Chapter 85: A New Path

The weight of Damian's offer lingered in the air.

Isabella had spent years chasing vengeance, drowning in a war that had consumed every part of her. And now, with Langston dead, the war should have been over. But Damian was right power vacuums didn't stay empty for long.

Walking away sounded simple. But could she?

She turned to Alexander, searching his expression. He had been on the other side of this war for so long, yet he stood here now, waiting for her to decide. No pressure. No persuasion. Just quiet understanding.

She took a slow breath before looking at Damian.

"I'm not ready to disappear," she said. "Not yet."

The Next Move

Damian smirked, though there was relief in his eyes. "Didn't think you would."

Ethan, who had been waiting near the car, let out a low whistle. "So we're doing this, then?"

"We?" Isabella raised an eyebrow.

Ethan grinned. "You didn't think I was going to let you have all the fun, did you?"

Claire rolled her eyes as she joined them. "It's not fun, Ethan. It's a power struggle that could turn into another war if we're not careful."

Alexander folded his arms. "Which is exactly why we need to be smart about this."

Damian nodded. "That's the plan. We don't need to take over we need to make sure the right people do."

Isabella studied them all for a long moment. This wasn't a mission of revenge. It wasn't about the past. It was about shaping what came next.

And maybe, just maybe, it was something worth fighting for.

A Silent Promise

As the sun began to rise higher, Alexander turned to Isabella. "You sure about this?"

She met his gaze, the intensity in his blue eyes anchoring her.

"I'm sure," she said.

She didn't know where this path would lead. But for the first time, she wasn't walking it alone.

And that made all the difference.