The world had found a moment of peace, but peace was always delicate.
Ariella filled her days with preparations for motherhood, cherishing the excitement of starting a new life with Leo. Yet, the memory of Gabby's call haunted her like a shadow. A woman like me never stays down for long.
Weeks had passed since that call, and still, there was no sign of Gabby. No updates, no rumors, no unexpected scandals—nothing.
This silence frightened Ariella more than anything else. Because silence meant Gabby was up to something.
An Unwelcome Delivery
Ariella stood in the nursery, her fingers gliding over the edge of the crib Leo had crafted. The room glowed with soft morning light, shades of blue and cream creating a calm atmosphere.
She smiled to herself. In just a few weeks, her son would arrive.
Her heart filled with joy, but before she could fully enjoy the moment, a knock at the front door broke the tranquility.
Ariella frowned, checking the clock. It was too early for guests.
She walked downstairs and opened the door slowly, only to find a small package on the porch.
There was no return address.
No sender.
Ariella's heart raced. A shiver ran down her spine.
Something felt off.
She hesitated before picking it up and bringing it inside. Leo entered, his gaze immediately catching her tense stance.
"What's wrong?"
Ariella placed the package on the kitchen counter. "This was on the doorstep."
Leo's expression hardened. "Did you see anyone?"
She shook her head. "No. But something about it…" She sighed. "It feels wrong."
Leo took a knife, carefully cutting through the tape before lifting the lid.
Ariella gasped.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
Two words, written in bold, sharp ink.
Checkmate, sweetheart.
And below it… Ariella's blood ran cold.
A photo—a blurry, close-up image of her, taken just days ago.
Not on her backyard or front pouch.
Not even in public.
But through the nursery window.
Ariella felt a wave of nausea. She stepped back, placing a hand on her stomach protectively.
Leo's face darkened, his hands balling into fists.
"She's watching us," Ariella said softly, her voice shaking.
Leo took out his phone. "We need to call security. We have to boost our protection—"
Ariella shook her head fiercely. "Leo, this is more than just security. Gabby sent someone to spy on us. They got close enough to snap a picture."
Leo's body stiffened, his jaw tight with barely contained anger. "She's playing her final game. And she thinks she can still win."
Ariella balled her fists. "Then it's time we stop playing defense."
Because if Gabby wanted a fight… Ariella was ready to give it to her. It's time to track the Serpent
Leo acted quickly. In just a few hours, his team found out where the package came from.
The delivery was made in cash, which makes it impossible to trace. But the security footage is a different matter.
Ariella and Leo sat in front of a big screen, watching the video on repeat.
And there—clear as day—was a man dropping off the package.
A stranger. Dressed in black, with a cap pulled low over his face.
Ariella squinted. "Who is he?"
Carter, Leo's security chief, spoke up. "We're checking facial recognition, but he doesn't match any of Gabby's known contacts."
Ariella felt uneasy. "She has new people working for her."
Leo squeezed her hand. "Then we track them down. And we end this."
After a few tense moments, Carter's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and then at them.
"We have a match."
Leo and Ariella leaned in closer.
Carter turned the screen toward them. "His name is Ethan Marsh. Ex-military. Kicked out of his unit under suspicious circumstances. Worked in private security for years… until he vanished."
Ariella frowned. "And now he's working for Gabby?"
Carter nodded. "Most likely."
Ariella felt her heart race.
Leo's voice was icy and menacing. "Find him."
Carter nodded sharply and exited the room.
Ariella faced Leo, anxiety tightening her chest. "Leo… we don't know how far she'll go."
Leo's gaze was intense and serious. "That's why we need to stop her before she acts."
Ariella swallowed hard but agreed with a nod.
This was no longer just about them. It was about protecting their son.
And she would do anything to keep him safe.
Two nights later, Leo's team located Ethan Marsh.
Ariella and Leo arrived at the isolated warehouse where Carter's men had him held. The atmosphere was thick with tension as they entered.
Ethan was seated, his wrists tied, his face expressionless.
Leo's demeanor was cold and unreadable. "Where's Gabby?"
Ethan smirked. "Do you really think she'd be foolish enough to tell me?"
Ariella interjected sharply. "She sent you to spy on us."
Ethan glanced at her. "I was just doing my job."
Leo leaned closer, his voice low and threatening. "Your job ends tonight."
Ethan met his stare. "You don't scare me."
Leo smirked. "Then you're a fool."
Ariella stepped forward, her voice calm. "Gabby sent you to unsettle us. To instill fear." She tilted her head. "But what do you think happens when Gabby loses? Because she will lose."
Ethan's smirk faded.
Ariella narrowed her eyes. "How much do you think she values you? Enough to save you when everything collapses?"
Silence filled the room.
Then—a hint of doubt appeared.
Leo seized the moment. "She'll abandon you the second it's necessary."
Ethan's jaw clenched.
Leo continued. "Do you really want to be on the losing side of this?"
A long pause followed.
Finally, Ethan sighed. "She's on the move," he confessed. "She's not staying put for long in a particular location."
Ariella's heart raced. "Where precisely is she now?"
Ethan paused for a moment. Then—
"There's a safe house. A cabin upstate."
Leo shared a look with Ariella.
They had her.
At last.
Leo straightened, nodding to Carter. "Make sure he stays off the grid."
Carter nodded, stepping forward to deal with Ethan
Leo faced Ariella, determination in his eyes.
"It's time," he whispered.
Ariella inhaled deeply. "To finish this."
With that, they stepped into the night—prepared for the ultimate fight.