Maria didn't sleep.
Even after security swept the entire building, even after the cameras confirmed Chuka had climbed onto the balcony and vanished seconds later, her heart wouldn't rest.
It wasn't just fear now.
It was fury.
This man had violated her before, taken something she never gave, and now, he wanted to haunt her future too?
No.
Not again.
---
The next morning…
Alexander arrived from London without warning. His eyes were bloodshot from the overnight flight, but the moment he saw Maria and Junior safe, something inside him relaxed.
Maria, however, was already in war mode.
"We can't keep reacting," she told him as they walked into his office. "We need to strike first. We need to trap Chuka."
Alexander studied her. "That's dangerous."
"I know. But he knows me, Alex. He wants me. And he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."
Alexander's hands clenched. "I should've finished him years ago."
Maria turned to face him, her voice steady. "Then let's finish him now."
---
Later that day…
With the help of the private investigator Maria hired, they uncovered a safehouse Chuka was rumored to use—an abandoned colonial house just outside town.
Alexander wanted to go himself, but Maria had another idea.
"I'll lure him out," she said.
"No."
"You said you trust me."
"I do. But this is different. He's violent, Maria."
"I'm not that girl in the hotel anymore," she said. "And I'm not afraid to end this. Not for me. For our son."
Alexander looked at her—really looked—and realized she was right.
---
Midnight plan…
They sent a message through one of Chuka's old contacts, pretending to be Maria, begging for peace. Pleading to talk. Asking him to meet her—alone.
It was bait.
And it worked.
Chuka replied:
"Come alone. Old pier, midnight. No tricks."
---
Back at the penthouse…
As Maria prepared to leave for the pier, Alexander stopped her, placing something small and metallic in her hand.
"A tracking pin," he said. "And I'll be close. You won't face him alone."
Maria nodded. Her pulse raced, but her resolve was iron.
This time, she wouldn't run.
This time, she'd face the monster.