Ethan’s POV
“Put the gun down,” I said, my voice low but shaking.
He smirked, tilting his head like he already knew what I’d say. “You know I can’t do that. You know why I’m here.”
We stood there, staring at each other. It felt like looking into a mirror that showed everything I hated and everything I feared.
“You’re not me,” I said.
“I am you,” he replied. “The real you. The one who was meant to take it all. The heir. The ruler.”
“I chose my path,” I said, breathing hard. “I chose love over power. That’s the difference between us.”
The boy—his hostage—hid behind Delilah’s legs, looking lost and scared. My chest tightened. I wanted to take him in my arms, to tell him everything was going to be fine, but I couldn’t move.
Then I felt tiny hands wrap around my neck. My daughter. She w
