Reyna was safe.
But the war wasn't over.
Three nights later, Sage received a message.
Not a threat.
Not a video.
Just an address.
And one line:
"Come alone if you want the truth."
She stared at it for a long time.
Then she did something reckless.
She didn't tell S4RKU.
Abandoned art gallery. South Delhi.
Dust. Broken glass. Silence.
Sage stepped inside.
Her heart pounded - not with fear.
With defiance.
A slow clap echoed from the shadows.
"Well," a smooth voice said,
"The queen arrives."
A man stepped forward.
No mask.
Sharp suit.
Cold smile.
Early thirties.
Confident.
"I expected more security," he added.
Sage's jaw tightened.
"You wanted to see me. I'm here."
He studied her carefully.
"So this is what distracted the Devil."
She didn't react.
"You kidnapped my friend."
"Yes."
He didn't flinch.
"And you're still alive because I wanted you curious."
Silence.
He stepped closer.
"Tell me... did he ever tell you who ordered his mother's death?"
Her breath hitched.
"You did."
The man smiled.
"No."
That single word hit differently.
"He thinks I did," the rival continued calmly.
"And I let him believe it."
The air shifted.
"What are you saying?" she demanded.
"I'm saying... he's been killing the wrong enemies for years."
Her pulse thundered.
"That's a lie."
"Is it?"
The rival circled her slowly.
"The night his mother died... there was a third party involved."
He leaned closer.
"Someone inside his own circle."
Her mind raced.
"No."
"He built his empire on revenge," the rival whispered.
"But he never asked the right question."
She stepped back.
"You're trying to manipulate me."
He smirked.
"Of course I am."
Honesty again.
"But that doesn't make it false."
He handed her a small flash drive.
"Proof."
She didn't take it immediately.
"If this is true... why tell me?"
His smile faded slightly.
"Because if he finds out alone... he'll burn the entire country."
Pause.
"But if you're beside him when he learns the truth... you might be the only thing that stops him."
The words settled heavily.
She finally took the flash drive.
And in that exact moment-
A gun clicked behind the rival's head.
The rival froze.
Sage's breath stopped.
S4RKU's voice filled the room.
Cold.
Controlled.
"You think I wouldn't track her?"
He stepped out of the shadows.
Gun steady.
Eyes locked on the rival.
The air felt seconds away from exploding.
The rival chuckled lightly.
"You should ask her what I gave her."
S4RKU's gaze flicked to Sage.
Her hand tightened around the flash drive.
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
"Walk away," the rival said softly.
"If you kill me now... you'll never know who really betrayed you."
S4RKU's finger tightened slightly on the trigger.
Sage stepped between them.
His eyes snapped to her.
"Move," he ordered.
"No."
Her voice was steady.
This wasn't fear anymore.
This was choice.
"He says there's proof," she said quietly.
Rage flickered in S4RKU's eyes.
"You believe him?"
"I believe there's something you don't know."
That sentence hit harder than a bullet.
The rival smiled faintly.
Smart girl.
S4RKU lowered the gun slowly.
Not because he forgave.
But because he wanted answers more than blood.
"For now," he said coldly.
The rival stepped back into shadow.
"Careful, Sage," he said softly.
"The truth is darker than love."
And then he disappeared.
Silence filled the abandoned gallery.
S4RKU turned to her slowly.
"You disobeyed me."
"You would have killed him."
"Yes."
She held up the flash drive.
"What if he's right?"
His jaw clenched.
"He's lying."
"Are you sure?"
That question cracked something.
Not doubt.
Fear.
Because if there was betrayal inside his own circle...
Everything he built stood on the wrong grave.
He stepped closer to her.
"Whatever is on that drive..."
His voice lowered.
"If it changes things..."
"It won't change me," she said softly.
Silence.
Their eyes locked.
War outside.
Truth inside.
And something more dangerous than enemies-
Secrets.