The evening was calm as Zayden finished packing his overnight bag in the master bedroom. Victoria sat on the edge of the bed, watching him with a mix of pride and nervousness. She hated the idea of him leaving, but she also knew how much his work as a doctor meant to him.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Zayden asked, turning to her, his brow furrowed with concern. “I can still cancel this trip.”
Victoria shook her head, managing a small smile. “You’ve told me how important this surgery is. They need you, Zayden. Go. Elena and I will be fine. The mansion is basically a fortress.”
He sighed, walking over to kneel in front of her, his hands resting on her knees. “I don’t like leaving you, especially with everything going on. The thought of you and the baby being in danger while I’m halfway across the world—”
“Zayden,” she interrupted gently, cupping his face. “We’ll be okay. There’s security everywhere, and Elena’s staying with me. You’ve thought of everything. Just focus on your work and come back safely.”
He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes briefly. “You’re stronger than I am, you know that?”
Victoria chuckled softly. “I just know when to pick my battles. And right now, your patient needs you.”
Standing, Zayden pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering for a moment. “Alright,” he said, his voice steady but reluctant. “I’ll be back in three days. Call me if anything happens. Anything at all.”
“I will,” she promised, walking him to the door.
Elena was lounging in the living room when they came downstairs, flipping through a magazine. She looked up, her eyes narrowing playfully. “Leaving your pregnant fiancée with me, the bad influence? Brave move, Dr. Huntington.”
Zayden managed a small smile, though his worry was evident. “Take care of her, Elena.”
“Oh, you know I will,” she said, waving him off. “Go save some lives. We’ve got this.”
With one last glance at Victoria, Zayden stepped out, leaving the two women in the large, secured mansion.
That night, Victoria and Elena made themselves comfortable in the spacious living room. The security team was stationed outside, and the mansion’s advanced surveillance system gave them an added sense of safety. Still, Victoria couldn’t completely shake the unease that had settled in her chest since Zayden left.
“So,” Elena said, pouring herself a glass of sparkling water and handing one to Victoria. “What’s the plan for the next three days? Binge some trashy reality shows? Paint our nails? Maybe I teach you how to gamble?”
Victoria laughed despite herself, shaking her head. “Zayden would kill us.”
“That’s why we do it when he’s not here,” Elena said with a wink. “Seriously, though, you need to relax. All this stress isn’t good for you or the baby.”
“I know,” Victoria said softly, her hand resting on her belly. “But it’s hard. Every time I think things are calming down, something happens. The skull, Damian escaping, and now this constant threat from Xanos…”
Elena leaned closer, her expression turning serious. “Look, I know it’s scary. But you’ve got a whole army of people on your side. Zayden, Tobias, Jonathan, me—we’re not going to let anything happen to you. You’re not alone in this.”
Victoria nodded, her eyes misty. “Thank you, Elena. I don’t say it enough, but I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Damn right, you don’t,” Elena quipped, lightening the mood. “Now, let’s distract ourselves with something mindless. Pick a movie, and I’ll make popcorn.”
Victoria smiled, grabbing the remote as Elena headed to the kitchen.
Later that night, after the movie ended and the house fell silent, Victoria and Elena retreated to their respective rooms. The mansion felt cavernous without Zayden’s presence, and Victoria found herself lying awake, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. She closed her eyes, willing herself to relax, when suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the night.
Her eyes flew open. Was that… a gunshot?
A second shot rang out, unmistakable this time. Victoria’s heart pounded as she scrambled out of bed, grabbing her phone. She dialed Elena, who picked up on the second ring.
“Did you hear that?” Elena whispered, her voice filled with alarm.
“Yes,” Victoria whispered back, clutching her phone tightly. “Gunshots. Stay in your room. I’m calling security.”
“No way,” Elena said, her voice firm. “I’m coming to you.”
Before Victoria could protest, Elena burst into her room, barefoot and clutching what looked like a lamp as a weapon. “Okay,” she said, shutting the door behind her, “what’s the plan?”
“I was about to call the security team,” Victoria said, her hands trembling as she navigated her phone. “Stay quiet.”