Kace exhaled, rolling his shoulders back with a slight groan. "And that’s thest of it," he muttered, stretching his arms high above his head to ease the stiffness built up from hours of tension. "God, I thought this day would never end."


    The convoy began moving slowly, nked by armed security and Xavier’s most trusted men. The route was long and rough, and with most of the women heavily pregnant, extra care had to be taken. The journey to the airport was taxing, and from there, it would be another long flight to Regalith. But it would be worth it. For the first time, these women were going somewhere safe.


    "Start it up," Xavier ordered.


    The rest of the men remaining opened the gallons of fuel and went inside.


    Anastasia and Xavier followed behind them, Anastasia holding him dearly as they went into one of the empty mansions.


    "I’m sure this ce must hold several memories for those women," she said, looking at the TV, couch, and chandeliers.


    Xavier didn’t want anything that was from the baby factory to follow the women to Regalith even though they were some simplest objects.


    "They’re going to a better ce where they will make as many memories as they want. They won’t be tortured and they will be allowed to live however they want," he said, holding her close.


    Anastasia nodded. She still couldn’t believe it. After burning the baby factory, it was over.


    Xander and Samantha would go to jail and their happily ever after would beplete.


    Xavier looked behind them and found Xander and Samantha trailing behind them. Something shed in his eyes before he turned back.


    Fortunately, the baby factory was in a secluded area in Xattlewood, so the smoke wouldn’t disturb anyone.


    Outside, Tracie was standing beside Julian.


    "You and that friend of yours have been making eye contact like ex-lovers that didn’t end things on a good term. Why don’t you go and say something to him?" She asked, half ring at him.


    Julian’s eyebrows furrowed, analyzing what she just said. "Ex-lovers?"


    "Well, what can I say?"


    Julian stared down at her. It’s been a while since hest saw her, and he noticed the way her face was glowing. She’d lost a little weight because he could practically hold her corbone for dear life if he was hanging down a tree.


    "And what has been stressing you outtely?" He asked, suddenly interested.


    "Nothing serious. Fiona’s husband ended up in jail some time ago and she’s not taking that news well. It seems she still loves him even after the way he treated her," she huffed. "She hasn’t fully recovered yet, but she’s stressing over him more than her health. Is this how people in love act?" Her arms were folded around her chest, deeply wondering. "It’s stupid."


    "Love is stupid," Julian said quietly. "Stupider than you’d think. You can lose someone, go years without them, and still feel like they’re in your chest every damn day. Even if they hurt you, betrayed you... You remember who they used to be, and that makes moving on harder. Fiona hasn’t had time to let go. A month isn’t long enough to unlove someone."


    He looked down at Tracie and found her giving him a weird look with her eyebrows cocked up.


    "Well, she’d better get over it as soon as possible before her health starts to deteriorate even more," she snapped, ncing around the huge field.


    "You know for someone who has a sharp tongue, you sure care about Fiona, considering the both of you aren’t even friends."


    Tracie rolled her eyes. "I don’t need to be friends with Fiona to help her. She’s also a person, and unlike you, I don’t sit and wait around and let people suffer. I’m not a coward." She spat.


    If Julian was hurt by her words, he didn’t show it. His expression was unreadable.


    "You two are arguing again," Alex stated from the other side. "My goodness," he shook his head like a parent who’s had enough of his children pulling each other’s hair.


    Tracie simply scoffed and walked away, however, two vehicles from a distance caught her eye.


    Two vehicles were barreling toward the factory at high speed. Rusted, dented, andpletely out of ce—they weren’t part of Xavier’s transport fleet. Worse, armed men clung to the sides, guns in hand, eyes scanning the field like predators closing in.


    Tracie’s gaze locked on the lead car—and there, in the front seat, was Mr. Wace, his face twisted with grim determination.


    A slow, deadly smirk curled her lips. In one fluid motion, she reached behind her back, drew her gun, and fired.


    Three shots. Three bodies dropped.


    "Everyone, TAKE COVER!!" she screamed, her voice slicing through the air like a siren.


    Chaos exploded in an instant.