Chapter 4: The Turning Point
Arthur stood up, pacing the small room. The narrative he had built in his head over the last hour—a narrative of a gold-digging traitor—shattered completely. In its place was a mirror reflecting his own failure. He had immense power, limitless resources, and yet the woman he loved felt she couldn't ask him for help.
""She must have been terrified,"" Arthur whispered, stopping by the fogged window. ""She thought if she told me, they would kill Maya.""
""They likely would have,"" Leo said practically. ""The Volkovs don't leave loose ends. And now, because you are alive, Maya's life is forfeit. And Elena's will be next.""
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Arthur placed his hands on the cold glass, feeling the vibration of the distant city traffic. A lesser man would run. A rational man would call the authorities, board a private jet, and disappear to a private island until the dust settled. But Arthur had spent his life accumulating wealth to insulate himself from the world; he realized now that true strength was using it to shield others.
He turned back to Leo, his eyes completely changed. The fear was gone. ""We aren't hiding, Leo. We're going to get her sister back.""
