The night fell heavy over the city.
It wasn't just the dark sky or the cold wind moving through the trees in the mansion's garden. It was that unsettling feeling… like something was about to break.
Veronica felt it.
Ever since she hung up the phone with Daniel.
She was still in the office, leaning against the desk, staring at her phone as if expecting it to ring again.
But it didn't.
And somehow, that was worse.
— Are you really going to meet him? — Leon's voice came from behind her.
Veronica didn't turn right away.
— I said it would only be five minutes.
— Five minutes is enough for a lot of things.
She finally turned, crossing her arms.
— What do you think he's going to do? Kidnap me?
Leon didn't answer immediately.
And his silence was more unsettling than any answer.
— I think — he said at last — that he's not thinking clearly.
— He was never like this.
— People change.
— You've said that before.
Leon let out a quiet breath, as if trying not to turn it into an argument.
— Just… be careful.
Veronica slipped her phone into her pocket.
— I can take care of myself.
But deep down, she wasn't so sure.
The car stopped a few meters away from the mansion.
Not at the gate.
Not close enough to draw attention.
Daniel was leaning against the side of it, just like last time.
But something about him was different.
Maybe the tension in his shoulders.
Or the weight in his eyes.
Veronica walked toward him with steady steps, even as her heart started to race.
— Five minutes — she said before even reaching him.
Daniel gave a faint smile.
But it wasn't the same as before.
— You've always been direct.
— And you've always liked that.
Silence fell between them.
Brief.
But heavy with everything left unsaid.
— You're different — Daniel said.
— Funny… I was about to say the same.
He looked away for a second, running a hand through his hair.
— I didn't come here to fight.
— Then why did you come?
Daniel took a deep breath.
— To warn you.
Veronica expected that.
— Again?
— This isn't about Leon.
She frowned.
— Then what is it about?
He stepped closer.
— Someone is behind all of this.
Veronica froze.
— I know.
Daniel looked surprised.
— You do?
— Leon figured it out too.
— So you believe him now?
— I didn't say that.
His expression hardened slightly.
— You're on his side.
— I'm trying to understand what's going on.
— And you think he's not involved?
— I don't know!
Her voice came out louder than she expected.
Silence.
The wind passed between them, light… but enough to make everything feel sharper.
— I started this — Daniel said, more quietly now.
Veronica blinked.
— What?
— The contracts. Some of the pressure… that was me.
She already suspected it.
But hearing it out loud was different.
— Daniel…
— But this — he gestured around them, as if pointing to something invisible — what's happening now… it's not me.
A chill ran down her spine.
— Then who is it?
Daniel shook his head.
— I don't know yet.
— That doesn't help.
— I'm trying to find out.
She crossed her arms again.
— And why are you telling me this?
He looked straight at her.
Without hesitation.
— Because you're in the middle of it.
For a moment… everything went quiet.
As if the world itself had lowered the volume.
— I've always been — she said softly.
— Not like this.
— Then get me out of it — she shot back, without thinking.
Daniel stepped forward instantly.
— I will.
The answer came too fast.
Too easy.
Veronica noticed.
— It's not that simple.
— I'll make it simple.
— And then what?
He hesitated.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
— Then we'll figure it out.
She let out a small, humorless laugh.
— You always figure things out later.
— And you always walk away before trying.
That hit.
More than she wanted it to.
— I didn't walk away.
— You married another man in one day.
— I did it for my family!
— It's always about your family.
Silence fell again.
Heavier this time.
Veronica felt something tighten in her chest.
— You don't understand…
— Then explain it to me.
She opened her mouth.
But nothing came out.
Because maybe… she didn't even know how to explain it herself.
— Are you done?
Leon's voice cut through the moment.
Both of them turned.
He stood a few meters away.
Firm posture.
Steady gaze.
Veronica's heart started racing again.
— Leon—
— I thought five minutes would be enough.
Daniel let out a dry laugh.
— He came to pick you up?
— I don't need anyone to pick me up — Veronica replied.
But Leon's presence changed everything.
The tension.
The air.
Even the way Daniel stood.
— You're making things worse — Daniel said, looking at Leon.
— I could say the same.
— You think you can protect her?
— I don't think. I can.
Daniel stepped forward.
— Then protect your business first.
Leon didn't move.
— I already am.
— Doesn't look like it.
The silence between them was almost tangible.
Veronica looked from one to the other, feeling like things could spiral out of control at any second.
— Stop — she said.
Neither of them moved.
— I said stop.
This time, firmer.
Leon looked away first.
Daniel took a breath.
— You should listen to him — Daniel said, but his eyes stayed on Leon. — Because when all of this falls apart…
He paused.
— I won't be there to catch you.
Veronica felt the weight of those words.
— You never were — she replied quietly.
Daniel went still.
That hit.
It showed.
He opened the car door.
— This isn't over.
He got in.
And drove away.
This time, without looking back.
The walk back to the house was silent.
Veronica walked a few steps ahead of Leon, trying to organize her thoughts.
But it was useless.
Everything felt tangled.
When she stepped inside, she stopped in the middle of the living room.
— This is getting out of control.
Leon closed the door behind them.
— It already is.
She turned to him.
— He's not behind everything.
— I know.
— Then why do you act like you're on opposite sides of a war?
Leon stayed quiet for a moment.
— Because we are.
— No — she shook her head. — We're not.
— Are you sure?
She hesitated.
And that… was already an answer.
Leon stepped closer.
— Veronica… this isn't just about you anymore.
— I know.
— It's about whoever is pulling the strings.
— And what if that's exactly what they want? — she said. — To put both of you against each other?
Leon didn't answer.
But something in his expression shifted.
— Then we can't fall into that trap — she continued.
— Do you think it's not too late for that?
She looked at him.
Really looked at him.
— I don't know.
Silence again.
But this time… it wasn't just tension.
There was something else.
Closer.
I want to read every theory.
Real.
Dangerous.
— Do you trust me? — Leon asked.
Veronica took a moment before answering.
But she didn't look away.
— I'm starting to.
And that…
That changed everything.
Because for the first time…
It wasn't just a contract anymore.