🌑 Episode 9
A storm raged outside.
A bigger storm raged inside.
Ariba stood in front of the mirror, staring into her own eyes.
These were the same eyes that once held dreams…
Now they searched only for the truth.
Ryan stood by the door.
"Don't you trust me?" he asked quietly.
Ariba let out a bitter laugh.
"Trust? The day I found out you hid the truth about my father's death… that was the day I changed."
Silence filled the room.
On the table lay the file marked Project Phoenix —
proof that her father's death had not been an accident…
but a carefully planned execution.
And the most painful truth —
Ryan had known.
"I didn't want to lose you," Ryan said, his voice shaking.
"I just needed more time."
"You needed time," Ariba replied coldly.
"But my life stopped the moment he died."
Suddenly —
a loud knock on the door.
Both of them froze.
Police.
"Mr. Ryan, you are under arrest."
Ryan looked at Ariba one last time.
There was love in his eyes…
but no trust left between them.
The door closed behind him.
The house fell silent.
Ariba slowly sat on the floor.
Tears welled up —
but she didn't cry.
Because crying would mean weakness.
And she was no longer weak.
She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"It's done," she said calmly.
"Now I want the whole truth."
A mysterious voice answered from the other end.
"Are you ready? Once you know everything… there's no turning back."
Ariba closed her eyes.
Her voice was steady. Strong.
"I am not the same anymore."
To Be Continued… 🔥