The night bled into morning without sunlight. Lydia's eyes burned from the sleepless hours, her mind replaying Jaden's words like a broken record: "Lydia… forgive me."
But forgive him for what?
For being there?
For hiding something bigger than she could imagine?
The silence in the warehouse was heavy, too deliberate. Cassandra wasn't one to leave anything to chance — which meant this quietness was a setup.
Lydia scanned her surroundings. A cracked window. Two guards outside the metal door. A single flickering bulb overhead.
She shifted, her fingers scraping against the rope. The knot loosened slightly.
She tugged harder.
It gave way.
Her heart thundered as she crouched low, moving behind the crates. Every step was calculated, every breath shallow.
Then she heard it — faint static from a radio.
The guards were talking.
"Boss said he's meeting the man in charge tonight," one said.
"The finance guy?"
"Yeah. Him."
Lydia froze.
The finance guy.
There was only one man she knew who held that title in Cassandra's circle.
Jaden.
Her pulse stumbled. She wanted to scream, to deny it — but deep down, the truth had already taken root.
Still, she refused to believe he'd betray her completely.
Not Jaden.
She reached the far end of the room and found a half-open glass door that led into another chamber. Papers littered the table — invoices, blueprints, photographs. She picked one up.
It was her.
A photo of Lydia leaving her apartment two weeks ago.
Her breath hitched. Another picture — her and Jaden at the rooftop restaurant. Red circles marked around them. Notes scribbled along the margins:
"Target: Emotional leverage. Use with caution."
She dropped the papers, her vision blurring.
"Emotional leverage…"
Was that all she'd ever been?
The sound of heels echoed behind her.
Cassandra.
"Well," Cassandra said smoothly, arms crossed. "I was wondering when you'd find that."
Lydia turned slowly, rage mixing with fear. "Why are you doing this?"
Cassandra smirked. "Because, sweetheart, you're the only weakness he has. And now that I know how much he cares…"
She stepped closer, her perfume sharp, her tone like poison.
"…I can destroy him completely."
Lydia lunged forward, but Cassandra caught her wrist, twisting it easily. "Tsk. You're brave — I'll give you that. But bravery doesn't save you from power games."
Lydia's voice trembled but didn't break. "You think Jaden will let you get away with this?"
Cassandra's smile faltered for a second. "He doesn't have a choice anymore."
Then — the sound of footsteps outside.
A door flung open.
Jaden stormed in, his voice like a blade.
"Enough, Cassandra."
Both women froze.
The air between them vibrated with tension. Lydia's eyes darted between them, trying to read Jaden's expression — fury, guilt, and something else.
Cassandra folded her arms. "Oh look, the knight finally shows up."
Jaden's gaze darkened. "Step away from her."
Cassandra laughed softly. "Make me."
And in that moment — Jaden took a step forward, his jaw tightening —
and Lydia realized something terrifying:
Cassandra wasn't scared.
She wanted him angry.
Because anger was part of her plan.