The danger was never outside.
It had never been.
It lived in the bloodline
—AURÉLIE—
The suite was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Aurélie stood by the glass wall, the city stretching endlessly beneath her.
Her reflection stared back—composed, flawless, controlled.
A lie.
Her fingers brushed lightly against her shoulder.
As if she could still feel it—
That moment.
Calculated.
Precise.
And yet…
Too perfect.
She exhaled slowly.
Was it a strategy?
Or something else?
Her lips curved faintly.
If he was pulling her back in—
Then she was already winning.
She changed without hesitation.
Red.
Sharp.
Unforgettable.
Because if Mikhail Dragunov returned—
She intended to ensure he wouldn't leave again.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
"Speak."
A pause.
Then—
A voice.
Cold.
Familiar.
"Aurélie."
She stilled.
Just slightly.
"Pakhan."
A low chuckle echoed through the line.
"I have a video of you and my son."
A pause.
Measured.
"Are you finally back where you belong?"
Aurélie didn't hesitate.
Didn't falter.
"Yes."
The lie came easily.
Smooth.
Convincing.
"Good," he murmured.
"I approve."
The line cut.
Aurélie lowered the phone slowly.
Her expression didn't change.
But her thoughts—
Shifted.
Because approval from a man like him—
It was never a gift.
It was a big, big move.
— THE ESTATE—
Maria didn't slow down.
She didn't hesitate.
She turned the corner—
And collided with him.
Mikhail didn't step back.
Of course, he didn't.
"You don't get to control me," she said immediately.
Her voice sharp.
Unyielding.
"I am not your puppet."
Silence stretched between them.
Tight.
Volatile.
"Then stop acting like one."
That hit.
Maria's eyes flashed.
But she didn't retreat.
"Treat me like an equal."
That—
shifted something.
Mikhail's gaze sharpened.
Not anger.
Not irritation.
Recognition.
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Purposeful.
"I am protecting you," he said quietly.
A pause.
His voice dropped.
"From wolves you don't even see yet."
Maria held his gaze.
Unblinking.
"Then let me see them."
A beat.
Her voice softened—
but not weakened.
"Why are there so many secrets, Mikhail?"
Silence.
Heavy.
"Are they that dark?"
Another step closer.
"…or are they tied to something else?"
A pause.
"Something people don't want to give up."
Mikhail didn't answer immediately.
When he did—
His voice was lower.
Colder.
More honest than before.
"Yes."
A beat.
"The darkest things…"
His gaze locked onto hers.
"…are the ones people refuse to let go of."
The air shifted.
He moved slowly around her.
Not touching.
But close enough—
to change everything.
"You want answers," he murmured.
Behind her now.
"But answers come with consequences."
Maria's breath caught.
Just slightly.
"Then I'll face them."
Mikhail stopped.
Close.
Too close.
"You say that now."
A pause.
"But you don't know what it will cost you."
Silence.
Then—
His phone vibrated.
The moment broke.
He stepped back.
Already answering.
"Yes."
A pause.
His expression didn't change.
But his eyes did.
"Are you certain?"
Another pause.
"Find him."
The call ended.
Maria watched him.
"What is it?"
Silence.
Then—
Mikhail looked at her.
Fully.
"This wasn't external."
A beat.
"The attacker…"
His voice dropped.
"…came from inside the family."
Everything stopped.
Because that—
changed the rules.
Changed the war.
Changed everything.
—ENDING—
Mikhail turned away slightly.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Because now—
He knew.
The enemy wasn't outside.
It was inside the bloodline.
And that made it worse.
Because enemies outside could be hunted.
Enemies inside—
had to be destroyed carefully.
His gaze darkened.
Slowly.
——
Because whoever sent that attack—
had just made a mistake.
They didn't just target Maria.
They exposed themselves.
And now—
The frost predator knew where to look.