The early morning air was crisp, a stark contrast to the heavy tension that hung between Erik and Viktor as they stood in the garden. The dim light of dawn filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground—shadows that seemed to reflect the danger and deceit lurking in their confrontation.Erik's heart raced, his muscles tensing as Viktor's words echoed in his ears: You've already lost, Erik. You just don't know it yet.For a moment, the silence between them was suffocating. Viktor's eyes, cold and calculating, never wavered from Erik's, as though daring him to make the first move. Erik's hand lingered near the concealed blade at his side, but he knew this was a battle that wouldn't be won with brute force. This was a game of wits, a deadly dance of strategy and manipulation."How long have you been planning this?" Erik asked, his voice steady despite the chaos brewing inside him.Viktor's smile was slow, cruel. "Planning what, exactly? Securing our interests in Aruna? Ensuring you don't go soft over some pretty little idealist?"Erik's jaw clenched. He hated how Viktor spoke about Aiko, as if she were just another pawn in their game. But Viktor didn't see people—only tools to be used or obstacles to be removed."You don't need to involve her," Erik said, his voice low. "The hospital isn't a threat to Nordhaven's interests. We can use it, manipulate the outcome without destroying it."Viktor chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You still don't get it, do you? It's not about the hospital. It's about control. The moment you let this woman—Aiko—get inside your head, you lost control of the mission. And now, the moment's passed. You're compromised, Erik."Erik's mind raced, trying to buy himself time, to figure out how to twist Viktor's words to his advantage. He couldn't show weakness, not now. Not when Viktor had already seen cracks in his armor."What's the play, Viktor?" Erik asked, his voice sharper now. "You take me out, and then what? You think you can walk into Aruna and finish what I started without anyone noticing? You'd be burned before you even set foot in the city."Viktor's smile faltered, just for a second. Erik saw it—the tiniest crack in his composure. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Viktor knew that Erik wasn't wrong. Aruna was a complex web of politics, alliances, and betrayals, and one false move could unravel everything."You've always underestimated me, Viktor," Erik continued, his voice gaining confidence. "You think I've gone soft because of her, but the truth is, I'm the only one who can finish this mission without it blowing up in our faces. You might want control, but all you'll get is chaos if you don't let me handle it my way."Viktor's expression hardened, the amusement in his eyes replaced by something far more dangerous. "I didn't come here to negotiate with you, Erik. I came here to remind you who you're working for."Before Erik could react, Viktor moved, lightning-quick, closing the distance between them in a flash. Erik's hand darted to his blade, but Viktor was faster. He grabbed Erik by the collar, slamming him against the wall of the guesthouse with a force that sent pain shooting through his ribs.Erik gritted his teeth, refusing to show weakness. Viktor's face was inches from his, his breath hot and sharp as he spoke in a low, menacing tone. "You don't make the decisions here. Nordhaven does. And you'd do well to remember that before you end up like the others who thought they could outsmart me."For a moment, Erik's vision swam from the pain in his side, but he forced himself to stay calm, to focus. Viktor wanted to break him, to make him submit, but Erik wasn't that man anymore. He wouldn't be controlled—not by Viktor, not by anyone."I haven't forgotten," Erik ground out, his voice strained. "But if you think you can finish this mission without me, you're wrong. I've got contacts, alliances you don't even know about. You take me out, and Nordhaven loses everything we've built here."Viktor's grip tightened for a moment, his eyes searching Erik's, calculating. Then, slowly, he released him, stepping back. Erik exhaled sharply, his body aching from the impact, but he stood his ground, refusing to back down."You've got one last chance," Viktor said, his voice cold and unfeeling. "Get this mission back on track. I'll be watching closely. And if you fail..." He let the words hang in the air, the unspoken threat clear.Without another word, Viktor turned and walked away, disappearing into the early morning mist. Erik watched him go, his mind racing, his heart pounding. He had bought himself time—but how much?As the adrenaline began to fade, Erik sagged against the wall, his body trembling from the pain. He had survived the encounter, but barely. Viktor wasn't playing games anymore, and Erik knew that his every move would be under scrutiny from now on.He had to act quickly. The mission needed to be completed, but not at the expense of Aiko or the hospital. He couldn't let Viktor destroy everything.Inside Aiko's bedroom, Aiko stirred in her sleep, the faint sound of movement outside reaching her ears. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked, disoriented for a moment. But then the memory of the kidnapping attempt, the fight, and Erik's wounds came flooding back.She sat up quickly, her heart pounding. "Erik?" she called softly, glancing around the room. Walking out slowly of her bed, she looked toward the window checking the sight of the guest house.Erik was standing by the door, his back to her, his shoulders tense debating if he should go back in. She could sense the tension in the air, the weight of something unspoken lingering between them.Unwilling to wait any longer, Aiko strode toward the guest house. Seeing Erik's back from a distance she shouted quietly.
