"It was only then that she realized that even the purest of us could do horrible things sometimes."

****************

Nikolas's POV

"Why are you sad?"

Nathan's soft voice jolted me from my reverie. I felt like the only survivor emerging from a detonation's deafening roar. I felt as though I were struggling to free myself from the wreckage of a catastrophic explosion, the cacophony still ringing loud in my ears. It felt as though I was fighting my way out of the rubles, clawing my way to the surface, yet an invisible force seemed determined to pull me back into the heart of the devastation, trapping me further into this ear-shattering vortex.

I sucked into a deep breath, trying to find oxygen within the suffocating smoke of betrayal surrounding me. My gaze fell on the little kid, standing across from me, his eyes innocent and big, his head tilted to the side as he gazed upon me, trying to understand the force that crushed me like this.

I shook my head, "It's nothing," It was everything.

Reaching out my hand toward him, I whispered, "Come here," and without a moment's hesitation, he moved closer, his small hand slipping into mine as I gently guided him towards the couch where I sat.

My gaze roamed across his youthful features. His skin was a pristine shade of pale, untouched by the sun's rays. His hazel eyes shone with a gentle light, framed by long, dark lashes. His hair, a soft shade of brown, was a mix of tousled strands atop his head, with a few escaping to gently caress his forehead.

I brought my hand to his face, my finger gently caressing the top of his cheek, "Do you remember what you told me before," I started to speak, "About the...dangerous people who want to hurt you," I asked and he nodded his head, so clueless that in my eyes those dangerous people are composed of one man only. The one he refers to as father. Isaac.

"Well, I think they know where you are now," The words scratched at my throat, the revelation of what Na...of what she did and is doing prompted me to take this necessary measure. I'd care less if Isaac figured out the bunker's location, but if he did, it means he would soon figure that I was hiding Nathan just next to it. I can't risk that.

A glimmer of fear flickered in his eyes, and I gently shook my head, assuring him, "Just as I promised, I will not let anyone harm you," I spoke softly, "That's why I need to get you out of here."

He whispered, his voice trembling, "Where will I go?" The worry etched deeper lines between his brows.

"Somewhere safe," I replied, my hands resting on his small shoulders. "Ronald and Jeremy will take you there. You know them and you trust them." I added in assurance, as I couldn't entirely depend on my own men alone to take care of this. I trusted no one, but I can at least rely on Ronald to keep his own brother safe.

His frown deepened, and he slumped his shoulders, a mere whisper escaping his lips, "And what about you?"

I nodded, trying to comfort him, "I'll be with you, but I have some things to take care of first," I explained, I have an impending war to prepare for, I have to take care of the can of warm Natalie opened on us, "But tomorrow, the first thing I'll do is come to you, okay?"

My words failed to completely ease his fears; his uncertainty lingered, and a tearful vulnerability welled up in his eyes, a rawness no child should ever have to experience.

I gave his little shoulders a small squeeze, "Nathan, do you trust me?"

His eyes were on my face and he nodded his head, "Yes," He said, believing in me and that alone was another weight on my shoulders; I needed to keep him safe no matter what.

I gave him an assuring nod, trying to shield my pain away behind a closed door till I took care of this, "Then I promise, I won't let anything happen to you."

My motivation was crystal clear. It wasn't for Natalie, no, I am not doing this for her; it was for him alone, for his pure innocence that must be protected at all costs.

"Is this..." He began to speak, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "Is this how my life will always be?" His question was accompanied by a solitary teardrop that rolled down his cheek, carrying a burden far too heavy for his young shoulders. He tilted his head as he pondered the life he had experienced thus far. "Will there always be dangerous people?"

He shook his head, the thoughts roaming his head older than his age, "I don't think all people live like this, right?" He questioned like he genuinely didn't know the answer to this, "Not everyone has dangerous people wanting to hurt them, right?"

I shook my head, honest in my answer, "No, not everyone lives their life in fear and always on the run." It was an exception reserved for the likes of us, it was the curse of the dark and tainted blood running through our veins. A price to pay for our rotten roots.

He brought his fist to his eye, rubbing at them, "Did you live like this too?" He asked, trying to find someone to relate to.

I gave him a small nod, "Yeah," I said, "It wasn't the easiest of lives, which is why I won't let the same happen to you, alright?"

He nodded, but his gaze dropped downward, his lips forming a tiny pout, and the tip of his nose reddened as he sniffled. "Okay," he whispered, rubbing his fists against his eyes in a valiant attempt to shield his tears and pain.

Cupping his little face gently in my hands, I told him, "I don't want you to be scared." He looked up at me, a newfound determination burning in his eyes as he nodded. "I won't be," he declared, trying to reassure me. I wished I could offer him a comforting smile, but I simply didn't have the energy or strength for it at that moment.

"I'll wait for you," he added, and I made a promise to him that I would be there as soon as I possibly could.

I reached for the jacket beside me and assisted him in putting it on. Carefully, I pulled the zipper up to keep him warm. Then, I took the beanie and gently placed it over his head, adjusting it to cover his ears, and shielding him from the impending chill outside.

Before I could say anything more, he gave me a small, reassuring smile. I wanted to return the gesture, desperately; god, I really wanted to, but it felt impossible with everything falling apart around me. He must have sensed my agony because his response was to move closer, wrapping his arms around my neck and resting his head on my shoulder.

"Don't be sad," he murmured, and I held him tightly, squeezing my eyes shut as I clung to that moment, to anything, to anyone, before the truth unraveling around got the chance to drag me further into the wreckage's center.

I cradled the back of his head. An anger, a wildfire, scorched my very core, burning through the love that lived there once before. The blood of fury coursed within my veins, god, I'd been just a pawn in her deceiving games. How could've I been so stupid and blind?

The trust I had surrendered, the faith I gave, got crumbled like ruins, into a watery grave.

In my tempest of anger, I gasped for air, for oxygen to saturate my suffocating lungs. I forced my eyes open, the hazy images that greeted me caused me to blink several times. I withdrew slightly and brought my hand to my eyes, rubbing away any trace of vulnerability. This was neither the time nor the place for me to fall weak.

