Ella’s heart raced as she navigated the darkened streets, her mind replaying the conversation with Fabian. She had tried to reach out, to show him there was still a chance for redemption, but his words echoed in her ears: “It’s already too late.” The weight of those words pressed down on her, but she knew she couldn’t afford to dwell on them. Her priority was to protect Leo and Liam.
As she arrived at her safe house, a modest apartment on the outskirts of the city, she found Derek waiting by the entrance. His expression was tense, and the moment she stepped out of the car, he approached her.
“We’ve secured the place,” Derek said, his voice low. “Leo and Liam are inside, safe and sound. We’ve also set up surveillance to monitor any unusual activity.”
Ella nodded, grateful for Derek’s eff
