Chapter 8 - The Man Who Came for Rory’s Heart
Silas attacked the mansion at midnight.
But Rory had changed everything.
The old security system was gone.
New systems.
New guards.
Independent oversight.
Multiple escape routes.
The twins were moved to a secure location.
I stayed with Rory.
He wanted me gone.
I refused.
“You said I'm family.”
“Yes.”
“Then I stay.”
He nodded.
The attack came from the west.
Then the south.
Then underground.
Silas knew the house.
But Rory knew Silas.
They moved through hidden corridors.
Tommy led the defensive team.
I stayed in the control room.
I watched the cameras.
Then I saw something.
A man entered through the garden.
I recognized him.
Marcus.
He had escaped the hospital.
Rory saw him too.
He raised his weapon.
Marcus raised his hands.
“I came to help.”
Rory didn't trust him.
“You shot my father.”
Silas's order.
“I was wrong.”
“You hurt the twins.”
“I protected them.”
Rory stared.
Marcus explained.
He had been working secretly against Silas.
The teddy bear.
The surveillance.
He had tried to sabotage it.
But Celeste had discovered him.
He had been forced to cooperate.
Rory looked at me.
“Can we trust him?”
I listened.
Marcus's voice shook.
He was telling the truth.
“Yes.”
Rory nodded.
Marcus became an ally.
The attack continued.
Silas reached the main hall.
He stood at the bottom of the staircase.
“Rory!”
Rory appeared above him.
“This ends now.”
Silas laughed.
“You think you can change what this family is?”
“I already did.”
“You're still my son.”
“No.”
Rory stepped forward.
“I am my daughters' father.”
Silas fired.
Rory ducked.
Tommy returned fire.
Silas escaped.
The house was damaged.
Several men were arrested.
But Silas remained free.
The next clue came from a bank account.
He had transferred money to a private island.
The final meeting would happen there.
Rory wanted to go alone.
I refused.
He sighed.
“You never listen.”
“No.”
“That's becoming a problem.”
“Maybe.”
He smiled.
We traveled.
The island was abandoned.
An old mansion stood near the sea.
Silas waited inside.
The twins were not there.
That was the trap.
He wanted Rory alone.
He wanted the family to think the girls were missing.
But they were safe.
Rory had anticipated the trick.
The police surrounded the island.
Silas realized too late.
He tried to escape.
I found him first.
He stood on the cliff.
He looked at me.
“You know what I hate?”
“What?”
“You.”
“Why?”
“Because you were nothing.”
I smiled.
“And now?”
“Now you're the one person Rory would die for.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He frowned.
“He would live for me.”
That answer surprised him.
Rory arrived.
Silas laughed.
“You chose a maid.”
Rory looked at me.
“I chose the woman who saved my daughters.”
Silas shook his head.
“You don't love her.”
Rory answered:
“I do.”
Silence.
He looked at me.
“I do.”
My heart broke open.
Silas raised his gun.
Rory stepped between us.
Police moved in.
Silas surrendered.
The final chapter of the old empire had ended.
Back home, the twins ran toward us.
Rory held them.
Then Lily asked:
“Did the bad man go away?”
“Yes.”
“Forever?”
Rory looked at me.
“Yes.”
That night, Rory and I sat beneath the garden lights.
He took my hand.
“I have something to ask.”
“What?”
“Stay.”
“I already am.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“Stay as my wife.”
I stared at him.
“When did you decide?”
“When the teddy bear broke.”
I laughed.
“That was a terrible proposal.”
“I've never been good at romance.”
“You were better at threatening people.”
He laughed.
I nodded.
“Yes.”
He kissed me.
Inside, the twins cheered.
May you like
They had been listening.
Of course they had.
