Tension filled the air as Ariella and Leo sat in the black SUV, their eyes fixed on the road ahead.
The headlights pierced through the thick forest, lighting the winding path to Gabby's last hideout—a remote cabin deep in the mountains.
For months, Gabby had been elusive, striking from the shadows and playing her games from afar. But now?
It was time to confront her.
Leo gripped the steering wheel tightly. "Are you sure you want to do this?" His voice was calm but showed his worry.
Ariella placed a hand protectively on her belly, her heart steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I have to see this through, Leo."
His jaw tightened. "She's dangerous."
Ariella held his gaze. "So am I."
Leo took a deep breath and nodded. "Then, we finish this tonight."
Ariella's heart raced as they turned onto a dirt road. The cabin appeared—a dark shape against the tall pine trees.
Lights shone from within the cabin.
Gabby was there and she was waiting.
Leo turned off the engine, and the SUV rolled to a quiet stop a few yards away. The night felt creepy and still. No sounds. No movement. Just the strange glow from the cabin's windows.
Carter and his team moved in first, guns ready as they spread out to check the area.
Leo looked at Ariella. "Stay close to me."
Ariella nodded.
They approached the cabin together, the wooden steps creaking under their feet. Leo reached for the door handle and tested it.
It was unlocked.
Ariella felt a knot in her stomach.
Gabby was waiting for them.
Leo pushed the door open.
The living room was pristine, as if prepared for guests—candles flickered on the table, an untouched glass of wine sat beside an open book and the air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers.
There, elegantly seated in a plush armchair, was Gabby.
Wearing a sleek black dress, she sat with her legs crossed, a calm smile on her face.
"Well, well, well," she said softly, swirling her wine. "You took your time."
Ariella felt anger rise within her.
"You've lost," Leo stated sharply. "Give up now, and we can end this without more harm. You should know when to accept defeat Gabby."
Gabby chuckled lightly. "Oh, Leo. Always the hero." She turned her gaze to Ariella, her eyes shining with something sinister. "And you, darling… always so easy to read."
Ariella clenched her fists. "This ends now, Gabby."
Gabby leaned in, resting her elbows on her knees. "Does it?"
She snapped her fingers.
Suddenly, the lights went out and there was total darkness.
Ariella gasped. The cabin was engulfed in shadows, everything disappearing into black.
A loud crash rang out, followed by hurried footsteps.
Then—gunshots.
Leo dove toward Ariella, pulling her down just as bullets shattered the glass behind them.
"Stay down!" he commanded, drawing his own gun.
Carter's men fired back, their movements quick and accurate. The room erupted into chaos.
Ariella's heart raced as she tried to grasp the ambush.
Gabby had set this up.
She had lured them in—and now she was trying to escape.
Ariella wouldn't allow it.
She noticed a shadow moving toward the back door. Gabby.
Without thinking, Ariella sprinted after her.
Gabby moved swiftly, gliding through the trees like a phantom. But Ariella was close behind.
The moonlight illuminated the clearing, revealing Gabby's figure as she rushed toward a waiting black car.
No. She wasn't going to let Gabby slip away. This has to end today. She has had enough. Before she welcomes her child into the world, she has to make sure they are safe from Gabby.
Ariella pushed herself harder, ignoring her pregnancy and focusing only on the woman who had taken so much from her.
She reached Gabby just as she grabbed the car door handle.
Ariella lunged, seizing her wrist and pulling her back.
Gabby screamed, twisting fiercely.
The two women fell, landing in a heap of arms and legs.
Gabby scratched at Ariella, her nails digging into her skin.
"You should have stayed down!" Gabby hissed, trying to push her away.
Ariella clenched her teeth, using all her strength to keep Gabby pinned down.
"You can't escape this," Ariella said fiercely.
Gabby chuckled, breathless. "And what will you do, darling? Kill me?"
Ariella tightened her grip on Gabby's throat. For a brief moment, she thought about it.
This woman had ruined everything for her. She had tried to break her. She had threatened her child. Killing her won't be such a bad idea.
But Ariella was not Gabby. And she wouldn't let herself become like her.
Instead, she forced Gabby's hands behind her back, twisting them painfully.
Gabby screamed, her body going limp under Ariella's hold.
Just then, Leo appeared, gun in hand.
Ariella looked up, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Leo took in the scene—Gabby trapped, powerless, furious.
His expression softened when he met Ariella's gaze.
"You did it," he said quietly.
Ariella swallowed hard. "No." She stood up, stepping back. "We did."
Leo took out his phone. "Carter, we have her. Call the police."
Gabby's face contorted with anger. "You think prison can hold me?"
Ariella leaned closer, her voice a soft whisper.
"No, Gabby," she said. "But the world will always remember who you are."
Gabby's eyes widened—she understood.
Her legacy was finished.
And she would never escape this downfall.
The next morning, every news station in the country reported on Gabby's arrest.
"Former Socialite Gabby Armstrong Arrested—Suspected of Multiple Crimes."
"The Rise and Fall of a Power Couple: Gabby Armstrong Faces Justice."
"Ariella Brooks: From Surrogate to Survivor."
Ariella watched the news from her home, her fingers gently rubbing her belly.
Leo sat next to her, holding her hand.
"She's finally gone," he said softly.
Gabby was no longer there. For good.
Leo looked at her, his eyes full of warmth. "What do we do now?"
Ariella smiled gently.
"Now?" she whispered, placing his hand on her stomach. "We begin our forever."
Leo moved closer, giving her a slow, deep kiss.
And for the first time ever, Ariella realized—
She was finally, truly free.
Forever.