Then—without warning—Xander’s fist connected with his face. Blood sttered as Mr. Wace stumbled from the impact.


    "After everything you’ve done, you still have the audacity to spew nonsense?" Xander seethed, grabbing him by the cor andnding another punch.


    Mrs. Wace flinched as if she wanted to intervene—but she didn’t.


    Suddenly, sirens red from outside.


    Mr. Wace broke into a cold sweat.


    Police officers stormed in, separating Xander from him.


    "Mr. Wace, you’re under arrest," one of the officers stated firmly.


    Shock spread across Mr. Wace’s face. Was this how it was all going to end? Just like that? After everything he had done to get this far, was he really going to jail?


    Then, Xavier’s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.


    "Because of you, Anastasia was taken from me." He paused, his expression unreadable. "But it’s sad, really... because she was never dead."


    The color drained from Mr. Wace’s face.


    "What do you mean?" He thrashed against the officer’s grip. But there was no time for Xavier to exin himself. "Don’t you dare touch me! I’m not going anywhere with you!" He turned desperately to Xander. "Son, help me! Xander is lying—he’s not thinking straight!"


    Xavier scoffed. "You’re the one who’s not thinking straight. But I believe the police station offers medical assistance for mentally derailed people like yourself." His tone was dry, void of emotion. "Take him away."


    The officers didn’t hesitate. They hauled Mr. Wace out of the mansion, dragging him towards the squad car as he yelled, cursed, and pleaded his innocence.


    With him gone, the tension in the room thickened.


    Xander went stiff. His lips parted as he turned to Xavier, but before he could utter a word—


    A punchnded straight on his nose.


    Blood dripped instantly.


    Xavier didn’t stop. He grabbed Xander by the cor and struck him again. Then again. Xander didn’t fight back. He didn’t even raise his arms to shield himself. He knew he deserved it.


    "Xavier! Stop! You’re going to kill your brother!" Their mother shrieked, but Samantha held her back.


    Xavier ignored them. He yanked Xander to his feet, his voice trembling with rage.


    "You have no idea how much I want to kill you right now." His fist tightened. "To make you go through everything you put Anastasia through. You don’t know—" He struck again.


    Xander barely remained standing. Blood coated his face, staining his shirt.


    "I’m sorry," he choked out, tears mixing with the crimson streaks on his cheeks. "I know there’s no way to fix what I’ve done. I was blinded by revenge. I didn’t see the real enemies were right in front of me."


    Xavier’s grip faltered.


    His fingers brushed against the gun hidden beneath his jacket. Every cell in his body screamed to pull it out. To put an end to this.


    But he couldn’t.


    He hated that he couldn’t.


    With a sharp exhale, he took a step back, watching Xander break down in regret.


    Before he could say anything, his phone buzzed.


    A bad feeling crept into his gut.


    He answered.


    "Mr. Wace," the officer’s voice came through the line. Xavier cringed at the name.


    "We’ve been ambushed. A few of my officers are dead and..." The officer hesitated.


    "And what?!" Xavier barked.


    "They took your father. He escaped."


    Xavier didn’t wait to hear more. He hung up and immediately dialed Anastasia.


    <i>Meanwhile...</i>


    Anastasia sat at her desk, fingers flying across the keyboard as she monitored her next target. So much had happened. Between Xavier discovering her identity and everything unraveling with the Waces, she hadn’t had time to continue her personal mission.


    Her phone rang.


    She almost ignored it—until she saw Xavier’s name.


    She answered immediately.


    "Ana, leave the house. Now."


    The urgency in his voice made her blood run cold.


    She shot to her feet, quickly throwing on a pair of jeans and a simple top. "What happened?"


    "My father escaped. I told him about you before he got away. There’s a good chance he’lle after you."


    She had barely stepped outside when she saw them.


    Bodies littered her doorstep. Her security team—dead.


    And standing before her, unfazed, was Bruce.


    Beside him, Mr. Wace smirked with a bloodied face and lips.


    Anastasia’s stomach churned with fear.


    Bruce tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "Aren’t you supposed to be Jennifer Reyez?" He scoffed. "I should have known. You appearing in our lives was suspicious enough."


    Anastasia didn’t respond.


    All of a sudden, she felt a sharp pain on her head. She tried to fight to keep her eyes open. She fell and thest thing she heard was <i>Pick her up </i>before she sumbed to darkness.