That would only happen if Sophia chose the light over the darkness.


    But doubt haunted Sophia''s every thought whenever she watched Alex.


    No matter how desperately she wanted to run into his arms, to escape into the promise of a new life-fear held her.


    What if Gilbert killed her brother?


    What if her mother died by Gilbert''s ruthless hand?


    What if Gilbert sent his men to hunt Alex down?


    Every nightmare wed at her mind, keeping her chained in ce.


    Sophia''s feet felt glued to the floor as Alex turned toward the door.


    Her heart screamed for her to move, to shout, to do something. She was going to lose Alex forever-but fear gripped her harder, dragging her down like an anchor.


    Sophia raised a trembling hand, desperate to reach out, but her fear tightened its grip, heavier and more suffocating than ever.


    All she could do was stand frozen, watching helplessly as Alex walked away.


    She knew this was the end, but it felt like a painful mercy.


    Her brother would be safe, her mother would survive, and Alex could live without harm.


    Yet, if everything was supposed to be fine, why was her heart breaking so violently?


    Yes, they were safe-but who would save her?


    Her chest tightened until she could barely breathe. Agony crushed her like a vice.


    The panicked hotel staff suddenly rushed in through the shattered door.


    The manager called for an ambnce for Gilbert, chaos erupting around her — but Sophia simply copsed in the corner, burying her face in silent tears.


    She was never a fighter.


    Crying alone had always been herfort.


    As sorrow overwhelmed her, darkness flooded her vision, pulling her into unconsciousness.


    The hotel staff found her limp on the floor and frantically called for help.


    Meanwhile, even after returning to the clinic, Alex couldn''t shake the ache Sophia had left behind.


    Her rejection had been a devastating blow.


    He''d never imagined she would treat his feelings like a toy.


    They could have parted peacefully, but she''d chosen to create bitterness instead.


    He couldn''t understand what he''d done to deserve it, reying every moment they''d shared.


    Nothing made sense.


    Perhaps it really was time to let go once and for all.


    The next morning, as Alex opened the clinic doors, a sleek ck car skidded to a stop outside.


    A man in a dark suit stormed in, his eyes scanning the room with arrogant disdain. "Who''s Alex Leonhart?" he demanded loudly.


    Alex calmly set down his coffee. "That''s me. Mind telling me what this is about?"


    "I''m here on behalf of Mr. Gilbert Guise," the man sneered, emphasizing the name as if it were sacred.


    "You attacked Mr. Guisest night, and ording to Parisianw, you now have two choices: fight to prove your innocence in the arena, or let the police drag you away and have a judge decide your fate."


    Alex understood immediately.


    Paris was infamous for its brutal dueling culture-justice often decided through strength and spectacle rather than true fairness.


    Gilbert clearly intended to humiliate him publicly, demonstrating his dominance in front of Sophia.


    Alex met the man''s gaze with steely defiance.


    He was done with Sophia, done with the tangled mess she''d made of his life.


    "I refuse," he replied coldly. "Frankly, I''ve lost interest in anything connected to Gilbert."


    "Arrogant little fool!" the man sneered viciously.


    "No one has ever dared to refuse a challenge from the Guise family. Listen carefully, brat: refuse this duel, and we won''t bother calling the cops."


    "Instead, we''ll hunt you down ourselves. You-and everyone you care about-will suffer."


    "The one grave meant for you will be ten-one for each of your loved ones. Think it over."


    Alex narrowed his eyes, his voice deadly calm. "Is that a threat?"


    "You bet it is!" the messenger spat.


    "Tomorrow at noon, Paris Arena. Be there or brace yourself for what''sing. And don''t even dream about running away."


    "We have eyes everywhere. Instead of dying like a scared rat, why not face your death with dignity in the arena?"


    "At least then your worthless pride stays intact, and innocent blood won''t be spilled because of you."


    Alex shook his head, weary and disgusted. "Forget it. I''ve had enough of this."


    The man chuckled cruelly. "Suit yourself. But think hard about your choice." With a cold smirk, he turned sharply and stalked out the door.


    Alex slumped into a chair, his mind spinning.


    He had lost Sophia, and now trouble kept piling higher and higher.


    At noon, Lyra rushed into his clinic, her face filled with panic.


    "Alex! Are you really nning to fight in the Paris Arena tomorrow?"


    "No, I am not," Alex said, confused.


    Without wasting a moment, Lyra shoved her phone into his face.


    On the screen shed a poster announcing tomorrow''s duel: "Thunder Fist


    Michael vs. Alex the Loser - The Death Match."


    Lyra''s eyes trembled as she spoke. "Alex, this isn''t just any fight it''s a death match. How could you be so reckless?"


    "I never agreed to it," Alex snapped defensively.


    Lyra paced anxiously, shaking her head. "Then the rumors were true..."


    "What rumors?" Alex demanded sharply.


    "The Guise family never fights fair. Whenever someone crosses them, they force them into a duel against Paris''s deadliest fighter."


    "This


    Pel-he''s known as the


    ver


    God of Death. He''s ughtered two hundred people in that arena, all


    f of the Guise famina, all


    Alex''s jaw clenched in fury. “So, they abuse their power without consequence?"


    Lyra


    grimly. "Some people


    tried to run when challenged,


    Guise family uses that as a rehe


    to send their elite assassins.


    "No one has ever survived refusing or fleeing from them."


    Lyra gripped Alex''s arm desperately. "Don''t go. Come with me to Chicago. I''ll protect you, even if it means war against Guise."


    Alex stared straight ahead, his voice bitterly defiant. "No. Let theme after me


    I''m not fighting the duel, and I''m not hiding."


    Before Lyra could protest further, the screech of tires shattered the quiet.


    A car skidded to a violent halt outside.


    The air exploded with gunfire-a ruthless barrage of bullets shredding ss and


    walls.


    "Lyra, get down!" Alex shouted, leaping forward and shielding her body with his


    own.


    Bullets whizzed past, tearing apart shelves, furniture, and windows.


    ss shards sprayed through the room, slicing his skin as the relentless gunfire turned the clinic into a warzone.


    Alex''s clinic turned into a storm of chaos and destruction in an instant.


    When the shooting finally stopped, Alex burst to his feet, fury zing in his eyes.


    He sprinted toward the shattered


    door, determined to chase down the


    attackers who had already sped


    away in their car, but Lyra grabbed him desperately.


    "Don''t!" she cried. "It''s a trap, Alex! This is exactly how the Guise family operates!"


    Alex clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.


    Rage surged through his veins, every thought consumed by Gilbert''s arrogant


    face.


    They had crossed the line.


    "Those bastards..." Alex growled darkly, eyes burning with fury.


    "Fine, if they want a fight, I''ll give it to them. Tomorrow, I''ll show them exactly who


    they''re messing with."