Love beyond the contract

oldest morning of her life. The events of the past hours weighed heavily on her-Grace's

sparsely furnished, with a rickety table, mismatched chairs, and a single flickering lamp. Ethan stood by the window, his eyes

silence. "If my father was trying to take Charles down, why

rotecting you. The less you knew, the safer you were. But he

sts. "So, my whole lif

her loved you more than anything. Ev

-

e for reflection right now. Charles will be looking for us, and

. "I need answers, Ethan. I

hand on her shoulder. "I understand, Sophia. But answers w

right, but the thought of leaving

-

ave something that might help us gain the upper hand," he

n it?" Et

nications, and even video footage tying him to several murders. It

y didn't you use it before? Why

dn't have the right timing-or the right leverage. But with you,

ou mean?"

ames your father for ruining his rise to power. Taking you down is his way of reclaiming control. But

the symbol of Charles's defeat was daunting, bu

-

ough the safehouse. Ethan and Richard immediately reach

t?" Richa

e muffled reply. "I n

g in her voice sounded desperate. Before Ethan or Richard

eveled and unarmed, her

want?" Sophia

ng. "Charles threatened my family. But I can hel

trained on Grace. "How do we

hia as a scapegoat. He's already planted evidence framing her for embezzlement and frau

dropped. "Why w

your father's crimes," Grace said. "If he discredit

-

ilent as Grace'

st her," Etha

ching for any sign of deceit

cause I owe your parents. They saved my life once,

udgment, she said, "We'll hear you out. But if

-

chard's phone buzzed with an incoming messag

it?" Et

ur location's been compromised.

I didn't tell

her. "How did th

g thought crossed her mind. "What

turned to

ing?" Richard asked

ing. "Charles said he always has some

at's absurd. I've been worki

s voice cold. "Or have you

-

Show

en, and Charles's men flooded the room. Chaos e

o Sophia, his face unreadable. "I'm sorry,"

red. "You were workin

chard said, his voice breaking. "But Charl

d. The two men grappled, their movements a blur. Sophi

e," Grace said. "The eviden

d, then nodded.

through a side exit, le

-

trayal. The man she'd thought was her ally had been her

ht wasn

ntil Charles and everyone working

-