Sacrifices

But in truth?

Everything was designed to serve the heroines.

Every mission. Every reward. Every single ounce of effort.

The real beneficiaries were always them.

"He was nothing more than a tool."

The words left her lips with eerie finality.

Max felt sick.

"He… he…" His voice trembled. "He deserves better."

His small fists shook.

"Lucian deserves to be loved too. He deserves to be happy. Why should he be"

"Why should he be a pawn?" she interrupted, smirking.

She leaned forward, her golden eyes gleaming.

"It's for the greater good, Max."

Her voice was calm, unbothered.

"He's not suffering, is he?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"We're giving him the best life possible l power, wealth, women, luxury. Everything."

She leaned back, crossing one leg over the other.

"Sure, it's short-lived. Sure, he dies at the end."

She shrugged.

"But isn't that a fair trade?"