glint of anguish, betraying a profound sense of...hurt that mingled with his obvious anger.

His hands fisted tight on his side before he whirled around and stormed into the house, unable to control himself under the aggression of what was unraveling all around us.

My chest tightened and I turned around as well, following him inside. He looked all over the place after they got back. Did something else happen there? Did they see something no one is daring to say out loud?

I stepped into the house and looked around, searching for him. I looked inside the living room and the kitchen and when I didn't find him, I climbed up the stairs, heading to my old room, the only one in this house that he knew well from when he helped me move out.

The door was left ajar and when I pushed it open and entered, I was met with Noah's tensed back. He was sitting over my bed's edge, elbows propped over his knees, his hands covering and rubbing on his eyes.

His whole being got flustered at the sound of my footsteps inching closer, "Noah," I whispered, softly.

He got up to his feet in a haze, his back still to me and I could see his hand near his eyes again, like he was wiping away something, "Yeah," He said, his voice trying to be steady as he turned around.

He faced me but tried to keep his eyes anywhere but at me.

My heart dissolved in my chest, because I could see it, see the slight redness rimming the edges of his eyes, the wetness on his eyelashes and it only added salt to my gaping wound, "Noah, were you crying?" I whispered, inching closer, my hand reaching for his arm in a soothing manner.

His jaw ticked and he looked away, not allowing me to witness his very rare moment of weakness and I could only think that since he was raised in this family, that maybe he knew her, that he knew her well enough for this to hurt and destroy him too.

He looked back at me, jaw clenching, eyes pained, gosh so pained, like he knew something I didn't and I wanted to cry alongside him, "Lilly, I..." his throat bobbed with hesitation and he looked away, his jaw tight and tense, trying to fight an inner battle I am unaware of, "I need to tell you something," He continued the rest of his word over a tight whisper, his eyes settling back on mine.

His sad brown eyes were glistening and within their earthy hues, a myriad of emotions seemed to ebb and flow, as if reflecting the heavy weight he was carrying over his shoulders, "Noah, you can tell me anything," I offered him a safe ground, my hand reaching out to his, my little fingers wrapping over his own and squeezing.

His gaze flickered to the ground, almost in shame. His whole being seemed dimmed, replaced by a subdued and muted glow. His state altogether tugged at my heartstrings and when he tightened his hold over mine, needing the reassurance, I squeezed back.

"God, you're gonna hate me," He whispered so low I almost didn't hear him, but I did, and his words didn't help at all, they only doubled my confusion and tightened the lines between my brows.

"Noah-"

"Lilly, are y-" Chase's voice had me turn around, interrupting my words as my gaze fell on him halting to a pause by my room's door.

His eyes flickered to Noah then back to me. On cue, Noah took a step back from me, his hand leaving mine, his expression shifting to hide his previous feeble state. I looked at him and he gave me a small nod, "We can talk later, there is something that I need to do," He mumbled, already planning and making his exit.

"But Noah," I mumbled, trying to stop him. He looked so troubled and he was about to say something about it if Chase haven't walked in.

Noah offered me a very small somber smile, understanding my worry, "We'll talk later, I promise," He said before he turned around, he gave Chase a small nod before he walked away.

I let out a low sigh, my shoulders dropping down because nothing was right. Nothing. Chase drifted his gaze from Noah's retreating back and looked at me. He understood the energy radiating off me and inched closer to my side, his arms gently wrapping around my waist and pulling me into his warm embrace.

"I just wanted to check up on you," He mumbled and I sank further into him, "You stormed inside without saying a word."

I closed my eyes, trying not to imagine everything going downhill from now on, "I am just so scared."

My weak whispered word had him tighten his hold around me, "I know," His hand ran through my hair, "But Lilly, we need to have hope or else he will win this."

But that's the thing, I think he already won.

***************

Nathan's POV (The old one xD)

I tried to keep my excitement from bursting out as I watched her from behind the curtains separating the two rooms. I struggled to keep my smile from curving up, but the sight of her across from me, tied down to a chair, head titled to the side uncomfortably, and passed out...it had my lips curl up almost instantly.

