"Sit down, Moana ...! Don’t glare at me!" Roberto shouted.

Moana obeyed.

Roberto stared at her for a long time, as if appraising a piece of merchandise that was starting to go bad.

"Sean’s people are on the move," he said flatly. "They’re looking for you."

Moana swallowed hard. "You said I’d be safe."

Roberto gave a wry smile. "I said you’d be safe if you were useful."

Those words hit harder than a slap.

"Sean knows you’re under my watch," Roberto continued. "And that makes me a liability."

Moana shook her head quickly. "I’ve done everything you asked. I haven’t spoken. I—"

"You did what I allowed you to do," Roberto cut in. "That’s different from being loyal."

He stood up, pacing around Moana like a lazy predator.

"Sean won’t forgive betrayal," he said. "And Clara... she’s too meticulous in her movements."

Moana looked up. "Then why am I still allowed to live?"

Roberto stopped in front of her.

"Because you still have one last use," he replied softly. "You’re bait."

Moana’s blood ran cold.

Moana let out a small, almost hysterical laugh. "I have no one left."

Roberto leaned in, staring into her eyes.

"That’s why you’re perfect."

He turned toward the door.

"Oh, and," he said without turning around, "if you’re thinking of running away... remember one thing."

The door opened halfway.

"Out there isn’t freedom. Out there, there’s Sean."

The door closed.

Moana slumped to the floor. For the first time, she realized the bitterest truth: a traitor never wins. They’re just used—then discarded.

And deep inside her chest, a different kind of fear began to grow. Not fear of Roberto. But of the moment Sean finally found her.

Because when that moment came, no one would bargain for Moana’s life anymore.

"Sean is definitely going to kill me!" Moana winced.

The warehouse smelled of dampness and old metal.

Moana sat on a plastic chair, her hair tangled, her face blank. Roberto didn’t come by often anymore. He just sent his men—just enough to make sure Moana didn’t run away, didn’t die, and remained "usable" when needed.

That night, the sound of footsteps sounded different. Not hurried. Not loud.

The back door opened without being forced.

Two men entered first. Their movements were calm and precise. One went straight to the camera, the other approached the guard.

No screams. No gunshots.

The guards collapsed before they could ask a question.

Moana lifted her head as her restraints were cut. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Who... are you?" her voice was hoarse.

One of the men replied briefly, "We’re here on Leo’s orders."

That name made Moana close her eyes. Not out of relief, but fear.

She stood up, her legs trembling. A coat was immediately draped over her shoulders.

"You have to come with us," the man said again. "Now."

★★★

Outside the warehouse, a black car pulled up.

Before the door could close, another light flashed from the opposite direction.

Sean’s car.

"Stop!"

Leo’s men tensed immediately. Hands moved inside their jackets.

Sean’s car door opened. He stepped out slowly. Not panicked. Not in a hurry. As if he already knew he’d find them here.

Sean’s gaze fell on Moana.

The woman looked dirty, broken. No longer resembling the woman he’d once displayed by his side.

"You changed hands pretty quickly," he said coldly.

Moana shivered. "Sean—"

"Shut up," Sean cut her off without looking at her.

He stared at one of Leo’s men.

"Where’s your boss?"

Another voice answered from the shadows.

"Here."

Leo stepped forward. His face was pale but his eyes were sharp. No smile. No small talk.

"You’re late," Leo said. "Roberto’s already wavering."

Sean narrowed his eyes. "You released him without my permission."

"I released him from Roberto," Leo replied calmly. "Not from you."

Silence fell. Tense. Layered.

The henchmen on both sides stood ready, but none moved yet.

"Let’s get straight to the point," Leo continued. "I know you and Roberto are at each other’s throats. I know your business operations have stalled. And I know... you’re holding Clara hostage to pressure me."

That name made Sean’s jaw clench.

"What are you offering?" Sean finally asked.

Leo glanced briefly at Moana, then looked back at Sean.

"I can make Roberto give in without an open war," he said.

"No media. No bloodshed. All your business channels will return to normal."

Sean chuckled. "And what’s the price of that miracle?"

"Clara," Leo replied flatly.

"You have to let her go. Now. And after this, you’re not allowed to touch her life again."

Moana stared at Sean with wide eyes.

