The mansion had never felt like a battlefield before.
Now—
It was one.
Orders were being shouted.
Guards moved faster, sharper, more alert than ever.
Weapons were checked.
Doors secured.
Positions taken.
Sophia stood in the center of it all, her heart racing as everything around her shifted into controlled chaos.
This wasn't preparation.
This was anticipation.
"She's coming," she said quietly.
Luciano stood a few feet away, speaking to his men, his voice calm but absolute.
"Yes."
He turned to her.
And in his eyes—
There was no doubt.
"When?" she asked.
A pause.
"Soon."
That was all he needed to say.
Because she felt it too.
That pressure.
That invisible countdown ticking down to something inevitable.
"You stay close to me," Luciano added.
Sophia didn't argue this time.
"I will."
Outside—
The gates stood tall.
Closed.
Guarded.
But silence hung too heavy in the air.
Too still.
Too quiet.
And then—
It broke.
A loud explosion tore through the front gates.
The ground shook beneath them.
Glass shattered.
Alarms screamed to life.
Sophia flinched, her heart slamming violently against her chest.
"They're here!" someone shouted.
Gunfire erupted almost instantly.
Luciano's hand grabbed hers without hesitation.
"Stay with me."
"I am," she said, breathless.
But everything was happening too fast.
Men rushed past them.
Taking positions.
Returning fire.
The sound—
It was overwhelming.
Loud.
Relentless.
Unstoppable.
Sophia's chest tightened as she tried to stay focused.
Tried to stay grounded.
This wasn't a warning.
This was war.
"Move!" Luciano ordered, pulling her with him.
They moved through the halls quickly, his grip firm around her hand.
Not letting go.
Not even for a second.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Safer position."
Another explosion rocked the building.
Closer this time.
Sophia stumbled slightly.
Luciano caught her instantly.
"I've got you," he said.
Her breath came fast.
"I know."
They reached a reinforced section of the mansion.
Guards already stationed.
Weapons ready.
"This is where you stay," Luciano said.
Sophia shook her head immediately.
"No."
His gaze hardened.
"This isn't up for debate."
"And I'm not hiding while you—"
Gunfire echoed closer.
Interrupting her.
Luciano stepped closer.
Grabbing her shoulders.
"Listen to me," he said, his voice low but urgent.
"If you leave this room—"
A pause.
"—I won't be able to focus."
Her breath caught.
"That's not fair," she whispered.
"It's the truth."
Silence.
Because she knew he meant it.
Knew it wasn't manipulation.
It was real.
"Then come back," she said softly.
His gaze held hers.
"I will."
A pause.
Then—
He let go.
And walked away.
Sophia stood frozen for a second.
Her heart racing.
Her chest tight.
Then—
Another explosion shook the walls.
And reality snapped back in.
She wasn't safe.
Not really.
Because this wasn't just about the mansion.
This was about her.
Outside—
Luciano moved like a storm.
Precise.
Controlled.
Deadly.
His men followed his commands without hesitation.
Shots fired.
Targets taken down.
Positions secured.
But it wasn't enough.
Because Isabella didn't come unprepared.
She never did.
Inside—
Sophia paced.
Her mind racing.
Her instincts screaming.
Something wasn't right.
This felt too direct.
Too obvious.
"She's not just attacking," Sophia whispered.
She stopped.
Her eyes widening slightly.
"She's distracting."
Her pulse spiked.
"No…"
This wasn't the real attack.
This was a diversion.
Before she could move—
The door burst open.
Two guards turned instantly—
But it was too late.
Gunshots echoed.
Both men dropped.
Sophia's breath caught sharply.
Her heart stopping.
And then—
She saw her.
Isabella stepped inside.
Calm.
Untouched.
Untouchable.
Like chaos didn't exist outside those walls.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to figure it out," Isabella said softly.
Sophia stepped back instinctively.
Her pulse racing.
"You…" she whispered.
Isabella smiled.
"Me."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
"You didn't come for the mansion," Sophia said slowly.
"No."
"You came for me."
Isabella tilted her head slightly.
"Now you're understanding."
Sophia's chest tightened.
Her mind racing for options.
For escape.
But there was none.
Not this time.
"Luciano won't let you leave with me," Sophia said.
Isabella smiled faintly.
"He's not here."
That hit.
Because it was true.
He wasn't.
"He'll find you," Sophia added.
A pause.
Then—
"I'm counting on it."
Sophia's heart pounded violently.
Because this—
This was exactly what Isabella wanted.
Not just her.
Him.
Isabella stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
"You changed him," she said.
Sophia didn't respond.
"You made him hesitate."
Another step.
"And now…"
Closer.
"I take you."
Sophia's breath came faster.
Her hands clenched slightly.
"No," she said.
Isabella smiled.
"You don't get a choice this time."
Outside—
Luciano froze.
Something—
Something was wrong.
The attack.
The pattern.
The timing.
His expression darkened instantly.
"Inside," he said.
And ran.
Back in the room—
Sophia stood her ground.
Her heart racing.
But her eyes steady.
"You think this ends with me?" she said.
Isabella paused.
"No," she said softly.
"But it begins with you."
And before Sophia could react—
Everything went dark.