Chapter 10: The Trap is Set
The following morning was unnervingly quiet. Rose stood by the window, gazing out at the sprawling estate grounds as the morning sun spilled golden light across the garden. For a moment, it felt as though the storm brewing in their lives had paused—but Rose knew better.
The trap was already in motion, and now they could only wait for Victor to take the bait.
Theresa had left just before dawn, her parting words lingering in Rose's mind: "Don't let your guard down. Victor is smarter than you think, and if he suspects anything, he won't hesitate to strike first."
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A Morning of Tension
Breakfast was subdued. Jasper, sensing the tension in the air, remained unusually quiet, picking at his toast while Rose tried to make small talk. Zeke sat across from her, his gaze distant as he mentally reviewed the plan for the hundredth time.
"Are we doing the right thing?" Rose asked quietly when Jasper left the table to play in the living room.
Zeke looked up, his expression conflicted. "What choice do we have? If we don't take Victor down now, he'll come for us. For Jasper."
The mention of Jasper sent a shiver down Rose's spine. She nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then we'll see this through."
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The First Sign
By midday, the first response to their bait arrived. Zeke's phone buzzed, the encrypted line lighting up with a notification. He swiped the screen and read the message, his jaw tightening.
"What is it?" Rose asked, stepping closer.
Zeke handed her the phone. The message was short but ominous:
"You think you can outsmart me? Watch your back."
"It's from Victor," Zeke said. "He knows we're onto him."
Rose felt a chill run down her spine. "Do you think he's bluffing?"
Zeke shook his head. "Victor doesn't bluff. If he sent this, it means he's already planning his next move."
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A Glimpse of Danger
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the estate, Rose noticed something unusual. A black car was parked on the far side of the road, its tinted windows making it impossible to see inside.
"Zeke," she called, her voice steady despite the unease creeping into her chest.
He joined her by the window, his expression darkening when he saw the car.
"They're watching us," Zeke said grimly.
"What do we do?" Rose asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zeke turned away from the window. "We stick to the plan. If Victor wants to play games, we'll make sure he loses."
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A Dangerous Encounter
Later that night, as the household settled into an uneasy calm, there was a sudden commotion at the front door. The sound of muffled voices and heavy footsteps sent Rose's heart racing.
Zeke moved quickly, signaling for her to stay back as he approached the door. He opened it cautiously to reveal a man dressed in dark clothing, his face partially obscured by a hood.
"What do you want?" Zeke demanded, his voice sharp.
The man smirked, his eyes gleaming with menace. "A little message from Victor. He says you're in over your head."
Before Zeke could respond, the man tossed a small object onto the ground—a shattered phone with a bloodstain smeared across its screen.
Zeke clenched his fists, his anger barely contained. "Get out of here."
The man chuckled and disappeared into the night, leaving Zeke and Rose shaken.
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A Turning Point
"This is getting out of hand," Rose said as Zeke secured the door. "We're not just playing a game anymore—this is war."
Zeke nodded, his jaw set. "Then we'll fight. For Jasper, for us. We'll take Victor down no matter what it takes."
Rose placed a hand on his arm, her voice soft but firm. "Just promise me one thing, Zeke. No matter how dangerous it gets, don't lose yourself in this. We need you."
Zeke looked at her, his expression softening. "I promise, Rose. I'll protect you and Jasper with everything I have."
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A Ray of Hope
Despite the tension, there was a glimmer of hope. Theresa contacted them later that night, her voice steady as she relayed new information.
"Victor's getting desperate," she said. "He's pulling resources from his secondary operations to focus on you. That's a good sign—it means he's vulnerable."
"What do we do now?" Zeke asked.
"Stick to the plan," Theresa replied. "The trap is working. But be careful—Victor's desperation makes him dangerous."
Rose exchanged a glance with Zeke. They were walking a razor's edge, but for the first time, it felt like they had a real chance at victory.
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The Calm Before the Storm
As the house grew quiet once more, Rose found herself sitting by Jasper's bedside, watching him sleep. She brushed a strand of hair from his face, her heart aching with a mix of love and fear.
"We'll keep you safe," she whispered. "No matter what."
Zeke appeared in the doorway, his expression softening as he watched her. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Rose looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. "I think you've told me that once or twice."
He stepped inside, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get
through this, Rose. Together."
She nodded, leaning into his touch. For now, they had each other—and that was enough.