Morning light streamed through the windows, painting the safehouse living room in soft golden tones.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Ariella wasn't waking up to gunfire, explosions, or the constant threat of death.
She was waking up to peace.
Or at least, the closest thing to it.
Leo's arm was wrapped around her waist, his warmth comforting against her back. His steady breathing matched the rhythm of her own heartbeat—the heartbeat of the baby growing inside her.
Ariella's hand moved to her belly, a small smile appearing on her face.
The battle against Silas Vaughn was finished.
She was finally free.
Yet, freedom brought its own challenges.
Ariella knew this fight wasn't truly over.
The safehouse buzzed with energy as Ariella and Leo entered the main room. Carter was at the dining table, focused on his laptop, while Vincent leaned against the counter, sipping coffee with a grin that seemed too cheerful for someone who had just come out of a war.
Vincent looked up, a playful smirk on his face. "Well, look who decided to leave their love nest."
Leo shot him a warning look. "Do you ever stop talking?"
Vincent laughed. "Not when I have a chance to poke fun at you."
Ariella rolled her eyes but felt warmth in her heart. This felt… normal. As normal as it could be.
Carter cleared his throat. "We have some news."
Leo tensed, his protective instincts kicking in. "What kind of news?"
Carter turned the laptop toward them, revealing several classified documents. "Silas Vaughn's assets are gone. His allies? Dispersed. Some are hiding, but many are trying to negotiate with the authorities."
Ariella let out a breath. "Good."
Carter nodded. "However, the Order isn't completely gone."
Ariella felt a knot in her stomach.
It wouldn't be that simple.
Carter went on. "Silas was a key player in their network, but he wasn't the only one. There are still groups out there, waiting to see if they can come back together."
Leo clenched his jaw. "Then we need to eliminate them before they have a chance."
Ariella ran her fingers through her hair. "Right now, we have the upper hand. They're scattered and weak." She turned to Carter. "Can we track them down?"
Carter grinned. "I'm already on it."
Ariella felt a spark of pride.
Silas Vaughn might have haunted her dreams, but the Order was a deep-rooted system in society.
And one thing she had learned—
You can't just wipe out a system in a day.
You have to take it apart from the inside.
A New Chapter
As much as Ariella wanted to eliminate every trace of the Order, she had another truth to confront.
She was seven months pregnant.
And she was tired.
Leo noticed first while they were in the garden behind the safe house.
His fingers lightly touched her arm. "You need to take a break."
Ariella sighed and leaned against him. "I will."
Leo smirked. "That's not true."
She laughed, tilting her head to meet his gaze. "You know me too well."
Leo kissed her forehead, his tone gentle. "You don't have to face this alone anymore, Ariella."
She felt a lump in her throat, emotions swelling inside her.
For years, she had been on her own, shouldering every weight, every fight.
But now?
She had Leo.
She had Carter and Vincent.
She had a family.
And soon, she would have a child.
Ariella placed her hand on her belly, feeling the soft movements of the baby within her.
For the first time, the idea of being a mother didn't frighten her.
It filled her with purpose.
The Last Piece to Resolve.
Time went by, and while Ariella concentrated on her pregnancy, Carter and Vincent focused on tracking down the last members of the Order.
Then—
They discovered something.
Or rather, someone.
Ariella straightened up as Carter placed a file in front of her. "We found him."
Leo, who had been standing behind her, immediately stiffened. "Who?"
Carter's face grew serious. "One of the Order's main planners. The man who helped Silas run everything from behind the scenes."
He slid the file across the table.
Ariella opened it—
And froze.
The photo looking back at her was a face she hadn't seen in years.
A face she believed was just a memory.
Leo noticed her reaction right away. "Ariella?"
Her fingers tightened around the edges of the file.
"I know him."
Carter and Vincent exchanged glances.
Leo's voice was low and tense. "Who is he?"
Ariella raised her eyes, her stomach churning.
"He's the man who took me from my family."
The room went quiet.
Leo's eyes darkened. "Where is he?"
Carter took a breath. "We have a location. He's been hiding in a remote estate just outside the country. He has protection, but it's nothing we can't handle."
Vincent grinned. "Sounds like the perfect chance for one last mission."
Leo looked at Ariella. "Do you want to do this?"
Ariella didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Because this was not just about justice.
This was about finding peace.
And she wouldn't let her child grow up in a world where the man who stole her past was still alive.
The Final Mission
The estate was a stronghold of wealth and corruption, but Ariella had never been one to shy away from a challenge.
With Leo, Carter, and Vincent at her side, they entered the compound under the cover of darkness.
Ariella's heart remained calm as they took down guards, one after another, moving like shadows through the night.
Then—
They reached the last room.
Ariella stepped inside.
And there he was.
The man who had taken her childhood.
He turned, his eyes widening in recognition. "Isabelle—"
Ariella raised her gun.
And pulled the trigger.
One shot.
Straight to the heart.
The man stumbled, shock in his eyes—then fell.
Ariella breathed out, her hands steady.
It was finished.
Leo moved next to her, his gaze gentle yet proud. "Are you alright?"
Ariella took a deep breath, placing a hand on her belly.
For the first time, she felt calm.
"Yes," she whispered.
And she truly meant it.
Back at the safehouse, Ariella gazed at the sunset, the golden light shimmering on the ocean.
Leo wrapped an arm around her, his other hand resting on her belly.
She leaned against him, soaking in the warmth, safety, and love.
"You did it," Leo said softly.
Ariella smiled. "We did it."
Leo kissed her gently. "What's next?"
Ariella exhaled, closing her eyes.
"Now?" She looked down at her belly, feeling the soft kick of her child.
"Now, we begin anew."
Because this wasn't the end of her journey.
It was just the start.