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Chapter 15 - chapter 15

System Countdown: 41 Hours Until Scheduled Betrayal.]

[Affection: 44%. Trust: 36%. Emotional Warning: Attachment Level Rising.]

[Reminder: Deliver evidence to Agent M. Penalty for failure: Death.]

The night air was cool and fragrant with lavender, carried in from the garden wall that wrapped around the private rooftop like a crown. But Liora couldn't enjoy the view.

Not when the man she was meant to destroy sat across from her, wine in hand, smiling like he actually meant it.

"I don't host many dinners, Nikolai said, gaze flicking over the city skyline. "But you… seem to make me do things I don't do.

Liora folded her hands in her lap. Her gown shimmered silver under the moonlight, slitted high, dangerously soft against her skin. "Is that a compliment or a warning?

"A confession, he murmured, sipping from his glass. "Do you like confessions, Alessia?

Only when they're yours, she thought. But instead, she said: "Depends on what you're guilty of.

He chuckled. More than I could ever say out loud.

The table between them was rich with candlelight, Italian food, and aged Bordeaux. The kind of setup women dream of.

The kind of setup the System designed to test her resolve.

[Objective Reminder: You must not fall for the target. Emotional entanglement reduces system efficiency.]

Too late. His gaze alone could have rewritten her mission.

You haven't asked why I brought you up here, he said after a long silence.

Liora looked at him. "Why did you?

Nikolai stood slowly and walked to the edge of the rooftop, the wind pulling at his open shirt. He didn't look at her when he said, "Because I don't know who the hell you really are. And that… that's the first thing in years that's made me feel alive.

Her pulse skipped.

You could be lying to me, he continued. "You could be a spy. Or worse. But I can't bring myself to dig.

He turned, now walking back to her. Because every time I'm near you, I think… let her lie, as long as she stays.

Liora stood too. Her knees felt like water.

"Nikolai…

He stepped close. "Do you know what it means when a man like me feels something? It means he's already lost.

And then he kissed her.

Not the hungry, possessive kisses from the training room. No. This one was slow, reverent, laced with the quiet kind of love no one ever says out loud.

[Affection Level: 51%. Emotional Lock Triggered. Betrayal will now cause Irreversible Psychological Damage to Target.]

[WARNING: Betrayal Level – Maximum.]

Liora's heart cracked.

He kissed her like she was salvation.

And she had a keycard hidden in her dress, stolen from his jacket.

They didn't speak for a long time after. He held her against his chest, his fingers stroking her spine like a lullaby.

"I'm dangerous," he whispered into her hair.

"So am I, she whispered back.

She felt him smile. "Good. I wouldn't survive loving someone weak.

[System Note: Love Confession Achieved.]

[Reward: Temporary Immunity From Immediate Execution If Caught.]

A single tear slid down her cheek.

Because he'd said it without saying it.

He loved her.

And she had 41 hours to destroy him.

Back in her room, she collapsed onto the bed.

She pulled the keycard from her bra and stared at it like it was a knife. Her hands shook.

[Upcoming Rendezvous – Agent M – 1AM Tomorrow. Location: Abandoned Chapel near Dock 17.]

[Choice Branching: Deliver Keycard (Complete World 2) / Refuse Betrayal (System Override & Penalty).]

She closed her eyes and whispered:

"I can't do this to him.

The System responded with a cold message:

[Then he'll do it to you.]

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