"Why don't you go to your room and pack the things you want to take with you," I suggested and he nodded his head in agreement, leaving my side and rushing to his room.

Just at that moment, the main door swung open, and both Jeremy and Ronald walked in, wearing expressions of utter confusion due to my abrupt command. I rose to my feet, and Ronald shut the door behind him before approaching, totally unaware of his sister's actions. It's almost too funny that I've suspected him over the past months when the real traitor was sleeping in my bed.

"Did something happen?" he inquired, confusion furrowing his brow, "Are you sure that Isaac knows his location?"

I nodded, "I think he does," It was a matter of time only, "If he is planning to attack then we need to be faster than him this time."

Ronald nodded, "Yes, definitely."

Jeremy looked at me with hesitation, "Do you really think I should be out there on the field," He questioned, "If someone points a gun at me, I'd pee myself."

I shook my head, "I am not sending you out there to fight, Jeremy," I corrected him, "A couple of my men are gonna be with you till you reach the destination," I explained, "Nathan needs a familiar face, he is already scared, and that's why you are both going."

Jeremy nodded, "Yeah, sure, we will keep him safe," He said, still hesitant as his gaze darted to Ronald, "I guess," He mumbled and Ronald glared at him, "Shut up, I will keep you safe too, don't be a baby."

Jeremy smiled and nodded his head. Ronald rolled his eyes at him before he settled his gaze on me. Maybe my expression was too obvious, maybe I couldn't conceal the devastation brewing within me the right way because he inquired, puzzled, "Are you okay?" He asked, "Did something happen after we left?"

I shook my head. This was not the time to open up, "I am fine."

Nathan emerged from his room, a backpack in tow, and when he locked eyes with Ronald, his face lit up with a bright smile. "Hey," he exclaimed, drawing nearer to his brother's side.

Ronald's own smile widened, and he bent down to plant a kiss on the top of the child's head. "Hey, you," he said, his hands resting on Nathan's shoulders in a reassuring gesture. I made a conscious effort to push aside my worries and find comfort in the knowledge that he would be safe.

I did everything in my life wrong, so, maybe I can do this one thing right.

"Call me when you get there," I instructed, and both guys nodded in acknowledgment.

"And if anything happens—" I began, but Ronald interrupted my concerns, offering me a reassuring look before directing his attention to Nathan.

"Nothing will happen," he declared, speaking directly to the little one. He flashed him a warm smile and continued, "It's gonna be a long drive, but we're gonna have so much fun. I've bought you plenty of snacks, and I've downloaded all sorts of movies on your iPad," he added, attempting to divert the child's thoughts away from the impending danger with these small, comforting details.

"Cool!" Nathan exclaimed, his smile growing wider as he exchanged a fist bump with Ronald.

"I'll see you soon, boss," Jeremy said, bidding me farewell. "That is, if I make it out alive. If not, can you please tell my dad that—"

Ronald harshly interrupted him with a punch to the shoulder, silencing the rest of his pessimistic words. Jermey winced, "Ronald!" He shot out and began to argue with him.

Nathan's gaze shifted to me, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, and he offered me a reassuring, heartfelt smile, almost like he wanted to encourage me to find a glimmer of hope amid my troubled dark world. This time, I managed to pull a small smile in return. It brightened his face, and he raised his hand, giving me a little wave before the three of them walked away.

I glanced at my watch, realizing that two hours had slipped away since I left my office. Perhaps she had left, or maybe she remained there; I couldn't be certain. What I did know was that I had to go back, to put an end to this once and for all. Whether she chose to run back to Isaac or he managed to uncover my secret location, I no longer cared, especially now that Nathan had been relocated to a safer place.

I exited the house and made my way back to the bunker. I had instructed every other man to get out, leaving only the three guys I had assigned to guard the entrance of my office. They were still stationed there, and as I paused by their sides, I inquired, "Is she still inside?"

They nodded in response, one of them adding, "She hasn't made any attempt to escape."

Good, at least she believed in my threat even when I didn't. She believes that I have the power to hurt her. She really doesn't know me at all.

My hand gripped the doorknob, and I closed my eyes, silently pleading for control, for strength, for anything that could help me navigate this predicament. With a deep breath, I turned the knob and pushed the door open. Stepping inside, the sound of my footsteps caused her to snap her head in my direction. The moment our eyes locked once more, her blue meeting my green, I felt myself crumble once again. My defenses fell, and my heart tumbled, shattered at her feet.

I had once thought I was strong, but no, I was much weaker than I anticipated.

Physical pain? I can take that all day long.

But this...this was unbearable.

She stood beside my desk, her fingers tightly gripping its edge, the other hand concealed behind her back, clutching something I couldn't see. Her face bore the evidence of her turmoil – tears streaked down her cheeks, and her eyes were filled with a profound sense of heartbreak. It was as if I were the one who had shattered her heart, rather than the other way around.

She gazed back at me, her jaw clenched with determination, attempting to mask the fear that radiated from her eyes – fear of me. How smart she must be, to fear the very person she had betrayed and broken down.

Her trembling form and quivering lips laid bare her internal struggle. She was acutely aware of the wrongs she had committed, and her guilt was palpable, despite her attempts to conceal it. But what did her guilt mean to me now?

I took a few steps closer, and Natalie misinterpreted my approach as a threat, a stark testament that she had no clue who I really am on the inside. Without a moment's hesitation, she withdrew her hidden hand from behind her back and pointed it at me.

I stared at the gun, my own gun, the very one she had stolen from my drawer, now clutched in her delicate, trembling fingers and aimed at me, "Get back!" she shot out, her voice quivering, tears filling her broken eyes. The pain in her gaze mirrored the anguish in my own.

My men sensed the danger and the three of them rushed inside instantly. They surrounded us, took positions, and aimed their guns at her, ready to defend me. Fury started to build within me as I whipped my head to glare at them, "If you don't lower your guns and get out of here, I will fucking kill you all!"

"But, sir-"

"Get out!" I bellowed at them before I faced her again.

I couldn't fathom the image ahead of me, if felt so contradictive for her innocent white hands to wield such a dark weapon. It was only then that I realized how I was fully responsible for this. For everything. I did this to her. I changed her. I succeeded in breaking her alongside me.

