The night settled heavily over the property, but Kelvin could not sleep. He sat alone in the small office adjacent to Andrew’s room, staring at the desk without really seeing it. For years, he had believed that loyalty was simple. Don Marcelo gave an order, and Kelvin followed it. There was no room for questions, hesitation, or conscience. But tonight everything felt different. He had finally told Andrew the truth, and now the secret was no longer his alone. Inside the room, Andrew was awake too. He sat beneath the narrow window, his eyes fixed on the faint strip of darkness visible through the glass. His mind kept returning to Kelvin’s words. 'I wanted to take you with me.' Andrew had spent months believing he was completely alone. He had imagined escape dozens of times, but every possibility ended with the same conclusion: even if he somehow got outside, where would he go? Who could he trust? How would he find Juliana? Now, for the first time, he had someone beside h

The weeks that followed were strangely ordinary. That was what unsettled Jennifer the most. Steven returned to his usual routine as though the phone call had never happened. He went to work, came home for dinner, complained about traffic, teased her about leaving books all over the sitting room, and sometimes fell asleep on the couch while watching television. Nothing about him suggested that his world had changed. But Jennifer knew better. She was watching him now. Not suspiciously. Carefully. She noticed the little things she had ignored for years. The way Steven always kept his phone close. The way he sometimes disappeared into his study whenever certain calls came through. The way his expression changed whenever August was mentioned. And most importantly, the way he had refused to explain himself when she mentioned the Black Ledger Circle. That answer had stayed with her. Not because he had confirmed anything. But because he hadn't denied it. One afternoon, Jennife

The desert seemed endless. For hours, Kelvin and Andrew had walked through nothing but darkness, dry earth and scattered rocks, with the occasional distant glow of a road disappearing beyond the horizon. Andrew's legs were beginning to ache, and even Kelvin, who had spent years moving through dangerous places without showing exhaustion, was breathing harder than before. Neither man complained. They simply kept moving. Finally, Kelvin stopped. Andrew almost walked into him. “What is it?” Kelvin looked around. “Here.” Andrew stared at the empty stretch of land. “Here?” “Yes.” “There is nothing here.” Kelvin gave him a brief look. “Exactly.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a phone. Andrew's eyes immediately dropped to it. “You have a phone?” Kelvin nodded. “I've had it for years.” Andrew frowned. “I've never seen it.” “You weren't supposed to.” Kelvin switched it on. The screen lit up. For a moment, he simply stared at it. Andre

Harrera looked toward the window. “Because I'm tired of waiting for life to decide what happens to me.” His voice dropped. “I want to build something with her before everything falls apart.” Don Marcelo was silent. Harrera continued, “If Andrew returns, I don't know what will happen. I don't know what he will say. I don't know what Juliana will believe. But I'm not going to stand around and watch my future disappear because I was too afraid to claim it.” His father said nothing for several seconds. Finally, he asked, “Does Juliana know you are thinking about marriage?” “No.” “Then don't make a foolish decision because you're afraid.” Harrera's jaw tightened. “This isn't fear.” “Then what is it?” Harrera looked down. “Love.” Don Marcelo gave a humorless laugh. “Love has already caused you enough problems.” Harrera ended the call. He remained standing in silence. Then his phone buzzed. A message from Juliana. 'Good morning. Are you coming to see

Raphael stood immediately. “She what?” “She agreed.” Raphael's jaw tightened. “Where is she?” “She's upstairs.” Raphael walked away before Emiliano could say anything else. He found Juliana in her room. She was sitting by the window when he entered. “Juli.” She looked up. “Raphael.” “Tell me what I heard isn't true.” Juliana knew immediately what he meant. “It is.” Raphael stared at her. “You agreed to marry Harrera?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because I love him.” Raphael's expression hardened. “And Andrew?” Juliana's face changed. “Raphael…” “No. Answer me.” She stood. “What do you want me to do? Wait forever?” “That's not what I'm saying.” “Then what are you saying?” Raphael ran a hand through his hair. “I'm saying this is sudden.” “I know.” “Too sudden.” “Maybe.” Raphael looked at her carefully. “You didn't accept him because you're angry at Andrew, did you?” Juliana's eyes filled with emotion. “No.” “Juli.” “I sa