CHAPTER 22: NO WAY BACK
888 Words
The cold night air greeted Leo as the gates of Lawson Manor closed behind him.
He clutched the card Kelvin had given him.
Lawson Children's Hospital.
His sister finally had a chance.
For the first time in months, hope replaced the fear in his heart.
He whispered to himself,
"Thank you..."
Then he started walking toward the main road.
He never noticed the black SUV parked beneath the trees.
---
Inside the vehicle...
Two men watched him silently.
One of them picked up his phone.
"He let the boy go."
Ricardo's voice came through.
"I expected as much."
"What are your orders?"
Ricardo didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he spoke.
"Bring him to me."
---
Meanwhile...
Back inside Lawson Manor, Mackenzie prepared to leave.
Elena handed her the empty thermal container.
"I washed it for you."
"Thank you."
Elena smiled warmly.
"I hope you'll visit us again."
Mackenzie glanced at Kelvin.
"I'll think about it."
Kelvin walked her to the front entrance.
The cool breeze stirred the trees lining the driveway.
"I'm sorry your evening was interrupted," he said.
She shook her head.
"It wasn't."
"If anything..."
She smiled.
"I learned something."
"Oh?"
"I learned that rumors don't always tell the truth."
Kelvin looked at her quietly.
"And what truth did you discover?"
She met his eyes.
"That you're kinder than you let people believe."
For a brief moment, Kelvin had no reply.
No one had ever described him that way.
Especially not someone outside his inner circle.
"You should get home," he said gently.
"It's late."
She nodded.
"Good night, Kelvin."
The way she spoke his first name caught him by surprise.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"Good night, Mackenzie."
Damien watched from the front steps.
A grin spread across his face.
"They're finally using first names."
One of the guards looked confused.
"Is that important?"
Damien chuckled.
"Very."
---
Across the city...
Leo was led into an abandoned warehouse.
His hands trembled.
Ricardo DeLuca sat at the far end of the room.
Elegant.
Calm.
Terrifying.
"So..."
Ricardo said softly.
"You met Kelvin Lawson."
Leo nodded.
"He spared me."
"I can see that."
Ricardo stood and slowly walked around him.
"He even paid for your sister's treatment."
Leo looked shocked.
"How did you know?"
Ricardo smiled.
"I know many things."
Leo gathered his courage.
"I'm done working for you."
"I won't betray him."
Ricardo stopped walking.
"I wasn't asking."
He leaned closer.
"I was testing your loyalty."
The warehouse fell silent.
Then Ricardo laughed quietly.
"Take him home."
Leo blinked in confusion.
"What?"
Ricardo turned away.
"I have no use for men who can't be bought."
The guards escorted Leo outside.
As the warehouse doors closed, Vincent stepped from the shadows.
"You let him go."
Ricardo poured himself another drink.
"I wanted Kelvin to earn his loyalty."
Vincent frowned.
"I don't understand."
Ricardo smiled.
"Every person Kelvin saves becomes another reason he'll hesitate when war begins."
"And hesitation..."
He looked toward the dark window.
"...gets people killed."
---
The following morning...
Giovanni Events was buzzing with activity.
Mackenzie and Clara were reviewing plans for a luxury wedding when the receptionist called.
"Miss Giovanni?"
"There's a gentleman here asking for you."
Mackenzie stepped into the reception area.
Her eyes widened.
"Leo?"
The young man smiled nervously.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No."
"What are you doing here?"
He held out a small bouquet of white lilies.
"I came to thank you."
She looked puzzled.
"Me?"
"If you hadn't been at Lawson Manor..."
He smiled.
"I don't think Mr. Lawson would've listened to me the way he did."
Mackenzie accepted the flowers.
"You don't owe me anything."
"I do."
He lowered his voice.
"Please tell him..."
"...he saved more than one life that night."
Before she could ask another question, Leo quietly left.
Sophia, who had just arrived, watched him go.
"Friend of yours?"
"Not exactly."
Mackenzie looked down at the flowers.
"But I think..."
"...he's proof that kindness really does matter."
---
Later that afternoon...
Kelvin was in a strategy meeting when Damien entered.
"Boss."
"What is it?"
"Leo visited Miss Giovanni."
The room fell silent.
Kelvin stood immediately.
"Did anything happen?"
"No."
"He only thanked her."
Kelvin let out a quiet breath.
"Good."
Damien smiled slightly.
"You were worried."
Kelvin didn't deny it.
"Every time someone unexpected gets close to her..."
"I worry."
---
That evening...
As the sun set over Noctis, Mackenzie stood on the balcony of her apartment, holding the bouquet Leo had given her.
Her phone buzzed.
Kelvin:
"Did you get home safely?"
A smile spread across her face.
She replied almost immediately.
"Yes. Thank you for asking."
A moment later, another message appeared.
"Good. Sleep well, Mackenzie."
She stared at the screen for a long moment before typing back.
"You too, Kelvin."
Neither of them realized that this simple exchange marked a turning point.
It was the first time they had spoken outside of business.
The first time it felt... personal.
---
Far away, Ricardo looked at a map of Valestia spread across his desk.
He placed a black chess piece where Lawson Manor stood.
Then another where Giovanni Events was located.
Finally, he moved a third piece between them.
"The board is set."
Vincent looked at him.
"And your first move?"
Ricardo's eyes gleamed.
"We're going to make Kelvin choose."
- Writer
