Mia's heart skipped a beat as Anton emerged from the shadows, his tall figure cutting a sharp silhouette against the dim lights of the dock. His presence sent a wave of confusion and disbelief crashing over her. How could it be him? The man she had once shared everything with, the man she thought she had left behind—now he was standing before her, a cold smile playing on his lips.
For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. The sound of the waves crashing against the dock faded into a dull roar in the background, and Mia's mind raced to comprehend the situation. How long had Anton been involved in this twisted game? Had he been watching her all this time, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal himself?
"Mia," Anton said again, his voice carrying the weight of years spent in shadows. "I didn't think you'd come this far. But I should have known. You've always been too stubborn for your own good."
Her throat tightened, and she could feel the heat of betrayal rising within her. "Anton," she whispered, unable to mask the sting in her voice. "Why? Why are you doing this?"
Anton's grin widened, but there was no warmth behind it. Only a cold, calculating look in his eyes. "You've always been so naïve, Mia. Always thinking you could play in the world of power without understanding the rules. But you don't get it, do you? You never have."
Leo stepped forward, his body tense, his hand resting protectively on Mia's shoulder. "Stay away from her, Anton," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "This is your last chance to walk away before things get worse for you."
But Anton didn't even flinch. Instead, he took a step closer, his gaze shifting from Leo to Mia. "You think you can stop me? You think you can stop Sophie? You're all just pawns in a game you don't even understand."
Mia took a deep breath, forcing herself to stand tall. "You're working for Sophie, aren't you? You've been helping her this entire time. All of this—everything—was part of her plan."
Anton chuckled, his eyes glinting with something darker. "Not just for Sophie, Mia. I have my own reasons for doing what I do. And they've always been about power. Power you'll never have, no matter how hard you fight."
She clenched her fists, the weight of his words settling deep in her gut. "You've betrayed everyone, Anton. Everyone who trusted you. I trusted you."
His expression faltered for just a moment, but then the cold smile returned. "Trust is a luxury you can't afford in this world, Mia. You should have learned that by now."
Mia's heart was racing, the anger inside her rising like a tidal wave. She had never imagined that Anton, the man she had once loved, could be so utterly consumed by his thirst for power. It was like staring at a stranger, someone unrecognizable, a man who had chosen the wrong side. Her side.
"You've lost everything, Anton," Mia said, her voice steady despite the tremor of emotion inside her. "Your humanity, your integrity. And for what? For a few pieces of power that will only end in ruin?"
Anton's eyes hardened. "You still don't get it, do you? This isn't about power. It's about control. And I've learned how to control everything. I have the power to make or break people. And right now, I'm choosing to break you."
Mia felt a chill wash over her, but she stood her ground. She couldn't let him manipulate her with his words. Not anymore.
Rachael, who had been standing in the background, stepped forward. "Mia, we can't keep doing this. Anton's right about one thing—we've all underestimated the situation. Sophie's deeper into this than we thought. We need to work together if we want to have any chance of stopping her."
Mia glanced at Rachael, her mind a storm of conflicting thoughts. Rachael's presence here, after everything that had happened, felt like a fragile lifeline. But could she really trust her? Could she trust anyone at this point?
"Is that what you've been telling yourself, Rachael?" Anton's voice cut through the silence. "That you're trying to make amends? You think I didn't see you when you thought you were safe? You were always a tool, just like Mia. And now you're trying to play the hero? It's pathetic."
Mia's fists clenched at her sides, but before she could respond, Leo spoke up. "Enough, Anton. We've had enough of your games. If you think you can intimidate us into backing down, you're wrong. We're not afraid of you."
Anton's eyes flickered with annoyance, but his smirk remained. "You'll be afraid soon enough. But don't worry, Mia. I'll make sure you understand everything before it's over."
The tension in the air was thick, the threat of violence looming over them like a storm cloud. Mia could feel it in her bones—the inevitability of the confrontation. Sophie's network had grown, and Anton was one of the many pieces she had used to keep control. But now that he was here, standing before them, Mia understood something that had eluded her for so long. This wasn't just about Sophie. It was about Anton's personal ambitions, his own need for control, and Mia had become collateral damage in his twisted game.
She glanced at Leo, who stood by her side, unwavering. This wasn't just a battle for power anymore. It was a battle for survival, and Mia knew that if she didn't act now, she might lose everything.
"We're not backing down," Mia said, her voice steady and firm. "This ends tonight. You don't control me, Anton. Not anymore."
For a moment, Anton's eyes flashed with something dangerous, a flicker of rage that sent a shiver down her spine. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating smile.
"Then you'll have to face the consequences of your choices," Anton said, his voice low and venomous. "But don't worry. You won't have to wait long to see what happens next."
Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Mia and Leo standing on the edge of the dock, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.
Mia's breath came in shallow gasps, but she forced herself to steady her nerves. The battle was far from over, and Anton's betrayal was just the beginning of a much darker road. But Mia was ready. She had no choice but to be.