You're Beautiful

The following days brought a deceptive calm to the Whitmore estate. Security was tighter than ever, with guards stationed at every corner and surveillance drones patrolling the perimeter. Alexander didn't take any chances, especially after Nikolai's confession. Mia, though safe, couldn't shake the growing anxiety that Valeria's name now carried.

Despite the chaos in their lives, Mia focused on her pregnancy. Her growing belly was now a symbol of hope, a bright future amidst the looming storm. She spent hours in the nursery, folding tiny clothes and arranging the baby's toys. It was her sanctuary, a place where the outside world and its dangers couldn't touch her.

One evening, while Mia sat in the nursery, Alexander walked in, his expression softening as he saw her humming a lullaby and stroking her belly. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her for a moment before speaking.

"You're beautiful," he said, his voice filled with admiration.

Mia turned, smiling at him. "And you're sneaky. How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to know our baby is lucky to have you as a mother."

Alexander crossed the room and knelt beside her, placing his hand on her belly. "How's our little fighter doing?"

Mia chuckled. "Very active. I think they're practicing kickboxing in there."

Alexander laughed softly, his hand lingering on her belly as he felt a tiny kick. "Strong like their mother."

Mia's smile faltered slightly as her thoughts drifted to the Syndicate. "Do you think we'll ever have peace, Alex? A life where we don't have to look over our shoulders?"

Alexander's jaw tightened. "We will. I promise you. But first, I need to deal with Valeria. I won't let her or anyone else threaten what we've built."

The next morning, Alexander gathered his team in the estate's underground command center. A large digital map displayed Eastern Europe, with red markers indicating potential Syndicate hideouts.

"We've narrowed down Valeria's location to three possible sites," Elena said, pointing to the map. "All of them are heavily guarded and strategically positioned. If we're going after her, we need to be prepared for anything."

Alexander nodded. "We'll divide into teams and hit all three locations simultaneously. I want Valeria found and captured. No more games."

Elena hesitated. "And what about Mia? She's going to notice you're gone."

Alexander paused, his gaze hardening. "I'll tell her the truth. She deserves that much. But she stays here, where it's safe."

Later that evening, Alexander found Mia in the living room, curled up on the couch with a book. He sat beside her, taking her hand in his.

"I need to leave for a few days," he began, his voice gentle.

Mia looked up, her brows furrowing. "Why? What's going on?"

"We've found leads on Valeria," he explained. "I'm going to deal with her once and for all."

Mia's grip on his hand tightened. "Alex, it's dangerous. What if something happens to you?"

He cupped her face, his gaze steady. "Nothing will happen. I'll come back to you, Mia. To you and our baby. But I can't sit here and wait for her to strike again. I have to end this."

Tears welled in Mia's eyes, but she nodded. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," he said, kissing her forehead.

As they embraced, Mia whispered, "We'll be waiting for you."

Alexander and his team departed under the cover of night, their convoy heading toward a private airstrip. The mission was clear: locate Valeria and dismantle her operation.

At the first location, a warehouse in Prague, Alexander's team moved swiftly, neutralizing guards and searching for evidence. But the building was empty, save for a few scattered documents hinting at the Syndicate's operations.

The second site, a secluded villa in Montenegro, proved more promising. Elena's team discovered weapons caches and encrypted files, but Valeria herself was nowhere to be found.

Finally, they approached the third location: an abandoned fortress on the outskirts of Bucharest. This time, the Syndicate was ready for them.

Gunfire erupted as Alexander's team breached the fortress. The Syndicate's operatives fought fiercely, but Alexander's men were better trained and equipped. Room by room, they cleared the building, searching for Valeria.

In the midst of the chaos, Alexander found himself face-to-face with one of Valeria's top lieutenants, a towering man with a scar running down his face. The two engaged in a brutal hand-to-hand fight, the sound of fists and grunts echoing through the corridor.

Finally, Alexander gained the upper hand, disarming the man and pinning him against the wall. "Where is she?" he demanded.

The lieutenant smirked through bloodied lips. "You think you've won? Valeria is always ten steps ahead. You'll never catch her."

Before Alexander could press further, the man bit down on something in his mouth—a cyanide capsule. He collapsed, lifeless.

Though Valeria herself eluded capture, the raid wasn't a complete failure. Alexander's team recovered vital intelligence, including plans for future Syndicate operations and encrypted messages that could lead to Valeria's location.

As Alexander boarded the jet back home, he clenched his fists, his resolve stronger than ever. Valeria might have slipped through his fingers this time, but the war wasn't over.

And he wouldn't rest until his family was safe.

Back at the mansion, Mia waited anxiously, her hand resting on her belly. She prayed for Alexander's safe return, unaware of the battles he had faced to protect their future.