The clock seemed louder that night.
Each second passing…
Heavier.
Slower.
More final.
Veronica was sitting, but not relaxed. Her entire body alert, as if she were ready to stand up at any moment.
Her phone in her hand.
Eyes fixed on the screen.
Waiting.
— It's going to happen — Daniel said, leaning against the wall.
— I know — she replied.
Leon was standing, looking at the map spread across the table.
— When that account moves… it'll be fast.
— How much time do we have? — Veronica asked.
— Minutes.
Silence fell.
Once again.
But now…
It was a waiting silence.
And then—
A vibration.
Daniel's phone.
He looked.
And his expression changed.
— Now.
Veronica's heart raced.
— Already?
— Transfer started.
Leon moved closer immediately.
— Destination?
Daniel turned the screen.
— Here.
A point on the map.
Farther out.
More isolated.
— That's not a company — Veronica said.
— No — Leon replied.
— That's a pickup point.
Silence fell.
But didn't last.
— Let's go — Veronica said.
The car took off fast.
No discussion.
No hesitation.
There was no room for that now.
The city blurred past the windows.
Lights.
Shadows.
Movement.
But inside the car…
Only focus.
— Do they know we can track it? — Veronica asked.
— Probably — Leon said.
— Then this could be—
— A trap — Daniel finished.
Silence answered.
— And we're going anyway — Veronica said.
No one disagreed.
The place was abandoned.
Or at least… it looked that way.
A warehouse.
Dim lights.
Gate partially open.
No visible movement.
But that…
Was never a sign of safety.
— It's here — Daniel said.
The car stopped.
The engine shut off.
And silence returned.
But this time…
Much heavier.
— Last chance — Leon said.
Veronica opened the door.
— That's already passed.
She stepped out.
Daniel right after.
Leon last.
The three of them walked toward the warehouse.
Each step…
More tense.
More real.
— There's someone inside — Daniel murmured.
— I know — Leon replied.
Veronica felt it.
Before she saw it.
That same sensation.
Again.
Being watched.
— This isn't right…
— It never was — Leon said.
They entered.
The sound of their footsteps echoing.
Still air.
Smell of metal.
And then—
— Took you long enough.
The voice.
In the middle of the warehouse.
The same man.
Again.
Always him.
As if he were everywhere.
— You knew — Veronica said.
— Of course.
He smiled slightly.
— That's part of the game.
— This isn't a game — Leon said.
— It is for you.
He looked at all three of them.
— For me… it's settlement.
— Where's the money? — Daniel asked.
Direct.
Impatient.
The man pointed to the side.
A bag.
Simple.
On the ground.
— There.
— Too easy — Leon said.
— Nothing here is easy.
Silence fell.
— Then why? — Veronica asked.
— Because you came.
She frowned.
— That doesn't answer anything.
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
— You still don't understand.
— Then explain — she said.
He stopped in front of her.
Too close.
— This isn't about the money.
Her heart tightened.
— Then what is it about?
He looked directly into her eyes.
And said:
— It's about you.
The world seemed to freeze.
— Me?
— Yes.
— Why?
His smile faded.
And his tone changed.
More serious.
More real.
— Because you're the only one who can stop this.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Confusing.
— Or continue it — he added.
— That doesn't make sense — Daniel said.
— It does.
— Then say it.
The man ignored him.
Kept looking at Veronica.
— Your father didn't finish what he started.
Her heart pounded.
— I'm not him.
— No.
He tilted his head.
— But you're in his place.
Silence held.
And then—
— That's a lie — Leon said.
— It's not.
— She has nothing to do with this.
— She has everything.
The air grew heavy.
Unbreathable.
— So all of this… — Veronica said — was to bring me here?
— Yes.
— And now?
He smiled slightly.
— Now you choose.
Silence fell.
Stronger than ever.
— Choose what?
— Continue the system…
The pause was deliberate.
— Or destroy it.
The world seemed to tilt.
— This can't be real…
— It can.
— I don't have that power.
— You do.
— How?
He answered simply:
— Because you are the key.
And then—
A sound.
Behind them.
Footsteps.
Leon turned first.
— We're not alone.
Veronica turned too.
Men.
Several.
Entering.
Surrounding.
— I told you this wasn't easy — the man said.
Daniel stepped in front of her.
— This is an ambush.
— This is inevitable — the man replied.
Her heart raced.
— You said I could choose!
— And you can.
— How?!
He looked at the men.
Then back at her.
— Survive… or not.
The tension exploded.
— Stay behind me — Leon said.
— No — Veronica said.
— This isn't the time—
— I'm not standing still!
Her gaze changed.
And both of them noticed.
She wasn't the same anymore.
— Enough — she said.
Her voice came out firm.
Stronger than before.
— This ends now.
Silence fell.
Even the men stopped for a second.
The man smiled.
— Then choose.
Her heart was pounding.
But her voice…
Came out clear:
— I'm not continuing this.
Silence held.
And then—
— Then you chose war.
And in that moment…
Everything exploded.