Chapter 212: A Dangerous Meeting

The small café in downtown D.C. was worlds apart from the war rooms of the White House. Skylar pulled her coat tighter around her, glancing around before stepping inside. The moment she did, a familiar figure stood from a corner booth.

Ava.

She hadn't changed much. Still the same sharp eyes, the same confidence, but now there was something else—determination.

"Sky," Ava said, voice tight.

"Ava."

They sat in silence for a moment. The world outside continued as normal, but inside this café, it felt like time had folded back to their university days—before power, before war, before Chris Blackwood ruled the world.

Ava was the first to speak. "Do you even recognize yourself anymore?"

Skylar tensed. "I didn't come here to be lectured."

"Then why did you come?" Ava pressed. "You could've ignored my message. But you didn't. That means part of you still knows this is wrong."

Skylar exhaled slowly. "It's not that simple."

"It is. Chris has gone too far. And you're standing right beside him while he burns the world down."

Skylar clenched her fists. "You don't understand—"

"Then help me understand." Ava leaned forward. "Because the Skylar I knew would never let this happen. And if you won't stop him… then I will."

Skylar's heart pounded. "What do you mean?"

Ava met her gaze. "I have proof. Proof that Chris Blackwood is orchestrating something bigger than just war. And when I expose it, the world won't just turn against him… they'll turn against you, too."

The blood drained from Skylar's face.

Ava sighed. "I don't want to fight you, Sky. But if you don't leave his side, you'll go down with him."

Skylar felt her phone vibrate. She glanced at the screen. Chris.

He was waiting.

And in front of her sat a woman who threatened everything.

—