Chapter 25: The Last Loose Thread
Elara's heels echoed on the marble floors of the Roth estate—now stripped of its gold trimmings, its portraits removed, and its power dismantled.
She had returned not for nostalgia, but to take inventory of what remained.
The government had seized most assets.
But there were pieces no one understood—vaults her uncle built with secrets far more dangerous than money.
And someone was still after them.
"Morocco?" Evelyn asked through the secure line as Elara scanned a fingerprint-locked drawer.
"Dominic confirmed it. Salif Mansour. He wasn't just Roth's fixer—he was the cleaner."
Evelyn whistled. "You going after him?"
Elara paused. "I have to be sure he doesn't resurface."
"Then take backup. You're not that lone-wolf girl anymore."
Elara smiled faintly. "No. I'm a mother with too much to lose."
That night, Aaron sat beside her, silent as she packed a small bag.
"I hate this," he muttered. "Not because I don't understand... but because I do."
She touched his cheek. "Just a few days. I need to shut this door properly."
He sighed. "Then I'm going with you."
Her brows lifted. "Aaron—Leo—"
"I've already talked to Evelyn. She'll stay with him. I'm not letting you walk into a fire without me."
Elara's eyes shimmered. "I never thought anyone would fight beside me. Not really."
Aaron held her hand. "You're not alone anymore, El. Not now. Not ever again."
Two days later, they were in Casablanca.
Dominic had secured a safe house and briefed them on Mansour's compound. High walls. Armed guards. But Elara wasn't intimidated.
She had brought down an empire before.
One man wouldn't stop her.
At midnight, they slipped into the compound's side entrance.
Elara moved like shadow—quiet, certain. Aaron was behind her, armed but calm. Dominic handled the back line, disabling the exterior feeds.
Inside, Mansour was waiting.
"You should've stayed hidden," he sneered, stepping out of the darkness. "You already won your little fairy tale."
Elara raised her chin. "This isn't about revenge. It's about closure."
Mansour lunged.
Two shots rang out—one from Aaron, one from Elara.
Mansour collapsed without a word.
Later, on the rooftop, Elara looked over the city—glowing, endless, indifferent.
Aaron joined her. "Is it over?"
She let out a long breath. "Now it is."
Back home a week later, Leo ran into her arms with a joyful squeal.
Elara clutched him tightly, tears blurring her vision. This time, when she held him, the fear was gone.
There were no more shadows waiting to take him.
No more contracts.
No more cages.
Only the life they would build—together.