This one part in exact was long overdue.

I gazed at her for a long couple of minutes, taking into every little detail I could gather, all while remembering what my dad had taught me about her. Her strengths; many. Her weaknesses; not as much.

I inched closer, pausing only when I was a few inches away from her. My head titled to the side, my gaze tracing the cut engraved over her temple; a one left by the explosion's might. Crimson streams traced a path across her brow and I resisted the urge to inch my fingers and rub it away. I kept my distance, keeping her locked up and tamed for now.

I backed away, thinking of what's to come as I headed to the other room, my mind way too busy as a cough raced up my throat. The pain pressed tighter over my lungs, squeezing at my inner limbs, my eyelids dropped down and I brought my hand closer to cover my mouth. The couple seconds of pain weakened me just enough, because all I felt at that same moment were hands curl over my shirt and slam me against the wall. The hell-

I recovered fast enough and pried my eyes open to meet his inflamed brown ones looking back at me like they wanted to kill, more than ready to dig a hole into the ground and bury me under. Eyes ablaze, like smoldering embers of wrath, burning with intensity along a furious path.

"Where is she?!" Noah bellowed, his voice bouncing off the four walls and I tried to think of reasons for why I shouldn't kill him but unfortunately found none.

My gaze flickered to his hands, to his fingers, very tight around my clothes and my eyebrow raised as I met his face again, "If you don't take your hands off me, I will find other creative ways to pry them off," I said, my voice still held a playful hint, trying to force myself to stay calm. I don't like it when I get angry.

His brows furrowed deep, etching lines of disdain and his jaw clenched tight before he slowly pulled his hands away, remembering who he is and who I am, "Where is she?" He grated out again, his hands fisting on the side.

His lips pressed firm, forming a rigid line, every muscle in his being taut and brimming with agitation. I pushed my body forward, pulling away from the wall and urging him to step back before I fixed my collar like it was the most interesting thing to do now.

"Nathan!" He shot out at my lack of answers, all the hate he had harbored for me pushing him right to the edge. Can't blame him, I did play him good for the past couple of years.

I lifted my unfazed gaze to him before I turned my head to the left, to the next room, pointing and giving him the answer he was waiting for.

His eyes grew wide and he was already moving, pushing past me and stepping across to the other room that contained her. I followed, only to observe. I knew he wouldn't do anything too stupid. He wouldn't want to risk her knowing he is here, in the same place I am.

He paused when he got so close, dropping down and crouching next to her. I moved closer to get a better view, my gaze reading his expression and every slight change it got contoured into.

Lines of anguish etched deeply into his features, carving a roadmap of despair across his face. His eyes dimmed down and he brought his hand forward, his fingers gently rubbed over the blood that covered a small portion of her temple.

His chest heaved, unable to breathe in and out the normal way before his tensed shoulders dropped down, his eyelids fell down too and he retreated his hand back, trying to get a grip over himself, over his anger and pain.

I watched him in pure astonishment, unable to understand the type of connection he shares with her. He pried his eyes open and he got up to his full height, his head turning around and his eyes meeting mine.

If looks could kill, I would be uttering my last words now but much to his dismay, I will squish him before he dares to raise a hand on me again and he knows that very well.

He stormed back to the other room and with one last look at Emma, checking if she was unconscious still, I followed him there.

Once we were away, he faced me, "You won't hurt her," He said, no excuse me, he ordered.

My eyebrow raised and I scoffed, which only infuriated him even more. He took a step closer, pointing his forefinger at me, "Nathan, I mean it!" He snapped, losing his mind apparently, "You won't hurt her, you won't dare to lay a finger on a single strand of her hair, or else I will bring Nikolas here myself, don't forget that I know all of your hiding spots, so don't test my patience, Nathan, don't you dare."

I crossed my arms over my chest, "Really?" I am amused, "And you'd out yourself to them just like that?"

He nodded his head without hesitation, "I don't care," He grumbled out, "You won't hurt her."

