It had been a year since the storm had passed. A year since the war had ended, and life had begun to rebuild itself. The mansion, once a battleground, had become a sanctuary—a place of peace for Eva and Alexander. They had faced the worst, fought through the darkness, and now, they were stronger for it. Together, they had forged something unbreakable—a love that had survived the chaos and emerged even more solid.
But peace, as they had learned, was a fragile thing.
The Morning After
Eva awoke to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains of their bedroom. She stretched lazily, the cool sheets tangled around her. The scent of coffee wafted in from the kitchen, and she smiled, knowing it was Alexander. He had a habit of making coffee every morning, even when she had told him he didn't need to.
She got out of bed, wrapping herself in a robe before making her way down the stairs. The house was quiet, calm. The storm had passed, both outside and inside. The weight of the past seemed lighter now, though the memories were always there—hidden beneath the surface, reminders of the battles they had fought.
In the kitchen, Alexander stood by the counter, pouring two cups of coffee. His gaze was focused on the window, but the moment he saw her, his eyes softened, and a smile tugged at his lips.
"You're awake," he said, his voice warm.
Eva smiled and walked over, slipping her arms around him from behind. "I didn't mean to wake up so late. It's just so peaceful this morning."
He turned, cupping her face in his hands. "You deserve it, Eva. After everything we've been through, you deserve every peaceful moment we get."
She leaned into his touch, feeling the familiar comfort of his embrace. They had been through so much together, and every day now felt like a gift. But even in their peace, Eva couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming—something that would challenge everything they had built.
A Visit from the Past
The tranquility of their morning was interrupted by the sharp sound of the doorbell. Eva and Alexander exchanged a glance. It was early—too early for any business calls.
"Who could that be?" Eva asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Alexander's expression darkened, his instincts kicking in. "I don't know, but we'll find out."
He set his coffee cup down, and together they moved toward the front door. Alexander was the first to open it, and Eva felt her pulse quicken as a figure stepped into view—a figure she hadn't expected to see again.
It was Olivia.
She stood there, her posture stiff, her eyes filled with a mixture of arrogance and uncertainty. Her face had changed in the year since their last encounter. The woman who had once been a thorn in their side now looked like a shadow of her former self.
"I didn't think I'd see you again," Alexander said, his voice low and cautious.
Olivia looked past him at Eva, her gaze sharp and calculating. "I'm sure you didn't. But we need to talk, Alexander. There's something you need to know. Something I should've told you a long time ago."
Eva's hand instinctively tightened around Alexander's arm. She could sense the tension rising between them. Olivia was here for a reason, and whatever it was, it couldn't be good.
"What is it?" Alexander asked, his voice tight with suspicion.
Olivia stepped forward, her eyes glancing at Eva one last time before locking with Alexander's. "You're not the only one with enemies, Alexander. And I'm not here to beg for mercy. I'm here to warn you."
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A New Enemy
The mansion, which had once been a symbol of security, now felt too small, too exposed. Alexander led Olivia into the living room, and Eva remained by his side, her senses on high alert.
Olivia took a seat without waiting for an invitation. She seemed more composed than she had been in the past, but her presence still stirred something cold in Eva's chest.
"Who's threatening you now, Olivia?" Alexander's voice was steady but sharp, as if he already had an idea of what was coming.
Olivia met his gaze, her eyes hardening. "It's not just me this time. It's you. It's your empire. There's a new player in town, and they've made it clear they want you gone. And I... I think I know who it is."
Eva felt a chill run down her spine. She stepped closer to Alexander, instinctively placing a hand on his arm. "What do you mean? Who would want to take Alexander down now? We've already been through enough."
Olivia glanced at her briefly but then turned her attention back to Alexander. "It's not someone you've met. Not yet. But I've heard whispers. This person... they're dangerous. More dangerous than James, more ruthless than anyone we've ever faced. And they're coming for everything you've built."
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, neither Alexander nor Eva spoke. The idea of a new enemy—someone even more powerful than those they had already defeated—was a terrifying thought.
Alexander's jaw tightened as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Why should I believe you? You've betrayed me before, Olivia. Why should I trust anything you say now?"
Olivia's lips tightened into a thin line. "Because I have no choice. This person, whoever they are, has already made their move. You're not the only target. They want me too. But I know something about them, something you need to know."
Eva could see the struggle in Alexander's eyes. Trusting Olivia was a risk, a dangerous one. But there was no denying the fear in her voice—the urgency in her words.
"Tell me what you know," Alexander finally said, his voice resolute.
Olivia nodded, her gaze sharp. "I don't know much. But I know they're tied to old enemies of your father. This person... they've been watching you for a while. They've been waiting for the right moment to strike."
Eva felt a wave of dread wash over her. Who could possibly be this dangerous? And why hadn't they heard of them before?
"What's their next move?" Alexander asked, his voice steady but filled with determination. "What do they want from me?"
Olivia hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "They want your empire. But more than that, they want to break you. They want you to lose everything, Alexander. Your wealth, your power... your family."
Eva's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't just an attack on their business—it was an attack on everything they had built. And now, it seemed, they would have to face a threat unlike anything they had ever known before.