The next few weeks passed in a haze of strategy meetings, clandestine conversations, and whispered secrets. Liza found herself immersed in the world Viktor had dragged her into—the world of power plays and manipulations, where alliances were made in the dark and every move had to be calculated with precision.
Though Christoph remained the center of her vengeance, there were others to contend with—figures who lingered in the shadows, waiting for the moment to strike. Viktor guided her through the complexities, his mind sharp and ruthless, while his touch—when it came—was always gentle, always protective.
Yet, in the quiet hours of the night, when the city seemed to sleep, Liza would lie awake, thoughts tumbling through her mind. Her heart was at war with itself, torn between the undeniable pull she felt toward Viktor and the fear of losing herself in the process.
One evening, she found herself standing on the balcony of Viktor's penthouse, overlooking the city. The wind was cool against her skin, but her thoughts were turbulent. She had made significant strides in uncovering Christoph's dirty dealings—thanks to Viktor's endless supply of information—but the question of what to do with it all lingered.
Viktor appeared behind her, his footsteps barely audible. "You're thinking too much again," he said, his voice soft but firm.
"I can't help it," she replied without turning. "Every time we get closer, I feel like something else is slipping away."
Viktor came to stand beside her, his blue eyes studying her face. "That's the cost of revenge, Liza. You have to give up parts of yourself to succeed."
Her gaze dropped to the street below, the headlights of passing cars nothing but streaks of light. "But what if I don't want to lose who I am? What if I can't balance both—revenge and… whatever this is between us?"
Viktor was silent for a moment, and she wondered if he would evade the question like he always did when emotions surfaced. But this time, he surprised her.
"You don't have to choose," he said quietly. "You can have both. But it will require strength. More than you think you have."
Liza turned to him, searching his face for some semblance of understanding. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I see it in you. You're stronger than you know." His hand reached out to cup her chin, lifting her face to meet his eyes. "And I've never been wrong about people."
For a moment, the world seemed to still, and all she could focus on was the warmth of his touch, the intensity in his eyes. The tension between them was thick, an electric current humming just beneath the surface. She had spent weeks trying to ignore it, trying to focus on their mission, but in that moment, the walls she had built began to crumble.
Before she could stop herself, she leaned into him, her lips brushing against his. It was tentative at first, as if testing the waters, but Viktor responded almost immediately. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close, and the kiss deepened, fueled by the passion they had been suppressing for so long.
It was both overwhelming and freeing, a release of the emotions that had been building between them. Liza could feel her heart pounding in her chest as their kiss intensified, her body molding against his as if they were made for each other. For that moment, nothing else mattered—not Christoph, not revenge, not the dangers lurking in the shadows.
When they finally pulled away, breathless and flushed, Viktor's hand lingered on her waist. "You don't have to be afraid, Liza," he whispered against her lips. "I'll protect you. Always."
The words sent a shiver down her spine, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe them. Maybe she didn't have to face this battle alone. Maybe, just maybe, she could let Viktor in without losing herself in the process.
---
The following day, Liza found herself back at Christoph's office. She had arranged a meeting under the pretense of discussing one of their mutual projects, but in reality, it was a reconnaissance mission. She needed more information—something that could definitively bring him down.
Christoph welcomed her with open arms, his smile as charming as ever, but Liza could see through the facade now. She had once been blinded by his charisma, by the easy way he spoke and made her feel special. Now, she saw the cracks in his veneer—the manipulation, the lies.
As they sat across from each other in his lavish office, Liza's mind raced, trying to balance her act. She played the part of the cooperative ex-fiancée, nodding and agreeing with his business plans, while secretly recording every word he said.
Christoph leaned back in his chair, his gaze appraising her. "You've been busy lately," he remarked, his tone casual but probing.
Liza forced a smile. "Just trying to make the most of my opportunities."
"And Viktor? How's it working with him?"
Her pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral. "It's been a good learning experience."
Christoph's smile faltered, a flicker of something darker flashing in his eyes. "Be careful, Liza. Men like Viktor… they don't give without expecting something in return."
"I'm not naïve, Christoph," she replied smoothly. "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk as he studied her intently. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're playing with fire. And fire has a way of burning everything around it."
Liza's heart raced, but she didn't back down. "I can handle the heat."
Christoph's lips curved into a smirk, but there was no humor in it. "We'll see."
As she left his office, Liza couldn't shake the feeling that Christoph was onto her. The way he had spoken, the thinly veiled threats—it all pointed to one thing: the game was intensifying, and the stakes were higher than ever.
But Liza was no longer the vulnerable woman who had been betrayed. She had Viktor by her side, and she was ready to face whatever came next.
As she stepped into the cool afternoon air, her phone buzzed with a text from Viktor.
*Meet me at the safe house. We have a lead.*
Her heart skipped a beat. This was it—the next step in their plan. And she was ready to face it head-on, no matter how dangerous the path ahead became.