Outside the Lab

The ground beneath them rumbled as the lab's self-destruct sequence initiated, red emergency lights flashing ominously. Sirens blared, and the sterile walls of the compound transformed into a chaotic maze of collapsing structures. Alexander's grip on Mia's hand was unyielding as they sprinted through the corridors.

"Mia, stay close!" Alexander shouted, his voice barely audible over the deafening alarms.

Behind them, Marco's sinister laughter echoed, growing fainter as he disappeared deeper into the compound. He had escaped once again, leaving chaos in his wake.

Victor's voice crackled through Alexander's earpiece. "You need to get out now! The whole structure is wired to blow in less than five minutes."

"We're on our way!" Alexander responded, his breath ragged as he navigated the labyrinth of hallways. His mind raced with conflicting emotions—rage at Marco's escape, fear for Mia, and determination to make it out alive.

Mia struggled to keep up, her pregnant belly making it harder to move at full speed. She stumbled, her knees buckling as she leaned against the wall for support.

"I can't… I need a second," she gasped, her chest heaving.

Alexander immediately crouched beside her, his eyes searching hers. "Mia, we don't have time. I know you're tired, but you have to push through. For the baby. For us."

She nodded, summoning strength she didn't know she had. "Okay… okay, let's go."

Alexander helped her to her feet, his arm securely around her waist as they resumed their escape.

Outside the Lab

The remaining members of the task force held their positions at the perimeter, anxiously scanning the compound's entrance. Flames and smoke poured from the structure, illuminating the dark forest.

Victor paced near one of the SUVs, his expression tense. "Come on, Alexander. Where are you?"

A moment later, the massive steel doors burst open, and Alexander emerged, carrying Mia in his arms. She clung to him, her face pale but determined.

"They're out!" one of the operatives shouted, signaling for the medics to move in.

Victor ran toward them, his relief palpable. "Are you both okay?"

Alexander nodded, carefully placing Mia on her feet. "We're fine. Just get her checked out."

Mia shook her head, her voice firm despite her exhaustion. "I'm okay. Focus on Marco. He's still out there."

Victor sighed, glancing back at the burning compound. "We'll deal with him, Mia. Right now, you need to rest."

Back at the Estate

Hours later, the team regrouped in the estate's strategy room. Mia rested on a couch nearby, a blanket draped over her as she sipped a glass of water. Alexander stood by the window, his arms crossed as he stared into the night.

"We lost him," Alexander said, his tone laced with frustration. "Again."

Victor leaned against the table, reviewing the salvaged data from the compound. "Not entirely. We managed to recover some files before the lab went up. It's not much, but it's a start."

Alexander turned to face him, his expression hard. "What did you find?"

Victor hesitated, his eyes flickering toward Mia. "More details about 'Project Paragon.' It seems Marco wasn't just experimenting with genetics—he was creating something. Or someone."

Mia sat up straighter, her heart racing. "What do you mean?"

Victor sighed, pulling up a grainy image on his tablet. It showed a tank filled with a strange, glowing liquid, wires and tubes snaking around it. Inside, the silhouette of a human figure was barely visible.

"Marco was trying to engineer the perfect being," Victor explained. "Stronger, smarter, immune to disease. And for some reason, he believed your DNA was the missing piece."

Mia's hand instinctively went to her belly, her mind reeling. "But why me? What makes me so special?"

Victor shook his head. "We don't know yet. But whatever Marco was planning, it's far from over. He's still out there, and now he knows we're closing in."

A Private Moment

Later that night, Alexander and Mia sat together in their bedroom. The weight of the day hung heavily in the air, but for a moment, they found solace in each other's presence.

Alexander knelt in front of Mia, his hands gently resting on her growing belly. "I'm sorry, Mia," he said softly. "For everything you've been through. For putting you in danger again."

She placed her hands over his, her gaze tender. "You don't have to apologize, Alexander. We're in this together. And no matter what happens, I know we'll get through it."

He rested his forehead against her belly, his voice breaking. "I just want to keep you safe. You and our child. I can't lose you."

Mia stroked his hair, her heart swelling with love. "You won't. We're stronger than Marco, stronger than his plans. And as long as we're together, nothing can break us."

Alexander looked up at her, his resolve renewed. "Then we fight. We end this, once and for all."

Mia nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "Together."