He is so funny.

My eyebrows pulled closer, "You see, I just don't understand it, she literally killed your father, did you forget that?"

His jaw tightened at my words and he gave no comment on the subject, "I don't understand it because you didn't even react with this intensity when I caught and hid your real mother," I remarked, "So, elaborate, please, I really want to know what is so fascinating about them, that neither you nor Christian can resist."

It was starting to play on my nerves, I won't deny that. First Christian and now him. Yeah, I am gonna really have to kill someone soon to prove a point over here.

"You heard me, you won't hurt her," He added again, stressing on each word, clenching his jaw tight to stop more words from spurting out. He knows I hold a knife to his mother's throat, one wrong move again and she is dead.

"I didn't bring her here to hurt her anyway," I said, smiling, "I actually do like her."

My light mood didn't settle well with him. The exact opposite, it seemed to infuriate him more, "You're sick," He grated out.

"Oh yes, that I am," I placed a hand over my aching chest, feigning gratefulness, "Thank you for your concern."

He chose silence, which is best for him and whirled around, ready to leave, "Don't forget to do what I asked you for," I said before he stormed out, slamming the door shut behind him and being totally dramatic for no apparent reason. Truth be told, I didn't exactly ask him to do it. Threatened would be the more correct word but who cares.

A few minutes in and I heard a low shuffling noise coming from the next room. My face lightened up and I walked there fast enough to catch her waking up. Her eyes flickered around the room, taking into her surroundings before they fell on me.

Her expression remained impassive, neutral as she studied me whole. I took a step closer and tucked my hands into my front pockets, smiling as I said, "Hey."

There wasn't a single twitch on her face, no shock, no anger, no recognition, nothing at all and I gotta give it to her, she is good. She is really good.

The side of Emma's lips tilted up, smiling back, playing my own game with me as she muttered, "Hey you," Her eyebrow raised, "It's been a while."

I nodded, "Yeah, exactly," I said, "Which is why I like to have a reunion with my step-siblings from time to time," My eyebrow raised as I looked around the room, "It's only missing Nikolas, don't you think."

She chuckled, "Oh, he would've killed to be here," She uttered and I definitely didn't miss the underlying meaning woven into her words.

My gaze flickered to her tied-up hands, watching carefully because I know that she can get herself free if she wants. She followed my gaze and her eyes fell down to the rope binding her to the chair's armrest, "I gotta give it you though, the clues you laid out for me, leading me on, the boat, and the whole trap you orchestrated," Her eyes flickered back to me, "It's kind of smart."

I smiled, "Thanks."

Her gaze flickered all over my face and features, almost unable to understand how my face belonged to someone who wants to kill them all, "You know what, you have a cute baby-face," She smiled back, giving me the 'aww' expression, "I would've kept you alive if you weren't such a psycho."

I chuckle lowly, "Yeah, yeah of course, you know, my dad did tell me a lot about you," The dad word didn't settle well with her, it had her expression shift into something resembling anger, "He warned me to be very careful with you. Unlike Nikolas, he saw so much potential in you."

"Oh, daddy dearest, isn't he the best," She fake pouted, "I am getting very sentimental over here," She added in mockery before she looked at the ground, she tapped her feet there a couple of times and raised her voice, "How is hell treating you down there, father?"

"Don't worry, it won't be long till all of you follow him there," I said and she immediately looked up at me, amused by the defiance in my tone. She was getting me angry. I shouldn't let her get me angry.

"Oh, you naive little boy," She chuckled, laughing and shaking her head, "There isn't a scenario here where you come out as the winner," Her smile was slowly dropping and something dangerous enveloped her tone, "There isn't any possibility that you would get what you want. Those people are my responsibility, they're my family and their safety is my duty."

She looked at me from up to down, belittling me, "And you? You sweetheart, you stand no chance against me."

And with that, she pulled one of her hands off the armrest, the rope previously binding them getting ripped apart and that's when I noticed the knife she was holding in her grip, the one she snuck from under her sleeves and used to slit the ropes when I was distracted recalling back my father's death. Told you, she could do it. She is good. I knew all of that before I brought her here.