This is what always happens; everything I touch gets ruined.

She wasn't this person before me. I am sure. I will always be held responsible for this. This is why people shouldn't be brought into my world. This is why I kept my distance from everyone. This is why I ran away every time I saw happiness standing so close. This is why.

My men listened to my orders and left the room and the bunker altogether, leaving us alone.

I stepped forward, pausing in my steps only when the barrel of the gun pressed into my chest. I looked down at it, unthreatened, because she never needed a gun to kill me. She had already done it a thousand times before. She did, every time she smiled at me. She did it, every time she kissed me. She did it, every time she whispered soothing words to me, and every time she pulled back from the edge.

Every touch, every whisper, every smile and laugh, every moment —they were all bullets of different types, they all pierced into my heart, leaving a gap I will never be able to fill again.

So, I really wish she had enough power to physically kill me this time. It would be easier, easier than to live in the shadow of her betrayal.

"I would do it," She whispered, threatening me, and trying to push me further away from her.

"Then, do it," I urged her, "Do I look like someone who is scared of death, Natalie?"

"Kill me, come on," I taunted back, because she deserved all of my anger and rage, she deserved me to ruin her back, but I was and still is helpless when it comes to her, "This will be the only merciful thing you can do to me after everything you've done."

My words hit her in a sensitive spot because her lower lip trembled, her fingers shaky and quivering and she pushed them away from me, throwing the gun away, like it burned and scorched her skin. She let it clash into the ground, right by my fractured heart. An anguished voice vibrated from her throat and she backed away, the back of her knees hitting the desk.

She brought her hands up to cover her face, blinding herself from the reality she conjured up, "Please, just let me go," She whispered as she cried into her hands.

"I will," I said, relieving her of that fear. She pulled her face up, her hands falling down helplessly to her sides, looking at me in an attempt to understand if I was telling the truth or just bluffing.

"What did you think I'd do to you, Natalie?" I questioned, the mere whisper of her name crushing my soul, "Keep you here? Lock you forever? Harm you?" I shook my head, I wasn't that strong, unfortunately, "You're free to go, I've got nothing to do with you anymore."

Shock clouded her gaze and teary eyes stared back at me in disbelief, trying to digest whether I meant this or if I was setting up another trap for her.

Instead of leaving, she remained frozen in her spot, something still holding her back. She brought her hand up, wiping at her cheeks, attempting to kick the tears away. She shook her head, her eyes looking away from me, because she didn't have enough courage to face me and her mistakes yet, "You can't think that I did this because I wanted to."

The wind around me howled with fury, my heart aflame and I wanted to ruin everything in my wake, I wanted her to see the real intensity of my wrath but instead, a weird force stripped away all of my rage, leaving me bare. My reaction felt misplaced, but that's how much she had ruined me; the corner of my lips lifted into a smile, a very helpless smile and I shook my head, "I am not stupid, Natalie, I was never stupid."

"But with you, I was, both stupid and blind, or else I would've been able to see through your lies," I explained, "I am not stupid, so, I can guess what happened, to some extent," I said, "First, I have to surmise that my dear father threatened you," I said, thinking out loud and my eyebrow raised, "Perhaps with your father, maybe with Ronald, and even with young Nathan."

My words triggered a wave of shock to flash and widen her eyes, so I resumed, "So, you listened to him, you played in his little game because you felt like you had no other choice," I added, "But to a certain extent only, there were limits still, ones you weren't ready to cross," My eyebrows furrowed, "Your good innocent heart couldn't let you do more, so, that's when Isaac pulled the big guns, that's when he revealed to you the truth about my past, my truth."

Her chest heaved as she struggled to come to terms with the fact that I had everything figured out. The truth was, all I had to do was open my eyes. I knew Isaac, I understood his methods, and I could see right through his manipulations, "When he told you about Cara, he gave your actions a motive, a name, and an excuse."

"So, Natalie," I added as I took one step closer, "Maybe...maybe you didn't start doing this because you wanted to, but the second you learned the truth, you wanted to, you wanted to hurt me, you wanted to avenge a pain that wasn't yours, am I right?"

Her throat bobbed, heavy and strained. Her eyes cloudy, a grey vortex of emotions and pain. She didn't give me an answer and she didnt need to. I've got it all figured out. All I had to do, was look past my love; the one she left in ruins and buried in dust.

"But you see, that's the thing, Natalie," I added, being brutally honest, "You had no right to do that."

"If anyone deserves to do all of this to me, it's only Cara, only her, she is the one I hurt the most, she is the one I caused pain, and she is the one I wronged. If she would come here and do anything...just anything to me, if she'd pull a gun and kill me, I would let her without making a single voice, because she is the only one who deserves this, not you," I shook my head, "Not you."

"It wasn't your pain to avenge, Natalie."

Each whispered secret we shared, I thought was love, turned out to be nothing but an abyss. Her false devotion, was just a calculated art, tearing my world asunder and ripping it apart.

"You had no right to do this because...because I've done nothing wrong to you," I added and she just listened, her silent tears unstoppable as they tore through the boundaries and slipped down, "I was so careful, so fucking careful to not cause you any harm in any way, so, no, you had no right to do this to me."

Her sweet deceit, felt like a very cold dagger in my chest and I still couldn't comprehend how the one I held in my tender embrace every night, how she was able to conspire with my own father, the same man who ruined my life...

I shook my head again, "And I get it, believe me, I do, how betrayed you must've felt when you learned the truth, I can only imagine," My voice lowered because I wasn't innocent, I deserved this coming my way as some twisted game of karma, but not from her, just not from her, "But you could've came to me, you could've shouted at me, punched me, called me all the names you wanted, you could've stabbed me in the front, not in the back, you could've left me and walked away," I said, "I would've deserved that."

"I would've deserved to lose you that way because I am a bad, very bad man," I admitted, letting it all once and for all, "I never played the hero part, since the first day I met you, I never wanted to deceive you, but as time passed, it became harder and harder to tell you the truth. So, in that part, I am at fault."

