CHAPTER ELEVEN.
THE INVITATION.
The gift didn't last long as peace, The moment broke with the sound, a knock, sharp and Unexpected. Both of them froze. Adrian's expression changed instantly, alert, focused. "Stay here," She said. Lena Shook her head, "No." But didn't argue further, Not this time. Adrian moved towards the door carefully. Every step controlled every movement deliberate. He open it slowly. No one . Just a single envelope on the ground, Adrian stare at it. Then bent down and picked it up Lena moved closer. "What is it?" He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he opened it, inside There was a card black and minimal. Adrian read it silently, then his expression darkened. "What does it say?" Lena asked. He handed it to her. She read it. "You're invited." Her chest tightened. Below it an address and a time. Her voice dropped. "This is him." Adrian nodded, "yes." Lena looked up. "An invitation to what?" Adrian's eyes hardened. "A game." Silence heavy unavoidable. "He want us to go," Lena said. "Yes ." "And if we don't?" Adrian didn't answer immediately. Because they both already knew. "He won't stop Lena whispered. Adrian stepped closer. "That's why this is dangerous." Lena held her gaze . "So is ignoring it the option." Another pause "you're not going," Adrian said. Her expression didn't change. "Yes,I am." "Lena.." "I'm already involved." His voice tightened. "That doesn't mean you walk into it." She stepped closer, "you're not walking into it alone." The tension arose again. "You don't understand what he's doing," Adrian said. "I do," she replied. "He's trying to control us." A pause, then. "And I'm not letting him." Adrian looked at her , "really?" looked this time it'll be different, we will work as a team. "You're serious." "Yes." Another silence then Adrian exhaled slowly. "This could go very wrong." Lena's voice softened. "Or it could be our chance to end it." Their eyes met. Fear, hope and uncertainty. And something stronger beneath it all. Adrian reached for her hand again. This time, he didn't hesitate. "If we do this." He said quietly. "We do it together." Lena finished. A faint , almost reluctant smile appeared on his face. "Together." But somewhere hidden, Victor was watching. Victor leaned back in his chair, a smile forming. "They accepted," he murmured. His eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "Perfect." Because this wasn't just an invitation, it was a setup. And this time we are walking in it willingly.