At that moment, Nick woke up, drenched in sweat, his breath shallow and ragged. He had fallen asleep in his office, and outside, the last rays of sunlight were beginning to vanish.
He went to the bathroom and splashed water on his face, still haunted by the vivid nightmare. Instinctively, he touched the side of his head where Dylan had shot him in the dream—nothing.
He exhaled in relief. He was still alive, still in this world.
But then, he remembered Anthony's kidnapping in the dream and rushed to find his phone.
He called Sara, his voice filled with urgency. He needed to tell her everything and, more importantly, make sure Anthony was okay.
He spoke so fast that Sara couldn't understand a word.
—"Whoa, whoa, Nick, slow down. Breathe. Start over."
—"This is serious, Sara!"
—"I know, love, but I can't understand you. Talk slower."
Nick took a deep breath and began again, recounting every detail of his nightmare. As he spoke, Sara's expression turned pale with concern.
—"I need you to check on Anthony. Please."
—"And I need to check on you, Nick. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. I'm coming to get you right now."
—"I want to talk to Anthony first."
—"Alright."
Sara found Anthony just as he was about to leave the house. She blocked his way with firm resolve.
—"Anthony! You're not going out tonight. Come here."
—"What? Why not, Mom?"
—"That's an order."
—"That's not fair. Ana already left!"
—"You're not going out tonight," she repeated, grabbing his arm and practically dragging him into the living room. "Your father wants to talk to you. He's on the phone."
Sara handed him the receiver, ignoring his protests. Anthony, now frustrated and sulking, answered with irritation, feeling unfairly confined. But after speaking with Nick, he spotted Sara holding little Ismael, who ran giggling into Anthony's arms. Anthony couldn't help but smile. He lifted his little brother in the air, playing with him.
—"I have to go out," Sara said to Anthony, placing a kiss on her son's head. "Look after your brother."
—"Okay, Mom," Anthony replied, cradling Ismael protectively.
Sara instructed Karin not to leave the children's side until she and Nick returned. Then she left.
Outside, the night had fallen cold and heavy. Nick stepped out of his office, heading for his car, when Dylan intercepted him.
But as Dylan tried to paralyze him with a stun gun, Sara appeared—faster than lightning—and disarmed him. Because the one under the black hood… was Nick's wife.
Dylan never saw it coming. In the blink of an eye, Sara had him pinned. Nick secured his wrists with handcuffs just as police sirens echoed in the distance.
But not far from them, a black limousine started and vanished into the darkness.
Nick looked at Dylan with sorrow.
—"You were my friend. I trusted you, Dylan. But now your betrayal will cost you dearly."
Sara, burning with fury, glared at him.
—"You tried to kill my husband. What do you think will happen to your son now?"
As she approached to act on her rage, Nick stopped her. He used Dylan's own stun gun to immobilize him before she could go further.
Police officers arrived and took Dylan into custody. His wife, Irina, was also arrested, and their young son was handed over to child protection services. With both parents imprisoned, they were facing life sentences.
Sara and Nick held each other tightly, breathing in the relief. But just then, Nick's phone rang. It was a call from Adam at the airport.
On the other end, Ana was being forced into a private jet by Adam's men as he spoke calmly:
—"Nick, I don't know how you uncovered Dylan and Irina, but don't celebrate just yet."
—"Adam?! Surrender, you bastard. It's over."
—"No, Nick. It's just over here. I'm leaving the country... and I'm not going alone. Ana's coming with me."
—"What?! Ana?!"
—"The original plan was to have Dylan kill you and take Anthony to torment Sara, but I had to improvise."
—"Dad! Mom! Help me! They're forcing me on a plane!"
—"Ana!" Nick cried in anguish.
—"Say goodbye to your daughter. You'll never see her again. You destroyed my family's business… so I'm taking your little girl. We're even. Goodbye."
The line went dead.
Inside the plane, Ana kept struggling, but one of the men hit her across the cheek.
—"Shut up, you insolent brat! From now on, you'll learn to obey, you filthy little bitch!"
Ana was tied up and gagged, seated roughly. Tears fell silently down her cheeks. She was terrified.
Adam watched her with dark satisfaction, already imagining how he would use her to exact revenge on Nick in a faraway country.
Meanwhile, Sara and Nick raced to the airport. But by the time they arrived, they were informed that Adam's private jet had taken off fifteen minutes earlier, bound for the United States.
Nick trembled with helplessness, but Sara embraced him tightly and whispered in his ear:
—"Stay calm, my love. We'll go after them. I won't let anything happen to our daughter."
Nick closed his eyes, trying to regain control. His wife—so deadly when she needed to be—was his greatest source of hope.
They rushed home to pack, and of course, Anthony would be going with them. Karin, Javier, and Lucy would remain behind to take care of little Ismael Archer.
Meanwhile, their friend Gay would see to the final dismantling of the remaining fragments of the criminal organization, using the full weight of the law.
Anthony, deeply connected to his twin, tried to reach Ana mentally:
Anthony, help me.
We're on our way, Ana. Tell me where you are.
On the plane... tied hand and foot. Gagged. He said they'll teach me how to behave. I'm scared, Anthony.
You're still on the plane?
Yes, we haven't landed yet.
Anthony relayed the conversation to his parents, tears streaming down his face.
—"Mom… they're hurting her. She's tied up. She's scared…" he sobbed.
—"We'll save her," Sara said tenderly.
—"We won't let them hurt her any further," Nick added with quiet determination.
Moments later, the three of them left the mansion, heading straight for the airport. Behind them, Ismael would be kept safe in loving hands—until their return.