"I should've told you my truth from the very start, should've allowed you to take the decision on your own and leave," I said and she didn't utter a single word, too broken to speak, too weak to justify her actions and motives, "I knew that a bad man like me could never deserve a good girl like you, but by doing this, you proved that you've got bad in you too, Natalie.

You've got darkness in you too."

"How does that make you feel?"

My words were stronger than any gun I'd point at her and fire. My words stabbed her right in the heart, tearing at it. A low pained gasp parted her lips and she pressed her eyes shut, in an attempt to suppress the overbearing pain. It was only then that she realized that even the purest of us could do horrible things sometimes.

In the battle of light and darkness, she partook, in the line between good and evil, she walked through and forsook, and the choice she made defined who she truly was.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

She pried her eyes open, the achingly beautiful blue in them like fractured sapphires, shimmering with a glint of pain. She just shook her head, so energyless, so tired, and exhausted as she ran back and forth through the lane of memories. The memories we created. The memories she and I tainted; Me, with the hidden truth and her, with the betrayal.

I leaned my back against the wall, because I needed something to support me and my wavering form, my eyes kept their focus on her, still in the process of believing this, of adjusting to it, of imagining how the rest of my life would look like without her.

"I gave you your brothers back," I whispered, "Even if it was indirectly, I still did." I got her childhood house, arranging it all the right way, so it can be ready for her father when he gets out of the hospital. For god's sake, I recently bought the company she works for, just so she won't lose her job, because I couldn't handle her sadness when she spoke of it. I wasn't going to tell her anyway but, the things, the lengths I was ready to overstep just for her, they're insane.

And her, what did she do in return?

"I am still trying to understand the fact that...that you helped Isaac," I said, my voice lowering at my next sentence, "The same man who killed my mother."

She was there, she saw how that demolished me, how it still has the power to crush me beyond compare.

"The same man who imprisoned me, who electrocuted me, drowned and burned me, who flogged me non-stop, you helped that man," I said, "Did you...did you know that Cara was there too?" I asked, my question shocking her further.

Lines of distress marred my forehead, "And even her, even she...she told him to stop."

I had no comment anymore.

The woman who hated me with passion, who loathed me and who had every right to, she was the one to stop my father's torture; but the one I gave my heart to, the one I loved and worshipped and held up high above all, she was the one to put her hand in his and ask him for more, aiding him in my downfall.

Life was just a sick sick joke, wasn't it?

And Natalie just kept silent, her teary gaze on the floor, her quivering hand on my desk, her face a reflection of pain and shame. The redness covered the area under her eyes and the tip of her nose. She kept silent, soundless, and she remained standing still in the same spot, refusing to leave yet.

I wanted her to leave. I wanted her out of my sight. Maybe it would hurt less if she was away.

I straightened myself and edged closer to her, pausing when a few centimeters separated us. She lifted her eyes to me and I spoke, "I need you to leave," I said, and she seemed like she wanted to protest, maybe scared of Isaac and what he'd do, but it was not my place to care anymore, "If you want to go to Isaac, then by all means, do so. I genuinely don't care," I said, my voice laced with indifference, "And please make sure to tell him that this only served to bring his death date closer."

She shook her head, "I would never go back to him," She whispered, hurt that I was accusing her of such.

"Yeah, true, my bad sorry, you completed your mission anyway, so why would you?"

Lines of anguish drew her eyebrows closer, "Don't say that," She shook her head, "You can't say that," She added, "You haven't heard my part of this story-"

"You are the one who stayed silent all through, you are the one who opted to point a gun at me instead," I shook my head, "It doesn't matter anyway, I no longer want to hear what you have to say," My jaw clenched tight because the pain was fading and getting replaced with unmeasurable anger, "So, Leave, now," My voice hardened, "Because if you don't, I might really lose it and hurt you this time, Natalie."

"But-"

My hand wrapped around her arm, and with a tight jaw, I repeated, "I said, get out." I was prepared to drag her out of here myself, but in that tense moment, the sudden wail of distant alarms pierced the air. I froze in my spot, my body tensing up in alert. It was a sound I had anticipated, but not with such quickness. Not now, not when she was still in here with me.

The ground beneath us trembled, and in an instant, the world around us erupted into pure chaos. In a mere heartbeat, I turned to Natalie, her eyes widening in shock and fear. A deafening roar filled the air as a devastating force struck and was dropped on the bunker I had sought refuge in, away from everyone.

The sound was a chorus of havoc, a cacophony that tore through the air like a vengeful god's wrath.

An unrelenting force shoved us both, and in a split second, I instinctively encircled Natalie with my body, shielding her from the impact. My arms enveloped her fragile form, my hand cradling the back of her head just as the ferocity propelled us into the wall. The subsequent shockwaves reverberated painfully through our bodies, and I could feel the impact of some shattered fragments striking the backs of my legs. The back of my hand collided harshly with the wall, acting as a shield to protect her head from a similar clash.

The blast manifested as an unleashed tempest of fury, a vortex of unrestrained violence and immense force.

Lamps burst into showers of sparks, and the walls shuddered, cracks racing across their surface. The ceiling groaned under the pressure, debris rained down like jagged tears from the heavens.

The very earth seemed to tremble, as if recoiling from the force unleashed upon it.

The world around us became a whirlwind of chaos, with the acrid stench of smoke and burning wood filling the air. Time seemed to stretch and contract, as if we were suspended in a nightmare.

In the deafening aftermath, my world was reduced to a muted, distant realm. It was as if someone had submerged my head beneath the waters of a vast, echoing ocean, where the sound was a mere memory, distorted and distant.

I blinked my eyes open, trying to regain my balance. My body was consuming hers, her hands grasping into the fabric of my shirt, ever so tightly, like she was hanging into me for dear life. Her fearful eyes stared up at me, our faces separated by one breath of air only.

As the echoes of destruction faded into the background, as the ringing in our ears began to recede, our senses gradually returned to us and a new sound emerged, one that was powerful and profound. In the stillness of that moment, we both became acutely aware of the thunderous rhythm of our own heartbeats. Racing and crashing as they pressed against one another. An unyielding reminder of our shared existence in the face of devastation.

