Agnes stared at the encrypted screen in front of her, her heart racing as the weight of what Majek had just revealed sank in. The documents weren't just ordinary files. They were evidence—proof of corruption, blackmail, and illegal deals hidden deep within her father's empire.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Agnes felt a flicker of something inside her—a spark of defiance that had been buried beneath years of control. This was the leverage they needed, the key to breaking free.
But the thought of using it sent a cold shiver down her spine.
"How do you know this will work?" she asked, her voice tight. "How do we even know these documents are legitimate?"
Majek's eyes didn't leave the screen. "I've trusted this contact for a long time. If they say this is real, it's real. And if we use it the right way, it can expose everything your father has built."
Agnes shook her head, disbelief still lingering in her chest. "But if we go after him like this, there's no turning back. If my father finds out we're using this—"
Majek's hand found hers again, steady and firm. "Then we'll deal with it. Together."
The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten. She wanted to believe him. She needed to believe him. But this wasn't just about her freedom anymore—it was about exposing a system built on lies and corruption, a system that would stop at nothing to protect itself.
"Do you really think we can win this?" Agnes asked quietly, her voice faltering as her heart raced.
"I don't know," Majek said, his gaze softening. "But I know we can't win if we don't try. You've already made the hardest decision, Agnes. Now we fight for everything else."
The fire in his words was undeniable, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel the same determination. They had no guarantees, no safety nets. But they did have each other. And that, at least, was enough for now.
The next few days passed in a blur of preparation. The apartment became a war room of sorts, with Majek working late into the night to make sense of the documents, to formulate a plan that wouldn't just tear apart her father's empire, but also give them a fighting chance. Agnes did her part too, digging into old contacts, trying to find allies, trying to find a way out of the stranglehold her father had placed on her life.
But despite the flurry of action, a constant undercurrent of dread lingered in the air. Agnes could feel it gnawing at her. Every phone call, every whispered conversation with Majek, felt like one step closer to the precipice. And yet, no matter how much she tried to steady her nerves, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking on the edge of a cliff, with only the faintest hope of surviving the fall.
One evening, as Majek scrolled through the latest set of files, Agnes found herself lost in thought, staring out of the window. Her mind raced, caught between the pull of her father's expectations and the growing sense of freedom that was slipping through her fingers like sand.
"You're quiet tonight," Majek remarked, his voice cutting through her thoughts. He looked up from the screen, his dark eyes studying her closely.
Agnes shrugged, though she knew the gesture betrayed the turmoil within. "Just thinking."
"About what?" he asked, his voice softer now. He set the files aside, his focus entirely on her.
She turned to face him, meeting his gaze with a vulnerability she hadn't let herself feel in days. "About what happens after all of this. After we use the documents, after everything comes to light... then what? Where do we go from there?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. What would happen after? Would they even have the freedom they were fighting for, or would the consequences of their actions overshadow everything they'd hoped to build?
"We'll figure it out," Majek said after a pause, his voice quiet but sure. He crossed the room to her, gently cupping her face in his hands. "One step at a time, Agnes. We don't have to have it all figured out right now. We just need to keep moving forward. Together."
Her breath hitched as his warmth wrapped around her, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed to ease. It was hard to remember, in the middle of all the chaos, that they had a future to fight for. That no matter how hard the road ahead seemed, they weren't alone.
"I'm scared," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if this isn't enough? What if we don't make it out of this?"
Majek's eyes softened, and he kissed her forehead gently. "We will. I promise you. We've already come too far to turn back now."
For a moment, there was silence, a fragile peace between them. Then, as if the universe had decided to remind them that peace was fleeting, the sharp buzz of the doorbell cut through the stillness.
Agnes stiffened, her heart rate quickening. She exchanged a look with Majek, who immediately tensed.
"Stay here," he said, his voice low. "I'll check it out."
But Agnes wasn't about to be left behind. She stood and followed him toward the door, her pulse pounding in her ears. Whoever was on the other side was no friend of theirs.
Majek reached for the handle and cracked the door open just enough to peer outside. When he saw who was standing there, his expression hardened.
Lami.
Agnes froze in the doorway, her stomach twisting at the sight of him. She hadn't seen Lami in weeks—ever since the incident at the café. The last time they'd spoken, he had threatened Majek's life, his jealousy seething like poison. She could feel the tension in the air immediately, like a storm about to break.
"What are you doing here?" Majek's voice was sharp, protective, but underneath it, Agnes could hear the edge of concern.
Lami's smirk was as cold and arrogant as ever. "I think you know why I'm here," he said smoothly, his eyes flicking to Agnes as if he owned her, as if she were still the property of the Lewis family. "I came to collect what's mine."
Agnes's breath caught. The words felt like a slap in the face, even more so coming from him. How dare he stand there and speak to her like she was a possession to be taken?
"You're out of your mind if you think you can just waltz in here and make demands," Majek snarled. "Agnes isn't going anywhere with you."
Lami's eyes darkened, his smile twisting into something far more dangerous. "You're a fool, Majek. You don't know what you're up against. My father is already on his way to deal with you two."
Agnes felt a chill run down her spine. "What do you mean?" she demanded, her voice shaking despite herself.
Lami's gaze flicked back to her, a cruel gleam in his eyes. "You think you've won? You think you can escape him? It's already too late. Your father knows everything, Agnes. And now, so do I."
He stepped forward, pushing the door open wider, his presence filling the room like a storm. "You can't run from your family's destiny. You'll come with me, or I'll make sure Majek pays the price."
Majek stepped in front of her, his stance protective, and Agnes could see the fight in his eyes. He wasn't backing down. Neither was she.
This was it. The war had officially begun.