The silence in the room was unbearable.

Daniel stood still, his back turned, his shoulders tense like he was carrying the weight of the entire world.

Zoey watched him carefully, her heart pounding with fear… and hope.

This was it.

His decision.

The one that would determine everything.

“I need time,” Daniel had said.

But time was the one thing none of them had.

Lucas stepped forward, his voice firm. “Every second you waste puts them at risk.”

Daniel didn’t turn.

“I said I need time,” he repeated, more sharply this time.

Zoey swallowed hard.

She could feel it—his resistance, his fear… his pride.

But beneath all of that…

She...