Chapter 13: The Last Choice

I read the message again.

You should have stayed invisible, Sage.

My hands went cold.

Daniel immediately called the police.

But before anyone could trace the number, another message arrived.

A location.

The old research facility outside the city.

Underneath it were three words.

Come alone. Midnight.

Callan looked at the screen.

Don't go.

I looked at him.

Five years ago, I would have listened.

Five years ago, I would have trusted him with everything.

Not anymore.

If I don't go, they'll keep coming after me.

Then I'll go with you.

No.

Sage.

This isn't about you protecting me anymore.

It's about me deciding what happens to my life.

Callan fell silent.

Daniel stepped between us.

She's right.

If Victor is behind this, he may be expecting Callan.

Then what do we do?

We let him think Sage is coming alone.

The police will be nearby.

I agreed.

At midnight, I arrived outside the abandoned facility.

The building looked exactly like something from a nightmare.

Broken windows.

Rusting metal.

Tall weeds swallowing the entrance.

I stepped inside.

The lights flickered on.

A voice echoed through the hallway.

Sage.

Victor.

I followed the voice into the main laboratory.

Victor Hale stood beside a table covered with files.

Elara was there too.

Her wrists were tied.

She looked terrified.

Elara?

She looked at me and immediately started crying.

Sage, I'm sorry.

I never wanted this to happen.

I laughed bitterly.

You didn't want it to happen?

You stole my credentials.

You framed me.

You started the fire.

You destroyed my life.

I was scared.

So you sacrificed me?

She lowered her head.

Victor interrupted.

Enough.

He stepped forward.

You have something that belongs to me.

The recording?

Yes.

Give it to me.

No.

Victor smiled.

Then Elara dies.

My heart stopped.

Before I could respond, the doors behind me opened.

Callan walked inside.

Victor's expression changed.

I told you to come alone.

Callan ignored him.

Let her go.

Victor laughed.

You still think you can protect them?

Callan stepped forward.

This ends tonight.

Victor raised a gun.

Everything happened at once.

Daniel's team stormed through the side entrance.

The lights went out.

Gunshots echoed through the laboratory.

I dropped to the floor.

Elara screamed.

Callan grabbed her and pulled her behind a metal table.

I crawled toward the exit.

Then I saw Victor running toward the files.

I followed him.

He grabbed a folder and turned.

You have no idea what you're destroying.

I know exactly what I'm destroying.

The lies.

I pulled the folder from his hands.

Victor shoved me backward.

I fell against the table.

Callan appeared behind him.

Don't touch her.

Victor raised his gun again.

Callan moved between us.

The shot rang out.

Callan fell.

Everything inside me stopped.

Callan!

Police officers tackled Victor before he could fire again.

I ran to Callan.

Blood spread across his shirt.

Stay with me.

His eyes opened slowly.

Sage...

Don't talk.

I pressed my hands against the wound.

For the first time in years, I didn't know what to do.

I was terrified.

Not because I still belonged to him.

But because despite everything, I didn't want him to die.

Callan looked at me.

I'm sorry.

Tears filled my eyes.

I know.

No.

He shook his head weakly.

You don't.

I should have chosen you.

I should have protected you.

I should have seen you.

The ambulance sirens grew louder outside.

Callan closed his eyes.

I grabbed his hand.

Don't you dare leave before I get the chance to forgive you.

His fingers tightened around mine.

And for the first time, I realized forgiveness didn't mean going back.

It meant finally letting go.