The night sky above New York shimmered with stars, but inside the Blackstone mansion, silence loomed like a thick fog.
Sebastian stood by the window in his study, one hand resting on the cold glass as he gazed at the distant city lights. His jaw was tight, his eyes distant. He had just received intel from a private source—a name he hadn't heard in years had resurfaced.
Lysandro Velluci.
A ghost from his past. A name that once meant war in the world of power, secrets, and control.
"Sir," Victor entered, his voice low. "The files you asked for… are here."
Sebastian turned slowly, his sharp eyes piercing through Victor.
"Put them on the desk," he said.
Victor did as told but hesitated. "Are you sure you want to open that door again? Lysandro isn't just a man… he's a storm."
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "The storm has already arrived, Victor. I just need to decide whether to fight it... or burn it."
Meanwhile…
Ayla stirred from a restless sleep. The nightmares had returned—memories she tried to bury deep in her soul. Her hand instinctively touched her abdomen. The secret she carried weighed heavier with each day.
I need to tell him.
She stood up, wrapping a robe around her. The silence in the room was deafening. Ever since her return, the house had been tense. She and Sebastian hadn't had a real conversation yet. His distance stabbed her like knives, yet she understood. She had vanished from his life at a time when he needed her the most.
Downstairs, she found Emma, the housekeeper, arranging flowers.
"Emma," Ayla whispered. "Where's Sebastian?"
Emma glanced at her with warmth but concern in her eyes. "He's in the study, ma'am. He's been there all night."
Ayla nodded, her heart pounding. It's now or never.
In the Study
Sebastian was lost in thought when the door creaked open. He didn't turn—he knew her scent, her presence. She was the only calm in the chaos of his life.
"Ayla."
Her name rolled off his tongue like a prayer and a warning at once.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," she said softly, stepping closer.
He turned, his gaze scanning her face.
"You're not interrupting," he replied, though his eyes carried the storm he was battling.
"I need to tell you something," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
He walked to her, standing inches away. "Then say it."
Ayla hesitated, her hand on her stomach. "I'm pregnant, Sebastian."
Silence. His breath hitched for a moment, and then his eyes slowly widened.
"You… what?"
She nodded, her eyes moist with emotion. "It's yours. It happened before I left."
Sebastian stumbled back, his hand brushing through his hair. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"I wanted to. But everything happened so fast… the threats, the fire, the chaos. I thought I was protecting the baby… protecting you."
A long pause stretched between them.
Then he whispered, "You were always protecting everyone, Ayla. But who protected you?"
Her lip quivered.
He reached for her hand, placing it gently on her belly. "We're not hiding anymore. Not from our past. Not from our enemies. Not even from ourselves."
Later That Night
Victor entered again, tension written all over his face.
"Sir, we have a problem."
Sebastian tightened his grip around Ayla, who had refused to leave his side since the confession.
"What kind of problem?" he asked.
Victor hesitated. "Lysandro Velluci is not just back… he's in New York. And he's not alone."
Ayla's breath caught in her throat.
Sebastian's voice turned dark. "Tell me everything."
Victor nodded. "He's working with an underground network. Arms, data leaks, political blackmail. And… he's looking for Ayla."
Ayla flinched.
"Why me?" she whispered.
Sebastian looked down. "Because you're not just my wife, Ayla. You're the key to something he wants. Something your father once took from him."
Ayla froze.
"My father?" she asked, barely able to speak.
Victor handed over a folder. "Your father was once involved in covert operations. He held a code… something called 'Project Eden'. It's a dormant file linked to national defense systems. The only person alive who can access it is you."
Ayla's world spun.
"I thought my father was just a business analyst…?"
Sebastian shook his head. "He had two lives. And one of them is now dragging you into the darkness."
The New Character Appears
Suddenly, the security alarm blared across the mansion.
"Stay here!" Sebastian ordered, pulling his gun from the drawer.
Ayla grabbed his arm. "Be careful."
He gave her one last look and rushed out.
At the entrance, he found his security team holding a man down.
"I didn't come to attack!" the man screamed. "I came to help! I know about Lysandro!"
Sebastian walked closer, lowering his weapon. "Who are you?"
The man, blood on his lip, struggled. "Name's Leo Carter. I was part of Lysandro's team… until he betrayed us. I know his next move."
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "Talk fast."
Leo groaned. "He's planning a hit on someone important. Not you. Not Ayla. Someone in the government. But he's using Ayla as bait. He's going to leak false information that she's a threat. Once she's arrested, he'll swoop in."
Ayla entered, her face pale. "I heard everything."
Sebastian glared at Leo. "Why are you here now?"
"Because I want to live. And because my sister died because of him," Leo said. "I need revenge. And I figured… you do too."
Sebastian looked at Victor, then back at Leo. "You've got one chance. Don't waste it."
Later in the Bedroom
Ayla sat on the bed, trying to calm her nerves.
Sebastian joined her, cupping her face.
"I promise you," he whispered, "I won't let anything happen to you or the baby."
She closed her eyes, resting her forehead against his. "I believe you."
Their kiss was soft, slow, full of promises and pain. They had both changed—scarred by choices, hardened by survival—but at their core, their love remained.
Somewhere in the Shadows
Lysandro Velluci leaned against a black limousine, cigarette in hand.
"She's still breathing," he muttered.
A woman stepped beside him—tall, elegant, with icy blue eyes.
"She won't be for long," the woman whispered. "Let me take care of Ayla Blackstone."
Lysandro smirked. "Welcome to the game… Cassandra."