Natalie shook her head, so much fear enveloped her gaze, almost like she expected me to blame her for this too, "I didn't do this, I swear."

I didn't move yet, I didn't let go of her just yet. I nodded my head, "I know."

Indirectly, she was responsible for it though.

"It's the chip," I informed her and her eyes grew wider, "It contains a location tracker, it was a matter of time before he did this," My gaze flickered around at the destruction, unable to imagine the rest of the place beneath the rubbles.

"Oh my god," Natalie gasped, coming to the same conclusion, "But...but Nathan?"

I shook my head, "As I told you before," I said, detaching my body from hers and edging backward, ignoring the pain shooting up my leg and through my hand, "I am not stupid, I knew this was gonna happen so I sent him away."

Her eyes grew wider, "To where?"

I shot her a knowing look and couldn't help but scoff. As if I would reveal that information to her. Perhaps I am foolish enough to act on my instincts, to protect her and shield her from danger without thinking of myself, but I was far from being naive enough to trust her again.

My gaze dropped down, to her hand that was still clutching into me. Only then, she realized and she untangled it, "Sorry," She whispered, gulping down before she ran her hand over her face, kicking off the dust and she looked around the place in utter bewilderment.

I pulled my phone out but the no signal sign mocked me back. I knew if he attempted something like this, he'd disconnect everything electrical and disable any means of communication. Cut me off from the world and kill me under the destruction, making it look like an accident so no one would blame him.

Natalie cautiously maneuvered through the wreckage, carefully navigating the crushed glass and splintered wood until she reached my side, "Nik," She mumbled, her hand coming to my arm. My gaze fell into her hand, her touch scorching my skin and I pulled away. My action reminded her of what just happened, to stick to her fucking limits even if we were trapped in here together, "I was just...I just wanted to ask if-"

The crunching sound of glass at a distance sent my heart racing, and I quickly pressed my hand over her mouth. "Shush," I whispered, quelling the remainder of her words as I gently pinned her against the wall. My heightened senses went into overdrive, striving to pinpoint the origin of that ominous sound.

"Someone else is here," I whispered, releasing my hand from over her mouth and her eyes grew wide, "What?"

I scanned the surroundings, my eyes falling to the left, where a portion of my desk remained relatively intact. "Go and hide under there," I instructed, but her evident shock prompted more questions. "But-"

"Nate, for god's sake, for once just listen to me," I grated out through a whispered hiss.

My words had her gulping down and she nodded, stepping over and hiding there, "Stay hidden no matter what," I demanded before I looked around and under the destruction searching for my gun that she had thrown away. I found it and checked if it was loaded before I headed to the damaged door, beneath layers of debris stacked upon one another.

Amidst the swirling dust and smoke, I squinted my eyes, straining to discern the identity of our assailants. The approaching footsteps grew louder, and once I confirmed the intruder as a hostile presence, I swiftly raised my gun and pulled the trigger, the recoil sending the invader sprawling backward. However, the resounding gunshot served as an unwelcome beacon, alerting others to our presence, and three more men stormed into the scene.

In the midst of chaos, I rapidly assessed the situation, identifying the least guarded target whom I could incapacitate first. I squeezed the trigger again, retreating as I fired, all the while seeking cover to shield myself from the incoming barrage of bullets. I deftly dodged a couple of their hits and successfully kicked one of them backward, desperately fighting to regain the upper hand.

My leg throbbed with relentless agony, and I could feel the warmth of blood oozing from the shards that had penetrated my flesh. This grim fact only served to tip the scales against me, and it played right into their hands. One of them capitalized on my vulnerability, delivering a punishing blow that sent me reeling backward. My back collided with the jagged rubble, causing my grip on the gun to falter, and the weapon tumbled from my grasp.

Fueled by a potent mixture of anger and pain, I summoned every ounce of strength within me. I forced myself to stand, my determination overpowering the searing discomfort, and I hurled my weight toward my attacker.

With a well-aimed punch, I unleashed a blow to his face that struck with unrelenting force, sending shockwaves through his body. He staggered backward but quickly regained his composure, grunting in anger as he launched another attack. "Your father said it wouldn't be easy to put you down," he growled, "But I was never one to shy away from a challenge."

I scoffed at his confidence, refusing to grant him any opportunity to recover. My punches landed with a resounding impact, the vibrations coursing through my arms and delivering a powerful surge of pain and adrenaline. We continued to exchange blows, targeting one another's torso, face, and ribs, each strike reverberating through the dimly lit chamber.

The pivotal moment arrived when I managed to seize a fleeting advantage, positioning myself for the decisive blow that would end the fight. With a loud groan, I pushed him away, he crashed into the floor. I bent down and with unwavering determination, wrapped my arm around his neck, I applied enough pressure twisted, and snapped his neck, his lifeless body collapsing at my feet. I tried to calm down my racing heart and my distorted breaths, gazing down at him, and muttered, "Maybe it would've been better if you had shied away, after all."

I attempted to compose myself, my hand sweeping over my face, but before I could gather my thoughts, a loud, terrified scream shattered the air. "Nikolas, watch out!" Natalie's warning reached my ears just as I felt the chilling steel of a knife penetrate my back, tearing at my flesh.

Pain reverberated through my body as I felt him pull the knife out. Groaning, I managed to turn around, my hand trying to reach for something to hold onto and not lose my balance, "He did say it was easier to stab you in the back," The other guy said, the accomplished smirk curling up his lips.

I blinked through the haziness that threatened to engulf me, struggling to maintain my focus. However, before I could take my next step, a sudden, crashing impact resounded through the chamber. My eyes widened as I saw Natalie standing behind my attacker, clutching a glass that she had forcefully slammed against his head. The glass shattered, its shards scattering around him, and he groaned in agony, wincing as he clutched his throbbing head.

It all unfolded in a chaotic blur, too fast for my weakened body to fully comprehend. The fucker whirled around, his enraged voice reverberating with a venomous epithet, "You bitch!" In a sickening heartbeat, he pushed her backward, aimed his gun at Natalie's leg, and pulled the trigger.

