INTO THE LIONS' DEN
The warehouse stood at the edge of the city, abandoned and surrounded by darkness.
Elara stepped out of the car, heart pounding. Lucien held her hand tightly.
Security surrounded them, but Serena had insisted—
"Only you two. Or the boy suffers."
Lucien's jaw clenched.
"She's manipulating us."
"I know," Elara whispered.
"But we can't ignore her."
They walked inside.
---
Face to Face
Serena sat on a crate, legs crossed, smiling like she owned the world.
Behind her, the kidnapped boy sobbed quietly, wrists tied.
Elara rushed forward.
"Let him go, Serena! This has nothing to do with him!"
Serena laughed.
"Everything is about power, Elara. You stole mine."
Lucien stepped in front of Elara.
"This ends tonight," he growled.
"You want revenge? Take it on me."
Serena's eyes gleamed.
"Gladly."
---
The Sacrifice
Lucien dropped to his knees.
"I'll give you everything," he said.
"My shares. My name. My reputation."
Elara gasped.
"Lucien, no!"
Serena froze.
"You'd ruin yourself… for her?"
He didn't hesitate.
"For my family," he said firmly.
"And for that child."
Serena's expression wavered—just for a second.
---
The Truth
"You know why I hate you?" Serena snapped.
"Because you were everything I wasn't. Loved. Respected."
Her voice cracked.
"I begged you to stay. You chose her."
Lucien stood slowly.
"I chose honesty. Something you never had."
Serena screamed.
---
The Rescue
Suddenly—
Police sirens echoed outside.
Serena spun.
"What?!"
Elara smiled through tears.
"You forgot one thing. We're not alone."
Security had secretly alerted the police.
Serena tried to run, but officers rushed in.
"Serena Blackwood, you're under arrest."
She thrashed, screaming.
"You can't win! I'll destroy you both!"
The boy was freed and rushed into Elara's arms.
---
Aftermath
Outside, the night felt lighter.
Elara hugged Lucien tightly.
"You were ready to lose everything."
He kissed her forehead.
"You and our baby are my everything."
The boy was reunited with his family, crying with relief.
---
Serena's Defeat
As Serena was dragged away, she glared at Elara.
"This isn't over."
Elara met her gaze calmly.
"Yes," she said.
"It is."