Back at her firm, Elena buried herself in work to avoid thinking about Damian. But Viktor Krolov's shadow loomed larger by the day. Threatening calls began, and then one night she found her car vandalized, the word LEAVE carved into the hood.
Linda begged her to call Damian. "He's the only one who can protect you!"
"I can't," Elena said, her voice trembling. "I can't trust him anymore."
But deep down, she knew Viktor wouldn't stop.
Two nights later, as Elena locked up the office, a van screeched to a halt beside her. Masked men jumped out, grabbing her before she could scream.
"Let me go!" she shouted, kicking and clawing.
One of the men pressed a knife to her throat. "You should've walked away," he hissed.