She slit the other rope, freeing herself before she got up to her feet, kicking the dirt off from over her clothes, "I told you, your strategy was smart but the thing is...Nathan, I am kind of smarter," She fixed her hair, tucking it behind her ear before she inched closer, "I figured your scheme before it was too late."

I stayed in my place and she paused only when she was one millimeter away from me. Her eyes flickered around us, "You should've had a whole army here, not just you, or else how do you plan on containing me?"

I shook my head, "I don't need an army to get what I want."

Her eyebrow raised, "And what is exactly that you want?"

I shrugged, flashing her an innocent look and a smile.

"I could kill you right at this moment," She stated and I knew she could.

I nodded, "But, you won't."

"You sound sure?"

I nodded, "I hurt your family like you had just mentioned, right?" I pointed out, playing with literal fire, "I threatened your kid too. Like Nikolas, you don't want to make it an easy death, you plan to prolong it for as long as you can," I shrugged, "Because you couldn't do that to my father, you intent on doing it to me."

"Excellent observation," She said with a scoff, "You are pretty wise for your age."

I nodded, shrugging lightly, "I did do my homework."

Maybe my words triggered her or maybe the fact that she was finally so close to me that had something in her snap. Her hand curled around my clothes, fingers tightening with an iron grip. In an instant, I felt an intense force propelling me backward, hurtling through the air. My body collided with the unyielding wall, my back pressing firmly against the cold, unrelenting surface, knocking off my balance.

As the haze lifted from over me, I locked eyes with her, a mix of defiance and triumph in her gaze. Her face was a mask of determination as she spoke, "True, that's exactly what we will do. You will pay for it all, I promise," Her jaw clenched, "For hurting Max, for playing with Lilly, for hurting Nathan and for daring to threaten my son, you will pay for all of that with your blood."

The smile curling up my lips was so misplaced, "I really like you," I said and her gaze flickered down to my grin, taken aback by my calmness, "I think you and I would've made a great team," A low chuckle left my throat and I shook my head, adding with an enthusiastic tone, "Forget that, we would've taken over the whole world!"

She tilted her head to the side, taking all of me in, almost like she thought she could read beneath the surface, like she believed she could figure all of me out, but she can't. She is good, just not that good.

"We played chess once, do you remember?" I added, grinning still as the memory swam back to the forefront of my brain, "Nikolas and I played too many times, but I always won, or maybe he was letting me win, you know to let the sad kid be happy and all, but you," My eyebrow raised, "You didn't care for all that and you won."

She nodded, "Yeah, I remember," She said, eyebrow raising in mockery, "You told me that your father taught you how to play, right?"

I nodded and it was her time to smile now, "Well, your father forgot to teach you one thing," She leaned in closer, her face mere inches from mine, her eyes lighting up with an unyielding fire, "In a game of chess, you never aim for the queen first. A smart staritegits knows not to seek her demise in the opening fight."

"Really?" I questioned, "Because I remember this old saying," My eyebrows pulled closer as I pretended to recall it, "In the dance of kings and queens, the path to triumph begins by slaying the regal matriarch," My lips curled up as I thought it through, "It sounds logical to me."

Her jaw ticked, "How about we test that theory, then?" She suggested and right at that moment I felt a sudden, searing pain erupt on the side of my head, a blow that landed with a shocking force and faltered my stability.

The world around me tilted and spun as darkness encroached on the edges of my vision. A wave of dizziness swept through me and my grip on consciousness fell away, slipping through my fingers like sand. The world faded to black as I succumbed to the merciless pull of the blow.

But before I totally passed out, I caught a seeing a sight of her satisfaction at the fact that I didn't even try to fight her back. But maybe...maybe that same fact should concern her more.

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Hello!

It's a shorter chapter than usual but it's better than nothing.

Please do vote and comment and leave your opinions. My motivation to write has been going downhill lately and I am trying to regain it back :)

Hopefully next update will be sooner.
Bye :)