The Final Stand

"Damn it, Adam! Why didn't you call me?" Nick snapped as he jumped into the car, slamming the door shut. His pulse was still hammering from the close call in Paul's apartment.

Adam ran a shaky hand through his hair. "I was waiting in the lobby, and then Paul walked in out of nowhere. I panicked and dropped my phone. By the time I picked it up, he was already in the elevator. Luke stayed behind, but I didn't know what to do, so I signaled him."

Nick exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel. "Forget it. I got the files." He pulled out his phone and dialed Maria. As soon as she picked up, he cut straight to the point. "I have the evidence. Execute the plan."

But as they sped off, something neither of them knew was that Jane was already in danger.

Jane's heart pounded as she sped down the empty road, gripping the wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. She glanced in the rearview mirror—no one was following. Maybe she had actually escaped. Maybe—

Headlights flashed.

Out of nowhere, a black SUV screeched to a stop right in front of her.

She slammed the brakes, the tires shrieking against the pavement. Her entire body jolted forward before snapping back against the seat. Her breath came in ragged gasps.

No. No, no, no.

Paul's guards stepped out of the SUV like shadows emerging from the night.

Jane's hands shook as she locked the doors and slid lower into her seat, desperate to disappear. But one of the guards stepped forward, raised his fist, and—with one devastating punch—shattered the car window.

She screamed, covering her face as glass rained down on her.

The guard didn't move to grab her. Instead, he took a step back, watching her with cold, impassive eyes.

"Ms. Jane, your groom is waiting for you," he said. "You must return now."

Tears welled in her eyes. "Please," she whispered. "Just let me go."

The guard's face remained unreadable, but his next words made her blood run cold.

"Ms. Jane, you know what will happen if you don't come with us." His voice was eerily calm. "Did you forget? You left your friend behind."

Her heart stopped.

Maria.

"If you don't want to see her hurt," the guard continued, "I suggest you come back with us willingly."

Jane's breath hitched.

Her body moved before her mind could catch up.

With trembling fingers, she unlocked the door and stepped out, the cold air biting her skin.

She climbed into the SUV, feeling her fate seal itself around her like a noose.

Back at the wedding chamber, Jane stood in front of a full-length mirror, staring at the reflection of a woman she no longer recognized.

Her hands shook as she adjusted the new wedding gown. It was beautiful. Elegant. A dress for a bride who had chosen this.

But she hadn't.

She had searched Richard's car before they took her, frantic for something—anything—to defend herself. All she found was a bottle of sleeping pills.

Her fingers tightened around the bottle hidden beneath her dress.

There was no way out. Paul knew everything. He knew she had faked her obedience, that she had tried to escape.

He would never trust her again.

And worse—he would hurt the people she loved for it.

Her fingers trembled as she uncapped the bottle.

One by one, she swallowed the pills, washing them down with water.

The taste was bitter, but nothing compared to the bitterness clawing at her soul.

She took a deep breath.

And walked out to meet her fate.

The wedding hall was silent, the weight of the moment pressing down like a suffocating fog.

Paul stood at the altar, his expression unreadable. But as soon as Jane appeared, his lips curled into a soft, almost tender smile.

Like nothing had happened.

Like he hadn't stolen her life.

Jane kept her head bowed as she walked down the aisle, not daring to meet anyone's gaze. But then—

A sound.

A soft whimper.

Her steps faltered.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

Her stomach dropped.

Maria.

She was tied to a chair, her face bruised and bloodied. Next to her sat the girl who had taken Jane's place during the escape. The dupe's face was swollen, her dress stained with red.

Maria thrashed weakly against her restraints, eyes wild with terror.

Jane's heart twisted.

A sob clawed its way up her throat, but she forced it down.

She kept walking.

Paul reached for her hand. His grip was firm, possessive.

"You look beautiful," he murmured.

She wanted to scream.

The priest cleared his throat. "Let us begin."

Jane barely heard the vows. Paul spoke them with practiced ease, each word laced with a twisted affection that made her skin crawl.

Then it was her turn.

"Do you, Jane, take Paul to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Paul's grip tightened, his fingers digging into her skin.

Jane swallowed hard. She forced herself to look at him.

"I thank you," she whispered.

Paul frowned. "Jane."

She took a shaky breath. "I understand your feelings now."

Hope flickered in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

She smiled—soft, sad.

"I understand how you feel, and I thank you for your love." Her voice wavered, but she kept going. "But I cannot marry you."

Paul's expression darkened. "Jane, stop it. Say 'I do.'"

Her free hand lifted, resting lightly against his cheek.

"I really do understand you," she whispered. "But you cannot force me. Nobody can own me."

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

And then—

The world tilted.

Her legs buckled.

A sharp pain shot through her chest, and suddenly, the taste of blood flooded her mouth.

Gasps filled the room.

Paul's eyes widened in horror. "Jane? Jane! What did you do?"

She collapsed, her body crumpling to the floor like a marionette with cut strings.

Through the haze, she saw him fall to his knees beside her, his hands gripping her shoulders.

She smiled weakly, vision blurring.

"There is only one person I love," she choked out, her voice barely above a whisper. "And you ruined my life."

Her chest rose and fell unevenly. Darkness clawed at the edges of her vision.

"I love Nick."

Paul froze.

And then—

The doors burst open.

Shouts. Chaos.

Police officers stormed in, guns raised.

"Step away from her!" someone barked.

Nick.

He sprinted down the aisle, his face pale with fear.

His arms wrapped around her, lifting her into his lap.

"No, no, no," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Jane, why? Why?"

She blinked up at him, her fingers weakly clutching his shirt.

"I love you, Nick," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Tears streaked down his face as he held her tighter. "No. You're going to be okay. You just have to hold on."

But she knew the truth.

As the world around her faded, all she could hear was Nick's voice, begging her to stay.

But it was too late.