“Let go of her!” my husband roared, his voice cutting through the madness.

I was torn, pulled between two forces—one who claimed to protect me, and another who swore he knew the truth. My heart pounded, my chest burning with fear.

“Move!” the stranger barked, yanking me into the hall.

But my husband lunged forward, grabbing me by the other arm. For a terrifying second, I was caught between them, both refusing to let go.

“Don’t trust him!” my husband snarled, his face inches from mine. “He’s the reason they’re here!”

The stranger’s eyes flashed. “Liar. You brought this on yourself!”

I screamed, pulling my hands free. “Enough! Both of you!” My voice broke, trembling, but it silenced them for a heartbeat.

The gunfire outside grew louder. Men shouted commands, boots pounded closer. We had no time to argue, no time to uncover the truth.

“Pick a side,” the stranger hissed, his eyes locking onto mine. “Now.”

My chest heaved. My mind screamed for answers, but my body… my body wanted to survive. “I—I can’t—”

Before I could speak, the door to the hallway exploded inward, splinters flying. Armed men stormed in, guns raised.

My husband shoved me behind him, fury burning in every line of his body. “You’ll take her over my corpse.”

The stranger smirked coldly, pulling out a concealed blade from his coat. “That can be arranged—for both of us.”

The men advanced. My scream lodged in my throat. Suddenly, my husband grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the secret passage hidden behind the bookcase.

“Run!” he shouted.

The stranger followed, blade gleaming, not against us—but against the men blocking our path. In the chaos, he cut down one, two, three, moving with terrifying precision.

The corridor twisted into darkness as we fled. My lungs burned, my legs stumbled, but adrenaline forced me on.

“Why is this happening?” I cried. “Who are they?”

“Enemies,” my husband growled. “Mine. Ours. And they won’t stop until—” He cut himself off, eyes hardening.

“Until what?!” I shouted.

The stranger, running just behind us, answered instead. “Until you’re dead.”

My blood froze. I stumbled, nearly falling, but my husband caught me. His grip was desperate, protective, but his silence was louder than any truth he could have spoken.

We crashed into a hidden chamber, the door slamming shut behind us. My chest heaved as I backed against the wall, staring at the two men—one my husband, the other a scarred ghost from the shadows.

“Talk,” I demanded, tears streaming down my face. “No more secrets. I deserve to know why I’m being hunted.”

Neither spoke. Their silence cut me deeper than any blade.

Finally, the stranger stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. “You’re the key. That’s why they want you. That’s why he married you.”

My heart stopped. I turned to my husband, praying, begging for denial. For once, tell me it’s a lie.

But his eyes… his eyes gave me nothing.

“You—” My voice cracked. “You married me because of them?”

He didn’t answer.

The ground beneath my feet felt like it crumbled away. Every kiss, every promise, every cruel word—was it all a lie?

The stranger’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Choose wisely, wife. He might protect you tonight. But tomorrow… he might be the one to destroy you.”

And in that moment, with both men staring at me like predators circling prey, I realized—

I wasn’t just caught between love and hate.

I was caught between life and death.

 Her husband steps closer, his lips barely parting as he finally whispers something that will change everything… but the words are cut off as another explosion rocks the chamber.