BONDED BY HATE

The air was heavy with tension as Heaven paced the confines of her room, her mind a hurricane of thoughts. The revelations Dylan shared haunted her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Samantha's face, Elena's fury, and Dylan's pain.

But why did she care?

He had destroyed her life—killed her parents, ripped her from her home, and turned her world upside down. And yet, beneath the cold exterior, she'd seen a man burdened by grief, betrayal, and wounds he never healed from.

"Why am I thinking about this?" she whispered to herself.

The door creaked open.

It was Michael.

"Micky? You shouldn't be up," Heaven rushed to him, helping him sit on the bed.

"I'm fine, sis," he said with a weak smile. "I heard shouting. Is something wrong?"

She hesitated. "There's going to be a war."

Michael frowned. "War? Like… guns and stuff?"

Heaven sighed, brushing his hair back gently. "Yes. Dylan and someone named Richard… they're fighting for control."

Michael looked away. "He scares me… Dylan. But… I don't think he's as bad as he pretends."

Heaven blinked. "Why would you say that?"

"Because when I was sick… he stayed. He thought I was asleep, but I heard him. He said, 'Don't take this one too.' I think he lost someone. Someone he loved."

Heaven's heart clenched. "Yeah… he did."

Suddenly, a loud knock sounded on the door. Jayden stepped in, serious as ever.

"You need to come with me," he told Heaven.

"Why?"

"Dylan wants you in the control room. There's something you need to see."

Heaven followed him through the winding halls until they reached a darkened room filled with screens. Surveillance footage played from different locations. One of the screens showed Richard standing atop a building—holding someone at gunpoint.

"Oh my God," Heaven gasped.

It was Noah—Jayden's younger brother.

Richard's voice came through the speakers:

"You've made your move, Dylan. Now I'm making mine. I wonder how far your little 'family' will go to protect your secrets."

Dylan stood still, arms folded. "He's making this personal."

Jayden clenched his fists. "He wants to provoke you."

Heaven stared at the screen, then looked at Dylan.

"What are you going to do?"

Dylan turned slowly to her. His eyes were cold again—strategic, calculating.

"I'm going to show Richard what happens… when you threaten what's mine."

---

Elsewhere – Richard's Base

Richard watched the footage being broadcast back to Dylan's base and smirked.

"Let's see how far the mighty Dylan Martin will go when he has to choose between power and the people he pretends to care about."

Elena watched him in silence, her expression unreadable.

"You think he'll crumble?" she asked.

"No," Richard said darkly. "I think… he'll burn everything to the ground."