The sound alone was like a shot of pure adrenaline rushing through my veins. I moved with lightning speed, my hands clenching onto his shirt and thrusting him backward, his body crashing into the unforgiving wall. "You don't fucking touch her!" I roared, my voice reverberating off the shattered surroundings.

A red haze descended over my vision as I seized his knife, a conduit for my unbridled rage. With a chilling resolve, I used the blade to mercilessly cut open his throat, a primal response to the pain he inflicted upon my...my delicate girl.

But I wasn't finished. A raw madness surged through me, ready to threaten my sanity, an overwhelming desire to burn the whole fucking world. I snatched the fallen gun, my aim fixed on his skull, and with a violent push, I fired, his brain exploding and I discarded his lifeless useless body aside.

Within a breath, I left his side and scurried toward her, my heart ready to rip out of my chest as I landed by her side. Hiccups escaped from her quivering lips, a chorus of pain that painted her face in shades of anguish. Her hand clung desperately to her injured leg, blood seeping from the wound. My hands, now marked by the violence of the confrontation, shook with a mixture of fear and concern because I was ready for anything, but not for her to get hurt.

I gently cupped her face between my bloodstained palms, forcing her tear-filled gaze away from the source of her agony and onto me. "It hurts," she whispered through her anguish, "It hurts so bad." Her voice was a fragile echo of pain, and I nodded in understanding, my own wounds forgotten in the face of her suffering. The pain in my back paled in comparison to the torment of witnessing her agony.

"I know, I know. Look at me," I urged, trying to offer solace and reassurance. "Nate, look at me." Her teary eyes met mine, and I held her gaze with an unwavering intensity. "I'll take care of it. I just need you to calm down."

"I will find the first-aid kit, I can take care of your wound, okay, will you let me?" I asked again, needing her trust first because I needed to do this here, there was no guarantee of when we would get out from under the destruction, especially with us both injured.

She sniffled and nodded her head, ever so weakly. I wrapped my arms gently around her, carefully pulling her so she could rest her back against my desk. She winced, her teeth digging into her lower lip as she tried to grasp for strength.

I jumped up to my feet and headed out between the wreckage, quickly searching for the place where I knew the kit should be. Pulling it from under the pile of rocks, I rushed back inside, dropped by Natalie, who was staring at the blood dripping from her legs with a silent agonized expression.

I opened the kit, getting out everything I needed. I was no doctor but I've dealt with enough gun wounds to know my way around this one, "Hey, Nate," I whispered, resting my fingers under her chin, lifting her head up, "Keep looking at me, okay?"

She nodded ever so weakly. I took a couple of painkillers and urged her to swallow them down, in an attempt to ease her pain but it was nearly impossible. I was going to do this without any anesthetic.

With her injured leg carefully lifted, my touch was as gentle as I could manage to avoid causing her more pain. My fingers probed the area, searching for any debris or fragments from the bullet. The cleaning process began as I used sterilized gauze pads and a disinfectant solution to carefully wipe away the blood and dirt. All the while, my eyes remained fixed on Natalie's face, trying to make sure that she could bear the discomfort.

She remained silent, enduring the pain, just wincing every now and then. Her fingers curled over the back of my shirt, clinging to me as I resumed, "This is going to hurt," I whispered and Natalie looked at me, her trembling lips curling into a heartbreaking pout, "It's okay, I deserve it," She whispered, ruining my heart yet again.

"Don't say that," I whispered back, "Just hold tightly into me, okay," I urged and with a sterile, pre-packaged needle and thread in hand, I steadied myself before I began suturing the wound. My focus was unwavering as I worked stitch by stitch, my inside crumbling at the cry of pain she tried to suppress, the one that pushed her upper body forward, her head getting buried into my back, her tears soaking my shirt as I applied antibiotic ointment and secured a sterile bandage over the wound, making sure it was securely wrapped.

"Hey, it's over," I whispered softly, my heart aching as I spoke. Natalie slightly edged away from me, the loud sniffles and hiccups resonating through the air. Her face is the picture of raw vulnerability. Her eyes were clouded by the torment she had endured throughout this chaotic day.

Red smudges underscored her puffy, tear-stained eyes, a haunting testament to the distress she had been subjected to. The pain etched on her face was a reflection of the turmoil her body and spirit had weathered.

I rested my hand over her face and wiped her tears away, "It's gonna be okay."

She shook her head, believing that it would never be okay from now on. She rubbed at her face, rather furiously as she grasped for control, "You got hurt too," She mumbled in determination, reaching for the kit, "Let me help you," She mumbled, "I've never done it before, but...but you can tell what to do."

I shook my head, my hand landing over hers, stopping her as she pulled the pads and sterilized them with alcohol, "I can do it myself, you don't have to," I said, recalling her immense fear of blood.

She shook her head multiple times, "It's your back, you won't be able to reach, please, just...just let me do it, let me help you," She sniffled and no matter how hard she fought the new tears from falling down, they kept betraying her.

I pulled my shirt up and she urged me to turn around, I looked behind me, down at my wound, and winced slightly when she inched and gently wiped away at the blood and dirt. Her touch was delicate, like her, even amidst the chaos. Her hands moved with a tenderness that contrasted with the violence we had just experienced, that contrasted with the way she recklessly messed with my feelings.

She began to clean and bandage the wound in my back, asking me to lead her. Her fingers were steady, and her touch was...soothing. She made the pain slightly bearable and I hated that. I hated it so much. I despised the effect she still had over me and I thought of how I was going to extract her from my veins because she was branded deep in there.

I used the time to pull out the shards of glass that had penetrated the skin of my legs. Natalie looked extra bewildered when she noticed them too, almost like she still cared for my well-being.

When she was done, she gently ran her fingers over the bandage, making sure it covered my wound before she lifted her eyes up, "I hope I did it right," She mumbled, fear woven into her words, fear of hurting me more.

I shook my head, dismissing the topic and letting my shirt fall down. I got up to my feet, thinking of a possible way out of here. The smoke was getting suffocating, stripping away our needed oxygen. I thought of how the main metal door was disabled. Enabling it was going to take too much time and it was beyond my expertise.

"There should be another exit for this place," Natalie's words penetrated through my thoughts, signaling that she was thinking the same as me.

