Mia’s Resolve

Night fell over the Steele estate, casting an eerie stillness over the grounds. The heightened security measures, armed guards, and advanced surveillance systems all seemed impenetrable, but beneath the estate, Lang's men were advancing through the forgotten tunnel system, their every step calculated and silent.

Mia sat in the living room, flipping through a parenting book, but her mind wasn't focused. The unease she'd felt earlier hadn't subsided. Alexander sat beside her, going over security plans on his laptop.

"You're distracted," Alexander noted, glancing at her.

"I can't help it," Mia admitted. "It's too quiet. I just have this... feeling."

Alexander reached over, taking her hand in his. "Trust me, Mia. No one is getting near this house."

But even as he spoke, Lang's men were making their way closer, the tunnel's exit leading directly beneath the estate's east wing.

In the estate's security room, a guard stared at the monitors, his eyes scanning the live feeds for any unusual activity. Suddenly, one of the cameras flickered. He leaned forward, tapping the screen, but before he could alert anyone, the power cut out across the east wing.

Selena's voice came over the estate's intercom. "We've lost power in sector three. Backup generators are kicking in. All units, stay alert."

Alexander immediately stood, his expression hardening. "Stay here," he instructed Mia. "I'll check it out."

Mia grabbed his arm. "Alexander, please be careful."

He kissed her forehead. "I will. Lock the doors and don't open them for anyone but me."

As Alexander left to investigate, Mia paced the room, her anxiety growing. She tried to follow his instructions, but her instincts told her to do more.

She grabbed her phone and called Selena. "What's happening?"

"We're not sure yet," Selena admitted. "But the breach is isolated to the east wing. We're sending guards to check it out."

Mia's mind raced. "What if it's a distraction?"

Selena paused. "What do you mean?"

"What if they're trying to draw everyone's attention to the east wing while they attack somewhere else?"

Selena's tone shifted, sharper now. "You might be right. I'll have the guards spread out. Stay where you are, Mia."

But Mia couldn't just sit and wait. She moved to the hidden panic room control panel, activating additional security feeds. Her fingers flew over the controls as she scanned the property.

Lang's men emerged from the tunnel, armed and ready. They moved with precision, disabling security systems as they advanced through the estate. The guards in the east wing were quickly overwhelmed, leaving the path to the main house unprotected.

Selena's voice crackled through the intercom. "We've got hostiles on the ground floor! All units, converge on the main house!"

Mia's heart pounded as she watched the intruders on the security feed. They were heading straight for her.

Alexander met Selena in the main hallway, his gun drawn. "How many?"

"At least a dozen," Selena replied. "They've already breached the east wing."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "We hold them here. No one gets past this point."

The sound of gunfire echoed through the estate as Alexander and his team engaged the intruders. The fight was brutal, the once-quiet halls now a battleground.

In the panic room, Mia watched the chaos unfold on the monitors. Her heart raced as she spotted an intruder heading toward the nursery.

"No," she whispered, her protective instincts kicking in. She grabbed the estate's emergency alarm and activated it, alerting the guards to the intruder's location.

She then called Alexander. "One of them is heading for the nursery!"

"I'll handle it," Alexander replied, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.

Alexander sprinted toward the nursery, his pulse pounding. He arrived just as the intruder reached the door. Without hesitation, Alexander fired, taking the man down before he could enter.

Breathing heavily, he checked the room to ensure it was clear. The sight of the crib and baby items reminded him of what was at stake.

He called Mia. "The nursery is secure. Stay in the panic room. I'm coming to you."

As the remaining intruders were subdued, Alexander and Selena regrouped.

"This wasn't just an attack," Selena said, her eyes narrowing. "Lang's men were trying to install something—probably a tracking device or a way to disable our systems remotely."

Alexander's expression darkened. "He's escalating. This ends tonight. Prepare the team. We're going after him."

Back in the panic room, Alexander found Mia. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

"It's over," he said softly. "For now."

Mia clung to him, tears in her eyes. "How much longer do we have to live like this?"

"Not much longer," Alexander promised. "Lang will pay for this."