The night felt heavier than usual.
Anna stood in the middle of Vincent's living room, her hands clasped tightly together, her mind racing.
Everything had changed.
Not just her life.
Not just her identity.
But the fragile balance between two men who had built their lives on hatred.
And now—
She was standing right in the middle of it.
Vincent walked in, loosening his tie slightly, his sharp eyes immediately landing on her.
He paused.
"You went to see him."
It wasn't a question.
Anna nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Silence stretched between them.
Vincent studied her carefully.
"What did he say?"
Anna swallowed.
This was the moment.
The truth.
The one thing that could either fix everything—
Or destroy it completely.
"He told me about your father."
Vincent's entire posture stiffened.
His eyes darkened instantly.
"What about him?"
Anna took a step closer.
"Vincent… you need to listen to me carefully."
His jaw tightened.
"I'm listening."
Anna hesitated for just a second.
Then—
"He didn't kill your father."
The words dropped into the room like a bomb.
Silence.
Dead silence.
Vincent didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't react.
At least—
Not on the outside.
"What did you just say?"
His voice was low.
Dangerously low.
Anna held her ground.
"He said your father betrayed him," she continued carefully. "That there was a deal… and your father made another one behind his back."
Vincent's eyes hardened.
"Stop."
But Anna didn't.
"He said the other gang turned on your father and killed him."
"I said stop."
His voice rose slightly this time.
Sharp.
Controlled anger cracking through.
Anna's heart pounded, but she didn't back down.
"Vincent, please—"
"You believe him?" he cut in.
His eyes burned now.
Fury barely contained.
Anna hesitated.
"I… I don't know what to believe," she admitted.
Vincent let out a cold laugh.
"Of course."
He turned away from her, running a hand through his hair.
"This is exactly what he does."
Anna frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"He twists things," Vincent said. "He manipulates. He lies."
Anna stepped closer.
"But what if he's not lying?"
Vincent turned sharply.
"And what if he is?"
The tension between them snapped tight.
Anna's chest tightened.
"This isn't just about him anymore," she said softly. "This is about the truth."
Vincent's gaze didn't soften.
"The truth?" he repeated. "The truth is my father is dead. And Maverick is responsible for everything that followed."
Anna shook her head.
"That's not the same as killing him."
Vincent's jaw clenched.
"To me, it is."
Silence filled the room again.
But this time—
It was heavier.
More fragile.
Anna took a deep breath.
"I'm not asking you to forgive him," she said. "I'm not even asking you to trust him."
Vincent didn't respond.
"I'm asking you to consider that maybe…" she paused,
"maybe things aren't exactly how you think they are."
Vincent stared at her.
For a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"Why does this matter so much to you?"
The question caught her off guard.
"Because—"
She stopped.
Then said it.
"Because he's my father."
The words hit harder than anything else.
Vincent's expression shifted slightly.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
Anna's voice softened.
"I didn't ask for this," she said. "I didn't choose any of it."
Vincent looked away briefly.
Then back at her.
"And what do you want?"
She hesitated.
Then—
"I want the truth."
Vincent exhaled slowly.
His anger hadn't disappeared.
But it had… shifted.
Because this wasn't just about him anymore.
It was about her.
"I'll look into it," he said finally.
Anna blinked.
"What?"
"I'll find out what really happened," he said. "My way."
Relief flooded her chest.
"Thank you."
Vincent nodded once.
But his expression remained serious.
"This doesn't change anything between me and him."
Anna nodded.
"I know."
Later that evening…
Anna sat across from Helen in her apartment.
The atmosphere was completely different now.
Warmer.
Familiar.
Safe.
But Anna's mind was still heavy with everything she had been carrying.
Helen leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Okay… start from the beginning," she said. "Because the last time we talked, you were kidnapped."
Anna let out a small, nervous laugh.
"Yeah… about that."
Helen crossed her arms.
"I'm listening."
Anna took a deep breath.
"It wasn't random," she said. "It was planned."
Helen frowned.
"Planned? By who?"
Anna hesitated.
Then—
"By Sheila."
Helen's eyes widened.
"WHAT?!"
Anna nodded.
"She worked with Maverick."
Helen shot up from her seat.
"I knew I didn't like that girl!"
Anna couldn't help but smile slightly.
But it faded quickly.
"There's more."
Helen sat back down slowly.
"I don't think my heart is ready for this."
Anna exhaled.
"Maverick is… my father."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Helen blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
"Excuse me?!"
Anna laughed weakly.
"I know. That was my reaction too."
Helen stared at her like she had just grown a second head.
"Hold on—hold on—"
She raised her hand dramatically.
"You're telling me the man who kidnapped you…"
Anna nodded.
"…is your father?"
Anna nodded again.
Helen leaned back, completely stunned.
"I need water," she muttered.
After a moment, Helen looked back at her.
"Okay. Start explaining. Slowly."
Anna smiled faintly.
"He didn't know I existed," she said. "My mom left him because she was scared of his lifestyle."
Helen frowned.
"Honestly? Valid."
Anna laughed softly.
"Yeah."
"And then?" Helen asked.
"He found out after seeing me," Anna continued. "Said I reminded him of her."
Helen tilted her head.
"Your mom must've been really beautiful."
Anna smiled slightly.
"I think she was."
Helen's expression softened.
"So… how do you feel about all this?"
Anna looked down at her hands.
"I don't know," she admitted.
Helen nodded slowly.
"That makes sense."
Anna sighed.
"It's just… everything is changing so fast."
Helen reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"You don't have to figure it all out at once."
Anna looked up at her.
"Yeah?"
Helen smiled.
"Yeah."
Anna hesitated.
Then added—
"And there's more."
Helen groaned.
"Of course there is."
Anna gave her a small smile.
"He and Vincent… they're enemies because of something that happened with Vincent's father."
Helen frowned.
"Wait—so your dad and your boyfriend are enemies?"
Anna nodded.
Helen stared at her.
Then burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry—but your life is officially a movie."
Anna couldn't help but laugh too.
"I know, right?"
But the laughter faded.
Because reality was still there.
Waiting.
Helen's voice softened.
"Hey… no matter what happens," she said, "I've got you."
Anna smiled.
"I know."
As she left Helen's apartment later that night, Anna felt a strange mix of emotions.
Fear.
Hope.
Confusion.
But also—
Strength.
Because for the first time—
She wasn't running from the truth.
She was facing it.
And somewhere in the city…
Vincent was already digging into the past.
Maverick was watching from the shadows.
And Sheila—
Was waiting for her next move.
Everything was about to collide.