"Sean, don’t listen to him—"

Sean raised his hand. Moana fell silent immediately.

"You’re too confident," Sean said to Leo. "What guarantee do I have that you won’t turn on me after I release Clara?"

Leo took a step closer. His voice remained low.

"Because I don’t need a war with you," he said.

"I just need Clara to be alive, free, and left alone by you."

Sean stared at Leo for a long time.

Then he laughed—softly, without humor.

"The two of you," he said, "are a truly annoying pair."

He let out a long sigh.

"Fine," he said finally.

"I’ll release Clara. But after this, our business is done."

Leo nodded. "That’s what I want."

Sean signaled to his men.

"Contact the location. Release Clara. Escort her to safety."

He turned back to Leo.

"And Roberto?"

Leo stared at his phone screen, which had just lit up.

"He’ll call you," Leo said.

"In five minutes."

Sean smiled faintly.

"If you’re lying—"

"I don’t need to lie," Leo cut in. "Roberto is more afraid of me than he is of you."

★★★

Sean’s phone vibrated. Roberto’s name appeared on the screen.

Sean answered without saying a word.

On the other end, Roberto’s voice trembled.

"I... give up. I’ll clean up all the mess I’ve made. As long as you can win Leo’s heart."

Sean closed his eyes for a moment.

When he opened them again, his gaze was cold once more, yet slightly anxious.

"Let Clara go," he told his men.

He turned and walked away.

Behind him, Moana collapsed to the ground, her breath coming in sobs. No one came to her aid.

Leo merely glanced at her.

"I’m handing Moana over to you, Sean," he said, staring at Sean firmly. "You owe me a lot. For Moana’s freedom—your beautiful but foolish wife. And for Roberto suddenly deciding to back down and end the war with you."

Sean froze.

Leo walked toward his car. He paid no attention to Sean, who was still stunned.

In the backseat, Leo opened his phone. A message had come in.

From Clara.

"I’m safe."

Leo exhaled softly. "Thank God."

"The first game is over," he muttered.

"And Sean... he’s just lost the only hostage that made him feel powerful."

★★★

A few hours later.

The room wasn’t dark. In fact, it was too bright.

Moana was forced to sit in a single chair in the middle of the room. A spotlight was aimed directly at her face, making every bruise, every line of exhaustion, impossible to hide. In front of her, a long table. On it: several phones, a tablet, and a laptop with its screen already lit up.

Sean stood behind the table. Calm. Too calm.

"Don’t scream," he said flatly. "You’re not being tortured. You’re being shown."

Moana lifted her head. Her eyes trembled.

"You wouldn’t dare," she whispered. "You care about your reputation."

Sean smiled faintly.

"That was then. Before you forgot who I am."

He gave a small gesture.

The screens on the table lit up simultaneously.

The first video played.

Moana held her breath.

The footage was raw. Unedited to protect anyone. Her face was clear. The location was clear. The time and date were neatly displayed. One by one, snippets of the life she’d sold to Roberto—to his men, to his partners, to the people who paid not just for her body, but for influence.

Sean didn’t speak as the video played. He let Moana watch herself crumble.

"All of this..." Moana’s voice trembled, "I did it for us."

Sean stepped closer. He stopped right in front of Moana, bending down slightly so their eyes were level.

"You did it for power," he said softly.

"And you were wrong to think I was blind."

He stood up again, tapping the laptop screen.

"Now look at this."

Graphs, transactions, money flows, connections between names. Everything was neat. Too neat to deny.

"In thirty minutes," Sean continued, "this material will be out there. Mainstream media. Alternative media. Even channels you didn’t know existed."

Moana sobbed. "Sean, please—"

"And this," Sean cut in, his voice cold, "is the divorce papers."

He placed a thin folder on the table. His signature was already there.

"We don’t need to go to court," he said. "I have enough reason to end it all today."

Moana looked down. Her shoulders slumped.

Sean stared at her without emotion.

"You’re not my first betrayer," he said. "But you’re the dumbest."

"Sean, I did all that because I was in a really tough spot!" Moana whined.

"What the fuck! You’re a disgusting and a stupid woman who dares to mess around with Roberto! I’ll kill you Moana! I’ll kill you if you dare to team up with Roberto again!" Sean screamed.