"The blueprints of this place were somewhere around here," I muttered to myself, a sense of urgency pushing me forward as I rifled through the debris. My hands grasped at scattered books, many of which had fallen and torn apart in the chaos. Midway through my search, I happened to freeze in my spot, my gaze focused on the broken frame by my feet; the one that held a picture, of her.

With cautious reverence, I knelt down and carefully retrieved the photograph from the tattered remnants of the glass frame. Slowly, I rose to my feet, gazing at the image of this happy joyful innocent girl.

Her bright smile and carefree eyes seemed to contrast sharply with the turmoil that had now engulfed her and us. It was a stark reminder of the person I had once known, the girl who had brought light into my life before darkness encroached and consumed her too.

"Did you find it?" I heard her voice from a distance behind me.

I quickly pushed the picture into my pocket, resuming my search. Along the way, I stumbled upon one of the sedative vials I had wisely kept within reach, thinking it might prove useful in dire situations. I tucked it into my pocket alongside the photo. My search persisted until I finally found what I was looking for.

Retrieving the blueprints, I returned to her side and spread them out, studying every intricate detail, my fingers tracing the winding tunnels and passageways to decipher what lay hidden beneath the ground.

"There is a possible exit right here," I said, pointing at that pathway and Natalie stared at it too, nodding in agreement, "But, it's on the other side of the bunker," I said, my gaze flickering to her injured leg, "You think you can walk?"

Her throat bobbed, "I am not sure."

She pressed her palms over the ground, trying to pull herself up, she placed her weight on her healthy leg and when she tried to pull her other one, her balance faltered. My arms reached for, carefully letting her settle back into the ground.

"I will...I will just stay here," She mumbled, sensing her helpfulness.

I shook my head, "No, this place is gonna fall on itself any moment now," I remarked, "I will carry you there."

Her eyes shot up to me, "No, there could be more of them in here," She said, addressing Isaac's men, "You need to be able to defend yourself, I will only hold you back."

I shook my head, "No, you won't," I said as I pulled a gun from one of the guys, checking if it was loaded before I returned to her side, "Give me your arms," I gestured for her, turning around so I can carry her on my back, "My hands would be free to defend myself this way," I explained my reason.

Natalie shook her head in horror, "No, your back is wounded, I would never-"

"I've had worse, come on," I stressed out.

She shook her head, "No, I will just stay here," She commented, crossing her arms over her chest and lying her back on the desk.

"Natalie, this place is gonna crumble down-"

"Then, let it crumble over me, isn't that what you want?"

I shook my head, my jaw ticking, "No, I could never wish you any harm," I said, truthful.

A wave of emotions passed through her eyes, weakening them yet again. She shook her head, "But, I deserve this," She whispered.

"No, you don't," I declared firmly, taking charge of the situation. I reached for her arms and, with determined force, pulled her close to me. Her initial gasp gave way to cooperation as she tightly wrapped her arms around my neck. With my hands, I positioned her legs correctly, ensuring that she was secure in my grasp. With her tucked safely over my back, I stood up and began making my way out of the office.

The surroundings were a chaotic mess, the aftermath of destruction making it difficult to navigate through the wreckage. However, I remained vigilant, constantly scanning my surroundings for any potential threats. I pushed through the searing pain radiating from my wound and focused on the mission of getting us out of here.

I rested my palms under her thighs, fixing her legs around my waist and she tightened her arms around my shoulders, "You okay there?" I asked.

"Yeah," She mumbled lowly, "You?"

"Great," I mumbled. Sweat began to bead on my forehead, and despite her weight being feather-light, the pain from my wound intensified. I could feel the blood seeping through the bandage, and each breath I took felt hollow, as if the oxygen had abandoned my lungs.

"Why do you never listen to me?" I grated out, because if she had just stayed hidden, this would've not happened.

"He hurt you," She mumbled, "What was I supposed to do?"

"Not help Isaac for starters," I remarked and she fell silent.

We reached our intended location, but I was teetering on the brink of consciousness. The world around me spun wildly, and a disorienting dizziness clouded my vision. It felt as if I could crumble and collapse at any moment, the excruciating pain from my wound intensifying. I struggled to maintain my focus and composure, but my strength was rapidly fading.

"Natalie," I whispered, "I am gonna put you down now," I mumbled weakly as I lowered her onto the floor before my palm fell into the wall, I held myself up but I slowly sank down against it.

"Nik!" She exclaimed in a panic, quickly moving to my side. Her hands tenderly cradled my face, her touch gentle and reassuring, as if trying to will me back to consciousness. "Hey, hey, please stay awake, please," she whispered urgently. I blinked my eyes several times, pushing through the haze and dizziness that threatened to overwhelm me.

"Yes, yes, keep your eyes open," She whispered, her chest heaving, "Don't you dare faint on me, Nikolas," She added, the fearful tears rushing back to her eyes.

My head tilted to the side, gazing at her, "I am sorry, Natalie," I whispered and she shook her head, "No, I am the one who ruined everything," She mumbled, "It's me, only me."

With trembling hands, she cradled my face, her fingers tracing the lines of my features as if trying to etch my existence into her memory. Her touch was both gentle and desperate, a silent plea to the universe, "Stay with me, okay," She said in reassurance, "They are gonna come and get us out of here, I am sure, so keep hanging on, okay, for me, please?"

I swallowed past the acrid taste in my mouth, my eyes still on her, and I spoke, my voice barely making it out, "It's me, too," I said, "I am not the man you thought I was," I whispered, "I am not the victim you wanted to save," I added, "I am the villain and the monster of my own story."

She shook her head, her tears betraying her and cascading down, "No, no, I also...I saw the man behind the monster, I lived with him, I know him, I talked with him, I kissed him, I slept beside him," She kept stroking my face and she confessed over a tortured whisper, "And I loved that man," She shook her head, "No matter how much I didn't want, and how much I fought it, I loved you so much, Nikolas."

Her words, instead of healing my broken heart, they shattered it once more.

"Everything...everything I said, and felt, it was all real, I swear," She added, her face a mess of tears and pain, "It was all real," She whispered again. In that tumultuous moment, she poured out her truth with tears and anguish etched upon her face. Her whispered words, and the touch of her fingers against my skin, felt like a solemn admission, as if we were on the brink of vanishing.

