BONDED BY HATE

Richard sat in silence, bound to the cold metal chair in the underground chamber. The stone walls surrounding him were thick, soundproof, and damp with years of secrets. His breathing was shallow, his ribs bruised, but his eyes—those calculating eyes—were sharp and burning with rage.

Footsteps echoed down the long hallway.

At first, he thought it was Dylan. The steps were slow, deliberate, but lacked the confident weight of his brother's stride. The door creaked open, revealing a tall, slim figure draped in a dark coat. The face was obscured by the shadows.

Richard's lips curved into a smirk. "Come to finish what Dylan couldn't?"

The figure stepped forward and removed the hood.

It was a woman.

Sharp green eyes, high cheekbones, and a scar that ran along the edge of her jawline. Richard's smirk faltered for a second—he recognized her.

"Elena," he breathed.

The daughter of a former underworld king. She had vanished years ago after her family was slaughtered in a turf war. Rumors said she died. Others said she escaped and went underground.

Now, here she was.

"I heard you were dumb enough to challenge your brother," Elena said coolly. "And now look at you. Caged like a dog."

Richard chuckled, but it ended in a cough. "Come to gloat?"

"I came to offer you a deal."

His brows lifted.

"I help you escape. You help me take down Dylan Martin," she said simply, her voice calm but deadly serious.

Richard tilted his head. "What's in it for you?"

Elena's eyes glinted. "Revenge."

---

Back at the Mansion – Heaven's Doubt

Heaven walked along the long hallway, arms folded tightly across her chest. The war had left a heavy weight on everyone. Dylan was back in his study, surrounded by files and silence, but there was something different about him now.

He was quieter.

Darker.

And she couldn't shake the fear that something bigger was coming.

She pushed open the door to Michael's room and smiled faintly. He was still resting, but his color had returned. A nurse checked his vitals while humming a lullaby under her breath.

"Thank you," Heaven whispered to her.

"He's stable now," the nurse said with a kind nod. "He just needs time."

Heaven sat by Michael's bedside, brushing his hair gently. "I'll protect you," she murmured. "No matter what."

---

Dylan – A Letter from the Past

Alone in his office, Dylan opened a drawer he hadn't touched in months. Inside was a single letter, the paper aged and worn. He unfolded it slowly.

It was from Samantha.

"If you're reading this, Dylan… then it means I'm no longer there to tell you this myself. Let go of your anger. Let go of your pain. You can't fight the world forever. Trust someone. Let them in. Live."

Dylan stared at the words, his hand tightening.

A knock at the door.

He quickly folded the letter and shoved it back in the drawer.

"Come in," he said.

It was Jayden.

"Boss, Richard's awake… and there's something else. He's not alone."

Dylan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"We spotted a woman. She's not one of ours. We're trying to identify her now."

Dylan's expression turned cold.

"So… it begins."