Chapter 16: VICTOR’S NEXT MOVE 

Victor's POV

The city lights extend eternally below me from the balcony, shimmering like stars in the darkness. The chilly air stings at my skin, but it's nothing compared to the shiver going down my spine. Victor's voice still lingers in my thoughts, suave and calculated, every syllable a trap skillfully laid. 

"I can help you, Ivy," he continued, his black eyes locking upon me. "All you have to do is give me the information I need to take Griffin down." 

I stood transfixed, my heart thundering in my ears. His offer hovered between us, oozing with implicit menace. I knew what Victor was capable of—he didn't make promises without wanting something in return. 

"What makes you think I'd betray my husband?" I had asked, my voice steadier than I felt. 

Victor chuckled, leaning in slightly, his breath warm on my ear. "Because, darling, you're already keeping secrets from him. How much terrible might one more be?" 

He left me with that poisoned notion and a smug look that made my blood boil. Now, standing on the balcony, I hold the bar so tightly my fingers turn white. 

I hear the door open behind me, quiet footsteps approaching. I don't have to turn around to know it's Griffin. 

"Ivy," his voice is low, delicate. "What are you doing out here?" 

I take a long breath, pushing the stiffness from my shoulders before addressing him. His eyes search mine, and for a brief second, I see the guy I fell in love with—concerned, protective, and still very much a part of me. 

"I just needed some air," I add, my voice barely audible. 

Griffin traverses the gap between us, his eyes never leaving mine. "Is that all?" 

I can feel the weight of his question—loaded, layered, and seeking more than I'm ready to offer. He senses something's awry. He's always known. 

"Griffin, please…" My voice breaks, and before I can stop myself, the tears I've been holding back rush over. 

His expression softens, and without hesitation, he draws me into his arms. The familiar fragrance of him, the power in his grip, nearly destroys me utterly. 

"Talk to me," he says, his lips brushing against my temple. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on." 

I clutch to him, caught between the truth and the falsehoods that have weaved themselves into my existence. I want to tell him everything—about Victor's threats, Marissa's blackmail, the falsehoods I've maintained to protect him. But terror keeps me mute. 

Instead, I draw back, peering up at him through tear-blurred eyes. "It's nothing. Just…everything seems so overwhelming lately." 

His brows knit together, and I can see the battle in his gaze. He doesn't believe me, but he wants to. He wants to hang onto the belief that we can still repair this. 

"Ivy," he continues softly, his voice laced with caution, "don't shut me out again." 

"I'm not," I lie, my heart hurting a bit more with each syllable. "I just need some time to figure things out." 

He exhales, moving back, his hands gliding down my arms before dropping away altogether. The abrupt loss of his touch feels like a blow to the chest. 

"I've given you time," he adds, his tone calmer now. "But time isn't going to solve this, Ivy. Whatever you're concealing from me—it's going to come out sometime. And when it does…" He drifts off, shaking his head. "I just hope it's not too late." 

I watch him go back inside, the door shutting quietly behind him. My heart feels like it's been torn in two, and I can hardly breathe past the anguish in my chest. 

I look back toward the city, tears flowing down my cheeks. My phone buzzes in my pocket, drawing me from the depths of my anguish. I stop before taking it out. 

A new word from Victor. 

Clock's ticking, Ivy. Don't make me act before you're ready. 

My breath catches, and my fingers clench around the phone. Damn him. 

The following morning, I attempt to shove the encounter with Victor to the back of my mind. I tell myself that I'll find a way out of this mess, that I'll safeguard Griffin without giving in to Victor's desires. But my resolve is challenged the minute I enter into the kitchen and discover Griffin seated at the counter, his eyes dark and furious. 

"We need to talk," he says, his voice calm but menacing. 

"About what?" I simulate innocence, while my heart is already throbbing. 

He takes out a piece of paper and slips it over the counter toward me. My stomach sinks when I read it…it's an email from Victor, addressed to Griffin. 

In it, Victor reveals his aims clearly: to ruin Griffin's firm piece by piece. He even mentions me, hinting that I'm the key to his scheme. 

Griffin's eyes flame with wrath. "Care to explain this?" 

I open my lips, but no words come out. The walls are coming in rapidly, and I can't find a way to stop them. 

"Ivy, I need to know," Griffin urges, his voice quiet but forceful. "Are you working with him?" 

"No!" I reply hastily, dread infusing my tone. "I would never work with him. You have to trust me." 

"Then why does he think you're the key to taking me down?" Griffin's voice increases, his wrath clear. "What aren't you telling me?" 

Tears spring up in my eyes. "He's trying to manipulate me. He's been blackmailing me, attempting to use me against you." 

Griffin's face darkens, his jaw straining. "Blackmail? With what?" 

I stop, the truth resting heavily on my lips. "A mistake I made a long time ago. Something that might injure you if it gets out." 

He smacks his fist on the counter, the sound reverberating through the room. "Why didn't you tell me this from the beginning?" 

"I was trying to protect you!" I weep, my voice cracking. "I didn't want you to get dragged into this mess." 

"Well, congratulations," he snaps. "We're both neck-deep in it now." 

The pressure between us is tremendous. Neither of us speaks for a long while, the weight of everything hanging in the air. Finally, Griffin exhales, his shoulders falling. 

"We're going to fix this," he adds, his voice calmer now. "But you have to trust me, Ivy. No more secrets. No more lies." 

"I promise," I respond, my heart bleeding with the reality of it. 

But just as relief begins to flow over me, my phone buzzes again. Another communication from Victor. 

Time's up. You made your decision. Now it's my time. 

A chilly horror settles in my belly as I read the sentences. 

Griffin notices the difference in my face. "What is it?" he says, his gaze narrowing. 

I gaze up at him, my throat dry and my pulse pounding. "It's Victor," I say. "He's making his move." 

Griffin's eyes spark with intent, his jaw hardening. "Then we're going to stop him. Together." 

But deep inside, I know it won't be that simple. Victor always plays to win. And this time, the hazards are larger than ever. 

And someone is going to lose.