And perhaps, the idea of dying in her arms, with these genuine confessions lingering, seemed, for a fleeting moment, so much better than to live with the heavy crushing weight of her treachery.

She brought her hand to the side of my hair, brushing it away, "Every time I had to hurt you..." Heartbreak weaved into her expression, like she was on the brink of falling down, of crashing and never coming back, "I broke down, every time," She shook her head, "I never wanted to, Nikolas, I could never want to hurt you, I could never, and it killed me, it slowly scrapped pieces out of me, it killed me to watch you in pain, because of me."

"I wanted to...to see you for the monster he described to me, I wanted to hate you, I wanted to be disgusted by you, I wanted, I really wanted to hate you, to despise your presence, but you didn't let me, you didn't allow me to hate you, you didn't let me see the monster and I only saw the man and I broke the man and I loved the man, so much."

She hiccupped a sob as she poured down all of her thoughts and feelings, and only then I felt the single tear that broke through my resilience and descended down my cheek, betraying me too.

I wanted to tell her, just how much I loved her too, but I didn't. I couldn't. Not after everything, not now, not like this...

Her thumb brushed my tear away and she was shaking, her body quivering, "Come here," I whispered, gathering whatever courage I had to wrap my arms around her frail body, and I pulled her to me.

She settled in my lap, curling herself into it and she still fitted inside it like day one, like she was born to be here with me, born to bear this crazy dark world alongside me. She rested her temple against my chest, listening to my heart, hitching and beating and crying and breaking, all at once.

She rested her hand on my chest, over that defeated heart, her fingers gently fluttered there, almost like her mere touch could heal him and bring him back to life again.

"I am so scared, Nikolas," She whispered and I tightened my arms around her.

"Me too," I admitted the same fear.

"I don't think...I don't think I am ready to lose you," She said.

"I will never be ready, Natalie."

She cried into my chest, "Everywhere hurts," She whispered into my skin, sobbing into my embrace, "It hurts so bad, my heart hurts so bad, I feel like I am going to die."

I brought my hand to her face, urging her to look up at me, "You won't," I said, shaking my head, I would trade my life to keep her here, "You will live, Natalie, you will live a long and a happy life," I whispered and she shook her head, understanding what I meant, how that life was far and far away from me. It's how it should've been from the start.

"No," She whispered.

I caressed her face, my finger running through every edge and corner, restoring it into my memories, an image I can hold onto, because that was all I ever had, images of people stored in my mind. I never had the people.

The image of Alex I had, till it ruined me.

The image of my mother, till it broke me.

And now, the image of her, till it kills me.

"What's gonna happen now?" She whispered, so scared, so uncertain of an unknown future.

"When we get out of here," I said, "You will go right," I added, "And I will go left."

Because our paths were never meant to cross. The universe conspired to weave our tale, but when our lives collided, they seemed to fail. The cost of crossing paths was a heavy price. We got torn apart by fate, and we paid the sacrifice.

I knew we were just gonna wait here for a long time, and I didn't want her to wait more in this pain, so carefully, I pulled the sedative vile from my pocket and I uncovered the needle. I used my other hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, "Natalie," I whispered softly and she looked at me, her gaze too devastated, not ready to face what was waiting for her outside.

I gently pressed the needle into her vein and she gasped, she jolted in my embrace, "It's okay, it's okay," I said, in assurance, "This will just help you relax, I promise."

"Nik-" She tried to say, her hand rubbing at her neck but the drug was faster as it quickly stripped her energy away.

I leaned closer, pressing my lips into her forehead, "It's okay," I whispered yet again before her eyelids fell down, and her body surrendered to a well-earned reprieve in my embrace.

I remained there for an hour, maybe two, despite the pain that coursed through my body. I couldn't bring myself to surrender to unconsciousness, my gaze unwaveringly fixed on her, unwilling to let go just yet.

The sudden sound of footsteps and metal rattling nearby jolted me from my vigil. I turned my head toward the source and I watched as the old metal door got pushed open and torn apart. Ronald halted to a sudden stop when he spotted us, his wild eyes widening in both relief and concern.

"Ronald, I never thought I'd say this, but," I mumbled, my voice too low and lazy, "But, I am so glad to see you."

"Oh my god," He gasped, rushing forward and dropping by our sides, "Are you okay? Is she okay? What happened?" A torrent of questions rushed out of him in panic, "We got an alarm when the explosion happened, I just left them and sped back here, I went crazy, god, tell me, how did this happen? Who did this? Why is Natalie passed out? Is she okay? Why do you look like you got beaten up? What the-"

"Ronald, breathe," I said, urging him to stop.

He sucked into a deep breath and I answered his main question, "She is fine," I said, "I just gave her a sedative to get her through the pain," I clarified.

He nodded, his gaze flickering all over her and noticing her bandaged-up leg. His gaze flickered to the door he barged through seconds ago, "The guys were behind me, they will get here any minute now."

I nodded and with a last look at Natalie, I shifted her in my embrace, "Okay, first, take her and get out of here," I said, "Get her to a hospital, quickly." I added, "And make sure she is okay."

He wrapped his arms, one around her back and the other under her legs, securely pulling her into his own embrace, "Okay, okay, you gonna come with us too, anyway," He said, like it was so simple.

I shook my head, "No, I won't."

His gaze flickered to me, confusion flickered all over his gaze. I tried to force my weakened body to get up and at that moment, the rest of the guys came in and assisted me.

I looked at Ronald and gave him a knowing look, one he seemed to understand only now, "Keep her safe, Ronald."

Because she was his responsibility now. Not mine. No longer mine.

*************************************

It was kind of a heartbreaking chapter so I felt drained and couldn't add more POVs. I wanted this to be a kind of closure for them before we dig into the rest of the drama.

Tell me your thoughts and opinions. I love to hear them out as always ;)

I know everyone hates Natalie but in my opinion, she is the only one fitting for Nik, I just can't imagine anyone else for him!

Anyways, not too much is left before this book reach an end, anyone else excited?

See ya soon :)