The tension in the air was palpable, an almost suffocating weight that pressed down on everyone in the estate. Viktor's men were on high alert, their eyes sharp and their weapons at the ready. They knew the time was near—Christoph would strike soon, and when he did, there would be no mercy.Liza paced in the bedroom she and Viktor now shared, her heart racing with every passing second. The promise Viktor had made to her replayed in her mind, the fear of what might happen eating away at her composure. She hated this feeling of helplessness, of being confined to the safety of the estate while Viktor was out there, putting himself in harm's way.She glanced out the window, the once serene view of the city now tainted with dread. In the distance, the lights of the city flickered like stars, but Liza could no longer find comfort in them. Every light felt like a beacon of danger, a reminder that Christoph was lurking out there, waiting to strike.A knock at the door startled her, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned to find Viktor standing in the doorway, his face a mix of exhaustion and determination."You're back," Liza breathed, her relief palpable as she rushed toward him.Viktor caught her in his arms, his hands gripping her tightly, as if reassuring himself that she was still there, still safe. His eyes searched hers for a moment before he leaned down, pressing a deep kiss to her lips, the intensity of it conveying all the emotions he couldn't put into words."I don't have long," Viktor murmured against her lips as they broke apart. "The men are in position, and we're moving soon."Liza's chest tightened. "Is it happening tonight?"Viktor nodded, his expression grave. "Christoph's already started making moves. My sources say he's planning something big, but we'll be ready for him."Fear flashed in Liza's eyes, but she forced herself to remain strong. "You're going after him, aren't you?"Viktor's jaw tightened, his hands cupping her face as he looked into her eyes. "I have to. This ends tonight. I won't let him get near you again."Liza swallowed hard, her heart aching at the thought of Viktor in the line of fire. But she knew there was no changing his mind. This was the only way to protect both of them, to put an end to the threat that had been looming over their lives."Just… come back to me," Liza whispered, her voice barely above a tremor. "Please, Viktor."Viktor's gaze softened, and he leaned down to kiss her once more, this time slower, more tender. "I will," he promised, his voice low and reassuring. "No matter what, I'll always come back to you."He pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around her as if he could shield her from all the danger in the world. For a moment, the rest of the world faded away, and it was just the two of them, their hearts beating in sync.But the moment was fleeting. Viktor pulled back, his expression hardening once more as he prepared to leave."I'll see you soon," Viktor said, his voice calm but filled with an underlying tension. He turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.Liza stood there for a long time, staring at the door, her hands still trembling from the intensity of the emotions that had passed between them. She knew that Viktor was a capable man, that he had survived far worse, but the fear gnawed at her relentlessly.The minutes dragged on as Liza waited, each second stretching out like an eternity. She tried to distract herself, but her mind kept drifting back to Viktor, wondering where he was, what he was doing, and if he was safe.Suddenly, the silence of the estate was shattered by the sound of gunfire.Liza's heart stopped, her body freezing in place as the sharp crack of bullets echoed through the halls. She rushed to the window, her eyes widening as she saw the flashes of gunfire coming from the far edge of the estate.The battle had begun.Her breath came in short, panicked gasps as she watched the chaos unfold below. Viktor's men were engaged in a fierce fight with Christoph's forces, the sounds of shouting and gunfire filling the air. The once peaceful estate had turned into a war zone, and Liza could do nothing but watch, helpless from her vantage point.She pressed her hands to the glass, her heart pounding in her chest as she searched the chaos for any sign of Viktor. But the shadows below made it impossible to distinguish one figure from another, and fear clawed at her chest.Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as the fight raged on, the sounds of gunfire growing louder with each passing minute. Liza's stomach churned with anxiety, her thoughts consumed by the possibility that something could happen to Viktor.And then, as suddenly as it had started, the gunfire stopped.The silence that followed was deafening, the absence of sound almost more terrifying than the chaos that had come before it.Liza's hands trembled as she stepped back from the window, her mind racing. She wanted to run down to find Viktor, to make sure he was safe, but something held her back—the fear that if she left this room, she might find out something she wasn't ready to face.A soft knock at the door made her jump, and she turned to see one of Viktor's men standing in the doorway, his face grim but composed."Miss Liza," he said quietly. "It's over. Viktor's asking for you."Relief washed over Liza, her legs nearly giving out as she nodded, following the man down the winding halls of the estate. The air was thick with tension, the lingering scent of gunpowder and smoke clinging to the air as they made their way to the main hall.When they finally reached the grand foyer, Liza's heart nearly stopped at the sight before her.Viktor stood at the center of the room, blood staining his shirt and a dark bruise forming on his cheek, but he was alive. He was breathing. And he was looking at her with that same intensity that made her heart race.Without thinking, Liza rushed toward him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she buried her face in his chest. Viktor's arms came around her, holding her tightly, and for a moment, nothing else mattered."You're okay," Liza breathed, her voice thick with emotion.Viktor's hand gently stroked her hair, his touch soothing. "I told you I'd come back to you," he murmured, his voice low and filled with affection.Liza pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, her hands cupping his face as she took in the sight of him, alive and well. "I was so scared," she admitted, her voice trembling."I know," Viktor said softly, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "But it's over now. Christoph's done."Liza's breath caught in her throat, the weight of his words sinking in. Christoph was gone. The man who had torn her life apart, who had threatened everything she held dear, was no longer a threat.Relief and disbelief flooded through her in equal measure, and she sagged against Viktor, her body finally allowing itself to release the tension it had been holding onto for so long."I couldn't have done this without you," Viktor whispered, his lips brushing against her temple. "You've given me something to fight for—someone worth fighting for."Liza looked up at him, her heart swelling with love for the man standing before her. He had been her protector, her anchor in the storm, and now, as the dust settled, she knew that he was so much more.He was her future.Viktor leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was filled with all the love, passion, and relief they both felt. The world around them melted away, and in that moment, Liza knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.Because in Viktor's arms, she had finally found her home.