Peace never lasts forever.
Not in a world built on power.
Not in a life as intense as Alexander Reyes'.
đ Calm Before the Storm
The morning sun painted the penthouse in gold.
Isabella stood by the balcony, their daughter in her arms, gently swaying as she hummed a soft tune. The city below moved like a distant dreamâcars, people, noiseânone of it touching the quiet happiness inside their home.
Behind her, Alexander adjusted his cufflinks, watching them.
His world.
His reason.
"You're staring again," Isabella said softly without turning.
"I can't help it," he replied, walking toward her. "You make it hard not to."
He wrapped his arms around both of them, pressing a kiss to Isabella's temple and then to their daughter's tiny head.
"Everything feels⊠peaceful," Isabella whispered.
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
Because deep downâŠ
Men like him didn't believe in peace.
Only pauses between storms.
đ° The News That Changed Everything
It started quietly.
A headline.
A whisper.
A name that should have stayed buried.
Luca Escapes Maximum Security Prison.
Alexander's phone slipped slightly in his hand.
His jaw tightened.
"Sir?" his assistant asked over the call.
"Find out everything," Alexander said coldly. "Now."
Across the room, Isabella watched him.
She recognized that look.
Danger.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice cautious.
Alexander turned slowly.
"Luca⊠escaped."
Silence.
The air shifted.
Like the calm had just shattered.How It Happened
Weeks earlierâŠ
Victoria sat in a quiet office, her father beside her.
Across from them sat Mr. Knight, a powerful figure with connections deep enough to bend systems.
"I'm not asking for forgiveness," Victoria's father said calmly. "But I am asking for a chance."
Mr. Knight leaned back, studying him.
"And your daughter?"
Victoria looked down.
"I made mistakes," she admitted quietly. "I let jealousy control me."
Mr. Knight nodded slowly.
"Alexander has already won. Destroying you further gains nothing."
With influence, money, and carefully placed pressureâ
Victoria was released.
But Luca?
Luca didn't wait for permission.
đ The Escape
The prison lights flickered.
A guard collapsed.
Keys dropped.
Doors unlocked.
Chaos.
And in the middle of it allâ
Luca walked.
Calm.
Calculated.
Free.
As he stepped into the night, he smiled.
"AlexanderâŠ" he whispered.
"Round two."