Chapter 170

• Lucia's POV
• Victor stepped from the woods’ shadows, his gun glinting under the moonlight, eyes wild with a madness I hadn’t seen before. “Family reunion’s over,” he growled, voice like gravel. I planted myself in front, heart pounding but steady. “This ends now, Victor.” Ryan shoved Sofia and Mateo behind him, his body a shield, blood still seeping from his shoulder. Elena, frail but fierce, limped forward, her voice soft but cutting. “Victor… stop this madness.” The air hung heavy, pine scent mixing with fear. My old Jeff gun felt like a brick in my hand, but I raised it, staring him down. He laughed, low and mean, but his hand shook just a bit. This was it.. the final face-off, no more running.
• My chest burned as I spat the words I’d held for years. “You destroyed us, Victor! Everything!” His eyes narrowed, but he smirked, like he still had control. “Built it all for you, Lucia. My legacy.” Lies. Always lies. They cracked something deep inside me, rage and hurt spilling out. Sofia peeked from behind Ryan, her face wet with tears but hard. “You’re not my dad anymore,” she said, voice small but brave, slicing through the quiet. My heart swelled.. my little sister, defying him. Victor’s face twitched, a flicker of pain, but he shook it off, gun steady again.