"Erik, is everything alright?" Aiko asked, her voice laced with concern.
He turned slowly, his face a mask of calm, but Aiko could see the shadows in his eyes. "I'm fine," he said, though his voice was tight. "Just... thinking."Aiko frowned, her instincts telling her that something was wrong. She stood and crossed the carp pound bridge to him, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "You don't have to carry everything alone, Erik. If something's wrong, you can tell me."Erik looked down at her, his expression softening for a brief moment. He wanted to tell her everything, to lay bare the truth about his mission, about Viktor, about the danger they were both in. But how could he?She had already been through so much—her family's betrayal, the sabotage of her hospital. If she knew the full extent of the danger, it might break her.Instead, Erik forced a smile and cupped her face gently. "I'm just tired," he lied, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "We've been through a lot, and there's more to come. But we'll get through it. Together."Aiko leaned into his touch, her heart swelling with emotion. "I trust you, Erik," she whispered. "Whatever happens, I'm with you."Her words cut through Erik like a blade. She trusted him, and yet, he was keeping secrets—dangerous secrets that could destroy everything between them.But for now, he would protect her, no matter the cost. Even if it meant walking a fine line between duty and love, between loyalty and betrayal.Later that day, Erik sat in the estate's study, papers scattered in front of him as he reviewed everything he had gathered about the mission. There was only one way forward—he had to expose Nordhaven's plans in a way that wouldn't directly tie back to him. He would need to manipulate the information, feed it to the right people in Aruna's government, and make it look like a third party was behind it all.It was risky, but it was the only way to protect Aiko and complete his mission without letting Viktor's methods wreak havoc.As he worked through his plan, the door to the study creaked open, and Haruto, Aiko's father, stepped inside. Erik straightened, his body tense. He hadn't spoken much to Haruto since the kidnapping attempt, but he knew the man was wary of him.Haruto's gaze was sharp as he approached the desk. "I trust you're recovering, Winterhart," he said, his voice formal but laced with suspicion.Erik nodded, though he remained guarded. "I am, thanks to your daughter."Haruto's eyes narrowed slightly. "Aiko trusts you. But I'm not so sure I do."Erik met his gaze evenly. "I understand your hesitation. But everything I've done has been to protect Aiko and her vision for the hospital."Haruto remained silent for a long moment, his eyes studying Erik with a calculating gaze. Then, finally, he spoke. "I don't know your full story, Winterhart, but I do know one thing—if you ever hurt my daughter, there won't be a place in this world where you can hide."Erik didn't flinch, though the warning was clear. "I would never hurt her."Haruto gave a curt nod, though his expression remained skeptical. "We'll see."As the day wore on and Erik continued to finalize his plan, a shadow loomed in the back of his mind—Viktor's words, his threats, and the ticking clock that would soon run out.But for now, Erik had one goal: keep Aiko safe. No matter the cost.Later that evening, as Erik prepared to set his plan into motion, a note was slipped under the door to his study. The handwriting was familiar—Viktor's."Time's up. Watch your back."