The hospital room hung heavy with silence, the steady hum of machines muted beneath the relentless pounding of rain against the window—an echo of the turmoil swirling inside.
Elias stood by the window, his posture rigid, eyes sharp and steady. In the corner, Adeline's father sat quietly, his face drawn and weary, but alert. His gaze flicked between Elias and Adeline, feeling the weight of what was about to be said.
Elias broke the silence, his voice low and resolute."I have the results of the investigation. The kidnappings—the recent one, and the one from two years ago—were not random."
Adeline's father leaned forward, voice trembling but firm."Who is responsible?"
Elias didn't flinch."Lucas. He orchestrated both incidents. It was meant to destabilize the family... to send a message."
A bitter silence fell. Adeline's fingers clenched the edge of the bed, nails digging into the wood beneath.
Her father's face tightened with fury and anguish."That son of a bitch."
Adeline swallowed hard, fire burning in her chest."He won't get away with it."
Elias met her gaze with unwavering determination."We'll make sure of that. But we have to be careful—no mistakes."
Her father's voice hardened, resolute."Whatever it takes. I won't fail you."
Adeline looked between them, sensing the unbreakable strength forged by shared pain. A plan was no longer just a hope—it was inevitable.
"We take back what's ours," she said quietly. "We put an end to this."
Together, they stood—a triad bound by suffering and steely resolve. Outside, the storm worsened, but inside that room, a new fire was kindling—a vow of vengeance that would not be forgotten.