As the sun descended, the cabin's windows let in golden light that painted the interior in shades of crimson and orange. Dorian sat at the little table, his gaze determined and concentrated, his face lined with fatigue. The screen of the phone he was holding was black, but the weight of the conversation he was about to conduct appeared to loom large above it.
Ana was standing close by with her arms folded and a worried expression on her face. She whispered, "You've been looking at that phone for an hour."
"I understand," Dorian said softly. "I can't make this decision lightly."
She stepped forward, looking into his eyes. "Dorian, what decision? What do you intend to accomplish?
With a groan, he combed through his hair. "Ana, I have to stop this. For you. For the twins. For us.
Her voice wavered as she questioned, "What does that mean?"
After hesitating, Dorian looked her in the eyes. It entails giving up all I've worked so hard to achieve. My business, my standing—everything.
Ana gasped for air. "You're going to leave everything behind?"
With firmness, he responded, "Yes, if it keeps you safe." "The empire I built is the sole reason Vincent and Lila are powerful. They lose their power if I take it down. They won't have any motivation to pursue us.
"But what about all of your hard work?" Ana's voice broke as she asked. "You started the business from scratch. It is your heritage.
With a calm seriousness in his voice, Dorian remarked, "My legacy is standing right in front of me." "You. The twins. Nothing else is important.
Ana's eyes welled up with tears as she tried to comprehend what he had said. "Dorian, this is too much. You don't need to sacrifice everything for us.
He remarked, "I ought to have done it years ago." "Before I let the people I care about suffer because of my ambition."
---
It was Dorian who called that evening. His voice was firm as he explained the circumstances of his resignation to his business partners and lawyer in a quick but serious chat. His demeanor was stern, but as he hung up, it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
He turned to Ana and said simply, "It's done."
Her fingers were shaking as she stretched for his hand. "Are you certain of this?"
He remarked, "I've never been more certain of anything."
---
They loaded their things into a small, inconspicuous automobile early the following morning. The twins were silent because they understood how serious the situation was. While Alaric sat quietly next to Isolde, his big eyes darting between his parents, Isolde gripped her beloved bear.
"Where are we heading?" Finally, Alaric inquired in a low voice.
Dorian turned to him and said, "To a new home." "Somewhere secure."
"Will the evildoers discover us?" With a quivering voice, Isolde asked.
Dorian put his hands on their little shoulders and knelt down. "No, my love," he answered softly. "I'll protect you from harm. Never.
Ana's heart hurt as she observed the conversation. In spite of everything, Dorian had fulfilled her dream of becoming a parent.
---
The anxiety in the car was evident during the lengthy and silent trip to the hiding place. Dorian had picked a secluded cottage tucked up in the foothills, out of sight and only accessible by a twisting, narrow road.
The cottage was surrounded by a thick forest, which gave them a sense of protection and seclusion. The air was cold and clear when they arrived. The twins' laughter reverberated through the trees as they hurried to investigate the tiny clearing.
Ana watched them from the car, feeling both relieved and a little uneasy. She said softly, "Do you really think this will be enough?"
Dorian moved to stand next to her, staring at the twins. "It must be," he stated. "I refuse to allow them to take this away from us."
---
Ana and Dorian sat on the terrace that night while the twins slept peacefully in their shared room and the stars were shining overhead. Though Ana could feel the weight of unsaid words lingering in the air, the quiet between them was pleasant.
The hush was eventually broken when she stated, "You sacrificed everything for us."
Dorian's face softened as he turned to face her. "Ana, that wasn't a sacrifice. It was a decision. And I would definitely do it again.
Tears threatened to fall from her clenched throat. "I'm not sure if I've earned this. if we are deserving.
"You do," he asserted. "I've never been able to offer you what you deserve. But now that I'm here, I won't be leaving.
She grasped his hand and entwined her fingers with his. "I'd like to think so," she said.
With a firm voice, he added, "Then let me prove it to you."
As they sat in silence, Ana let herself lean toward him for the first time in years, putting her head on his shoulder. Even though the future was still unknown, she had a glimmer of optimism at that very moment.
---
Their tranquility, however, was fleeting.
Dorian woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of gravel crunching outside. Every instinct in his body warned him something was amiss, and he stiffened.
He softly got out of bed and reached for the little revolver he had stashed in his backpack. Ana's eyelids fluttered wide as she awoke. Whispering, "What is it?"
"Remain here," he murmured softly.
She sat up and firmly answered, "No." "I won't leave you to deal with this alone."
After he paused, he nodded. "Remain behind me."
Silently, they made their way through the cabin, the tension high as they got closer to the front door. Dorian's jaw tensed as he looked through the curtain and saw the dim form of a man in the darkness.
With an anxious tone, he said to Ana, "Take the twins and hide."
"Dorian—"
"Go," he said in a tone that had no room for debate.
Reluctantly, Ana went to the twins' room and gathered them up in a hurry. She trembled as she said, "Come on, babies."
With a solid hold on the weapon, Dorian went outdoors. "Show yourself," he said in a stern and icy tone.
With a hood covering their face, the person moved into the moonlight. A rough voice asked, "Blackwood, do you really think you can run forever?"
Dorian tightened his jaw. "This is your final opportunity to leave."
The sound of the man's laughter was insulting and harsh. "Making threats is not your place."
Another person emerged from the shadows before Dorian could reply, and then another. Despite being outnumbered, he resisted giving up.
As the shouts outside got louder, Ana's heart raced as she held the twins close inside the cabin.
Then the darkness was broken by a single shot.
"Dorian!" Ana's voice was laced with terror as she sobbed.
As the sound of footsteps reverberated outside, the twins clutched to her, their eyes wide with fear.
When the door cracked open and Dorian staggered inside, his clothing stained with blood, Ana's breath caught.
His voice was trembling but solid as he said, "It's okay." "We're secure."
Ana knew their battle was far from finished, though, as he fell to the ground.