Trap

The next morning broke with an uneasy calm over the estate. While the world outside seemed peaceful, within the mansion, tension brewed. Alexander barely slept, spending the night poring over Marco's files with Victor and his team. Mia stayed in their bedroom, feeling the weight of Marco's revelations, her hand protectively on her belly.

By dawn, Victor's breakthroughs began to uncover the horrifying extent of Marco's plans. The files on Project Paragon painted a chilling picture of a global operation that aimed to create genetically modified humans—stronger, faster, and more intelligent than any ordinary person. What unnerved Victor the most were Marco's references to "Mia's key genetic code" and repeated mentions of her pregnancy.

Alexander stormed into the surveillance room, his face a mixture of exhaustion and rage. "Tell me you have something useful," he demanded.

Victor nodded, gesturing toward the screen. "We found references to a primary lab located in the outskirts of the city. Marco appears to be running experiments there, and based on these files, it's likely where he's been monitoring Mia. If we strike there, we might find answers—and stop him from advancing Paragon."

Alexander's eyes burned with determination. "Then we're going. Prepare the team."

Victor hesitated. "Alexander… it won't be easy. Marco has prepared for this. It's a trap, I'm sure of it."

"I don't care," Alexander snapped. "If we wait, he'll gain the upper hand. We move now."

Meanwhile, in the shadows

Unbeknownst to them, Marco had anticipated their every move. Watching from his hidden headquarters through the surveillance systems he'd planted years ago, he smirked as he saw Alexander's team gearing up for their raid.

"Ah, Alexander," Marco mused, swirling a glass of wine in his hand. "So predictable. Charging into the flames to protect your little family. But this time, you won't emerge unscathed."

Turning to his lead scientist, a wiry man with sharp features named Dr. Callahan, Marco issued his orders. "Ensure the decoy lab is ready. Let them believe they've found something valuable. But I want the real lab moved immediately. We're accelerating Phase Two."

Dr. Callahan adjusted his glasses nervously. "And what about Mia? If she's critical to the project—"

Marco interrupted, his tone icy. "Mia will play her part in due time. For now, let Alexander feel like he's winning. A man is most vulnerable when he believes he's victorious.

Back at the mansion

Mia, unaware of Alexander's imminent departure, descended the stairs to find him strapping on his gear. She froze, her heart sinking. "You're leaving?"

Alexander turned, his expression softening when he saw her. He stepped closer, cupping her face gently. "I have to, Mia. We've found one of Marco's labs. If we don't act now, we could lose the chance to stop him."

"But what about me? About the baby?" Her voice trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. "Alexander, I can't lose you. Not now."

He pulled her into a tight embrace. "You won't lose me. I promise, Mia. I'll come back to you—both of you."

Mia clung to him, her fear battling with her trust in his strength. Finally, she nodded, though her heart felt heavy. "Just… be careful."

"I will," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

The Raid

Alexander's team moved swiftly under the cover of darkness, infiltrating the warehouse on the city's outskirts. The building was eerily quiet, its exterior giving no hint of the horrors that might lie within.

Inside, they found rows of abandoned lab equipment and shattered glass, as if the facility had been hastily evacuated. Victor scanned the area, his face growing grim. "This doesn't feel right," he muttered.

Alexander's instincts screamed at him. Something was off. "Stay sharp. This could be a setup."

As they moved deeper into the facility, a loud alarm suddenly blared. The room flooded with red light, and steel doors slammed shut behind them.

"Trap!" Victor shouted, drawing his weapon.

From the shadows emerged armed guards, their weapons trained on the team. But it wasn't just the guards that made Alexander's blood run cold—it was the figure standing behind them.

Marco.

He stepped forward, his smirk as confident as ever. "Ah, Alexander. Welcome. I was wondering when you'd join the party."

Alexander leveled his gun at Marco, his voice a low growl. "It's over, Marco."

Marco chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, Alexander. It's never over. Not while Paragon lives."

With a flick of his wrist, Marco signaled his guards to attack. Chaos erupted as gunfire filled the air. Alexander fought fiercely, his thoughts only on Mia and the child he had promised to protect.

Back at the mansion

Mia paced the living room, her anxiety growing with each passing minute. She couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was happening. Suddenly, the power flickered, and the estate's security alarms began to wail.

Before she could react, the doors burst open, and masked intruders stormed in.

Mia's scream echoed through the halls as the intruders surrounded her.

"Grab her," one of them barked. "Marco wants her alive."

Mia fought with every ounce of strength she had, but it was no use. They overpowered her, dragging her toward a waiting van.