Gunfire shattered the night.
Ife dropped instinctively, hands over her head as glass exploded somewhere down the hallway. The once-quiet house roared with alarms, shouting guards, pounding boots. The walls trembled as if the building itself understood that the lie of safety had ended.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
This was because of her.
She pushed herself up, ignoring the burning fear in her chest, and ran.
The hallway lights flickered wildly. A guard rushed past her, shouting into his radio. Another slammed a door shut behind him. No one was paying attention to the barefoot woman in a loose night dress moving the opposite direction.
Toward danger.
"Ife!"
She froze at the sound of her name.
Julian stood at the far end of the hall, calm as ever despite the chaos, his jacket now gone, sleeves rolled up as if he were preparing for a meeting rather than a war.
"Come back here," he said evenly.
She didn't move.
"You brought this," she said, her voice shaking but loud enough to carry. "You used me like bait."
Julian sighed. "I warned you this would happen."
"No," she snapped. "You caused it."
Before he could reply, the lights cut completely.
Darkness swallowed everything.
A second later—power surged back on.
And Arden was there.
He stepped out of the shadows behind Julian like something summoned by rage alone. Blood streaked his temple, his shirt torn, eyes blazing with a fury Ife had never seen before.
"Step away from her."
Julian smiled slowly. "Nephew."
Ife's breath caught. "Arden…"
His gaze flicked to her instantly, softening despite everything. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, tears threatening. "I'm okay."
Julian watched the exchange with sharp interest. "You see?" he said. "This is what I meant. He walks into fire without thinking."
Arden's jaw tightened. "You dragged her into this."
Julian spread his hands. "I removed her from you."
Arden laughed darkly. "You don't get to decide that."
Gunshots echoed closer now. Victor's voice barked orders somewhere below.
Julian glanced toward the sound. "Your people are impressive."
"They're not mine," Arden replied. "They're the consequences of you crossing a line."
Julian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You think this ends with you walking out holding her hand?"
"Yes," Arden said simply.
Julian chuckled. "Then you really are your father's son."
At that, Arden snapped.
He lunged.
Julian moved fast for a man his age, dodging just in time as Arden slammed him into the wall. A gun skidded across the floor. Julian grunted, recovering quickly, driving his elbow into Arden's ribs.
Ife screamed.
"Stop!"
Neither man listened.
They crashed into furniture, rage colliding with control, blood splattering white walls. Julian fought with precision. Arden fought with desperation.
Love versus legacy.
Victor burst into the hallway with two men just as Arden knocked Julian to the ground.
"Arden!" Victor shouted. "Guards incoming from the east!"
Julian laughed breathlessly from the floor. "You can't kill me," he said. "Not without becoming me."
Arden raised his fist again.
Ife ran forward.
"Arden, don't."
Her voice cut through him sharper than any blade.
He froze.
Julian looked up at her. "Tell him," he urged softly. "Tell him what happens if he finishes this."
She swallowed hard, tears spilling. "You'll lose yourself."
Arden's chest heaved. His hand trembled in the air.
Julian smiled triumphantly. "See?"
And that was when Ife made her choice.
She stepped between them.
"Let him go," she said to Julian. "And I'll stay."
Arden's head snapped up. "No."
Julian's smile vanished. "Stay… how?"
"With you," she said, voice breaking but steady. "I'll be your leverage. Your proof. Just don't make him bleed for me."
Arden grabbed her arm. "Ife, don't do this."
She turned to him, tears streaming freely now. "You came for me. That's enough. If this keeps you alive—"
"I don't want alive without you," he said hoarsely.
Julian stood slowly, studying her with new respect. "You're offering yourself?"
She met his gaze. "I'm choosing him."
Julian exhaled. "Fascinating."
Victor cursed. "This is madness."
Julian raised a hand. "Call off the men."
Victor hesitated, then nodded sharply into his radio.
The gunfire outside faded.
Julian turned back to Arden. "Walk away."
Arden shook his head violently. "I won't."
Julian leaned closer. "You will. Because she asked you to."
Arden looked at Ife, pain ripping through his expression. "I'll come back."
She touched his cheek softly. "I know."
His forehead rested against hers for a brief, stolen second. "I love you."
She smiled through tears. "I love you more than fear."
Victor pulled Arden back reluctantly. "We move. Now."
As Arden was dragged away, his eyes never left Ife.
Julian watched them go, expression unreadable.
Then he turned to her.
"You just saved his life," he said quietly.
She wiped her tears. "Don't mistake that for loyalty."
Julian smiled thinly. "Oh, I won't."
Outside, engines roared to life as Arden was forced to retreat.
Inside, Ife stood alone, heart breaking, knowing one thing with terrifying certainty—
This war was far from over.
And next time, love wouldn't be allowed to stand in the middle.