The Calm Before the Storm

A Morning of Uncertainty

Emma woke to an empty bed.

The space beside her was cold, untouched.

Alexander was already gone.

Her chest tightened.

She knew today was important.

Knew that everything Alexander had been planning would unfold soon.

And yet, he had left without a word.

A part of her understood.

But another part—

The part that feared losing him—

Felt restless.

—

An Unwanted Breakfast

Emma made her way downstairs.

The kitchen smelled like coffee and fresh toast.

But she had no appetite.

Noah sat at the counter, scrolling through his phone.

He looked up when she entered.

"Morning."

Emma nodded.

"Where is he?"

Noah sighed.

"Handling things."

She crossed her arms.

"That's not an answer."

He gave her a knowing look.

"You really think I can stop him from doing anything?"

Emma exhaled sharply.

Of course not.

But that didn't mean she had to like it.

—

A Walk Through Uncertainty

She stepped outside.

The air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of city life.

Her mind wouldn't stop racing.

Every second that passed felt like an eternity.

Would he come back?

Would Moretti retaliate?

Would this nightmare ever end?

—

A Phone Call That Changed Everything

Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She snatched it up.

Alexander.

Relief flooded her.

She answered immediately.

"Where are you?"

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

"Everything's fine."

Emma's heart pounded.

"If everything's fine, why do you sound like that?"

A pause.

Then—

"I need you to listen to me."

—

A Warning She Didn't Want to Hear

Emma froze.

Something wasn't right.

"Alexander—"

"Go back inside. Stay with Noah. Do not leave."

Her stomach dropped.

"You're scaring me."

Silence.

Then—

"You should be scared."

—

A Storm on the Horizon

The call ended.

Emma stood there, breath shaky.

Something was happening.

Something big.

She turned back toward the house.

Noah was already watching her from the doorway.

"You heard, didn't you?"

Emma nodded.

His jaw tightened.

"Then we wait."

—

A Suffocating Silence

Hours passed.

The house felt like a cage.

Noah and the other guards kept watch.

No one spoke.

No one relaxed.

And Emma—

She felt like she was suffocating.

She needed to know what was happening.

Needed to know if Alexander was safe.

—

A Knock at the Door

Then—

A knock.

Sharp.

Demanding.

Noah was up in an instant, gun in hand.

Emma's breath caught.

"Stay here," Noah ordered.

He moved toward the door.

Checked the cameras.

Then—

His expression darkened.

Emma's pulse raced.

"Who is it?"

Noah hesitated.

Then—

"It's Moretti's men."

—

A Tense Standoff

The door swung open.

Three men stood outside.

Dressed in black.

Expressionless.

The tallest stepped forward.

"Ms. Carter."

Emma's blood ran cold.

Noah positioned himself in front of her.

"You have five seconds to turn around."

The man smiled.

"Relax. We're just here to talk."

Emma forced herself to speak.

"What do you want?"

His gaze flickered to her.

"You."

—

A Choice She Never Wanted to Make

Noah stepped closer.

"Not happening."

The man ignored him.

"If you come with us, no one gets hurt."

Emma's stomach twisted.

She knew the truth.

She knew how these things worked.

There were no safe deals.

No easy choices.

Only consequences.

—

A Decision Made in Fear

Emma's voice was shaky.

"You think I'll just walk out of here?"

The man smirked.

"I think you don't want Kingston to die."

Her heart stopped.

Noah tensed.

"Nice try."

But the man's next words—

They shattered her.

"Moretti has him."

—

The World Crumbles

Emma's breath caught.

No.

No, that wasn't possible.

That wasn't—

"You're lying," she whispered.

The man tilted his head.

"Are we?"

Emma turned to Noah, desperate.

"Tell me it's not true."

Noah's expression was unreadable.

But the fact that he didn't deny it—

That said everything.

—

A Desperate Gamble

Emma's hands shook.

"If you hurt him—"

The man sighed.

"Ms. Carter, I don't have all day."

A pause.

Then—

"Come with us, and Kingston lives."

Emma's world was spinning.

Her mind screamed at her to run.

To fight.

But her heart—

Her heart only whispered one thing.

Save him.

—

A Step Into the Unknown

She turned to Noah.

His eyes blazed.

"Don't you dare."

Emma's voice wavered.

"I don't have a choice."

"You always have a choice!"

But she shook her head.

Not this time.

Not when Alexander's life was at stake.

She turned back to the man.

"I'll go."

—

A Final Goodbye

Noah grabbed her wrist.

"Emma, please—"

Tears burned her eyes.

"Keep him safe."

Noah's grip tightened.

Then—

He let go.

Emma exhaled shakily.

Took one last look at the house.

Then—

She stepped forward.

And into the arms of the enemy.