The team started to break up, each person grabbing their gear and getting ready for their tasks. As they made their way to the door, Zayden called out.

"Just one more thing."

Everyone paused and turned to look at him.

"We’re not just looking for answers anymore," Zayden said, his tone serious and commanding attention.

"We’re in this for Emma, who deserves to know the truth. For Ayla, who’s been dealing with trauma for fourteen years. For Aylin, who lost both parents to a conspiracy she didn’t even know about. And for everyone else who’s been hurt by Alexander and Alpha’s games."

He took a moment for his words to sink in.

"This isn’t just about getting revenge or seeking justice. It’s about making sure that no one else has to deal with the lies we’ve uncovered. So let’s do this right. Let’s be thorough, cautious, and ready for whatever comes our way."

Nods and determined looks filled the room, a team united by their goal.

"Alright," Zayden said softly. "Let’s get to work."

As they headed out, Leo hung back for a second and grabbed Selina’s arm.

"Be careful out there," he said quietly.

Selina glanced up, surprised. "I’m always careful."

"I know. But still." The usual playful vibe was gone from him, replaced by real concern. "You’re digging into files that Alpha wanted to keep hidden. If he finds out you’re looking—"

"He won’t find out," Selina cut in. "I know how to cover my tracks."

"You learned from the best," Leo agreed. "But the best can slip up. Just... stay safe, okay?"

Something in his voice made Selina pause. She looked at him and saw the worry in his expression.

"Why do you care so much?" she asked softly.

Leo smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Because someone has to. And apparently, I’m crazy enough to care about someone who works for the man who tried to kill the woman I care about."

"Worked," Selina corrected. "Past tense."

"Alright. It worked." Leo’s grin got more real. "That means you’re on our team now, and I have to look out for you."

"I can take care of myself."

"I get that. But maybe you don’t have to handle everything alone anymore."

Selina didn’t know what to say to that. She just nodded once, squeezed his arm for a moment, and walked away.

Leo watched her go, deep in thought.

Reyes popped up next to him. "You’ve got it bad, man."

"Knock it off," Leo said, not genuinely annoyed.

"I’m just saying, the way you look at her..."

"I said knock it off, Reyes."

Reyes chuckled. "Whatever you say, boss."

They walked out together, leaving Zayden and Aylin by themselves in the office.

Aylin was still at her laptop, fingers flying over the keys, but Zayden could see the tension in her shoulders and the strain around her eyes.

"Aylin," he said gently.

She didn’t glance up. "I’m fine."

"You’re not."

"I’m fine," she shot back, more firmly this time. "I just need to focus on work. I need to find the answers."

Zayden moved closer, softly closing her laptop. "The answers will still be there in five minutes. Just talk to me."

Aylin’s hands turned into fists. "What do you want me to say, Zayden? That I’m scared? That discovering my whole childhood was a lie has wrecked everything I thought I knew? That the man who killed my mom might’ve killed my dad too, and I don’t know how to deal with that?"

"Yes," Zayden replied simply. "Say all of that. Don’t keep it bottled up."

Aylin’s eyes filled with tears she wouldn’t let fall. "If I start, I won’t be able to stop. And we don’t have time for me to fall apart."

"Then don’t fall apart," Zayden said. "But don’t act like you’re made of stone either. You’re allowed to feel, Aylin. It’s okay to be mad, scared, and hurt."

"I can’t," she whispered. "If I let myself feel it all, I’ll drown."

Zayden gently pushed Aylin’s chin up, coaxing her to look him in the eyes. "I’ll be right here to help you back up. You’re not in this alone."

Tears finally streamed down her face, and Aylin took a shaky breath. "I just don’t know how to handle this, how to keep going when everything keeps getting worse."

"One step at a time," Zayden said softly. "One answer at a time. One day at a time. And you don’t have to face it on your own. You’ve got a team. You’ve got people who care about you."

"Do I have you?" The question came out so quietly, showing a side of Aylin she rarely let anyone see.

Zayden’s expression turned warm. "Yeah, Aylin. You’ve definitely got me."

For a moment, they stood there together, the weight of everything hanging over them, but somehow it felt easier with each other.

Then Aylin straightened up and wiped her eyes. "Alright, five minutes of feeling down is done. Time to get back to work?"

"Time to get back to work," Zayden agreed.

As Aylin opened her laptop and got back into her research, Zayden stuck around, a quiet reminder that she didn’t have to deal with everything by herself.

For the first time in forever, Aylin found herself thinking that maybe, just maybe, she could get through this, as long as she had her team, and as long as she had him.

*****

Alexander was alone in his study, the late afternoon sunlight stretching long shadows across his mahogany desk. His fingers tapped against the armrest of his leather chair, a rare show of nerves from a man who had always prided himself on being in control.

Emma’s words from yesterday kept playing in his head, like a broken record.

The day before—

They had been driving in the car, leaving the hospital after checking on the friend who had collapsed. Emma was chatting away; she always filled him in on everything and shared every little detail of her life. It made his job both easier and trickier at the same time.