Chapter 139

Lily stood amidst the towering trees, the wind stirring the leaves around her. The air was thick with tension. Her eyes scanned the forest, alert for any sign of movement. She knew Ariana would come. This was it—the end of a long, brutal battle that had cost her so much.

Lily’s phone buzzed. She glanced down. A message from Jacob.

_"We’re in position. Just give the signal."_

She slipped the phone back into her pocket, heart pounding, but her face remained calm. This was her fight. She had to face Ariana alone, just as they had both agreed. But it was always good to have backup, just in case.

Far away, Alexander sat in a room with a television screen showing the wrecked car. The media outlets had been all over it for hours, speculating on who was in the vehicle and whether anyone had survived the crash. His mind was in turmoil, desperate for answers, his gut telling him something wasn’t right. He couldn't believe that Lily had been in that car.

Then, a breaking news alert flashed across the screen. The anchor announced:

_"New details have emerged from the car crash earlier today. Authorities have confirmed that there were no bodies found in the wreckage. It appears the vehicle was empty at the time of the accident."_

Alexander’s heart stopped for a moment. No one was in the car. That meant Lily was alive. She hadn’t been in the vehicle. Relief washed over him, but with it came urgency. Where was she? And what was she planning?

Meanwhile, back in the forest, Lily paced slowly, keeping her senses sharp. The quiet seemed to stretch for miles, but her gut told her Ariana wasn’t far off. Their years of enmity were coming to a head. Only one of them would leave here victorious.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the trees—Ariana.

She wore a dark trench coat, her face betraying no emotion as she approached. There was a chilling silence between them as they stood several feet apart, two women who had once been allies, now bitter enemies.

“You’re alive,” Ariana said, her voice flat but filled with barely concealed anger. “I have to admit, I didn’t see that coming.”

Lily smiled grimly. “You should have. You’re not the only one who knows how to play this game.”

Ariana’s jaw clenched. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? Avoiding death twice? But it doesn’t matter. This ends today.”

Lily’s eyes darkened. “Yes, it does. One of us won’t be leaving this place.”

Ariana scoffed. “And you really think that person will be me?”

The air between them crackled with tension. The wind seemed to still as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting to see who would make the first move.

“I don’t think it, Ariana,” Lily said, her voice low and steady. “I know it.”

With that, the silence shattered. Ariana reached into her coat, pulling out a gun, aiming it straight at Lily. But Lily was faster. She darted behind a tree as Ariana fired a shot, the bullet thudding into the bark.

“You think you can hide?” Ariana taunted, circling slowly, her eyes scanning the trees. “You can’t run from me forever, Lily. I will find you.”

Lily’s breath was steady, her mind sharp. She had been prepared for this. Ariana always liked to strike first, but she rarely thought beyond that. Lily needed to outsmart her, not just outfight her.

From behind the tree, Lily called out, “You’ve always been reckless, Ariana. You think brute force will win every battle. But you forget—I know you. I know how you think.”

Ariana sneered, tightening her grip on the gun. “You don’t know me anymore, Lily. You have no idea how far I’m willing to go.”

Lily edged along the trees, keeping herself hidden. “I know exactly how far you’ll go. But you’re wrong if you think this ends with you walking away.”

Another gunshot echoed through the forest. Lily felt the bark splinter near her head. Close, but not close enough.

Ariana moved forward, determined to flush her out. “This isn’t a game, Lily. Come out and face me.”

Lily was waiting for the right moment. She spotted a clearing up ahead, the perfect place to lure Ariana into. It was open, no cover, nowhere to hide. That’s where this would end.

In a sudden burst of speed, Lily dashed out from behind the tree, running toward the clearing. Ariana fired again, but her shot missed as Lily zigzagged through the trees.

“Stop running!” Ariana yelled, charging after her.

Lily reached the clearing and stopped, turning to face Ariana. She stood in the middle, her arms at her sides, unarmed but unafraid.

Ariana stormed into the clearing, gun raised, ready to shoot again. But she hesitated for just a moment, thrown off by Lily’s calmness.

“You want to end this, Ariana?” Lily said, her voice echoing through the stillness. “Then do it.”

Ariana’s finger twitched on the trigger, but something in Lily’s eyes made her pause. There was no fear, no panic—just resolve.

“What are you playing at?” Ariana spat.

“I’m not playing anymore,” Lily replied. “I’m done running. I’m done hiding. If you want me dead, then pull the trigger. But know this: if you don’t, you’ll never get another chance.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. Time seemed to stretch. Ariana’s eyes flickered, uncertainty creeping in for the first time. She had always been in control, always the one holding the power. But now, facing Lily like this, she could feel that control slipping away.

“You’re bluffing,” Ariana whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.

Lily took a step closer. “Am I?”

Ariana’s hand shook slightly, her grip on the gun faltering. For the first time, doubt crept into her mind. She had been so sure, so confident that this was the moment she would finally eliminate Lily. But now, standing face-to-face with her, she wasn’t sure if she could do it.

The tension was unbearable, and then, without warning, the sound of rustling leaves broke the silence. Ariana whipped her head around, distracted for a split second.

That was all Lily needed.

In one swift motion, Lily lunged forward, knocking the gun from Ariana’s hand. The weapon clattered to the ground, and the two women collided, grappling fiercely. Ariana fought back with everything she had, but Lily was faster, stronger.

They struggled for control, each knowing this was the final fight. The years of rivalry, betrayal, and hatred had all led to this moment. Neither of them would stop until one of them was down.

With a final surge of strength, Lily twisted Ariana’s arm and shoved her to the ground. Ariana hit the dirt hard, gasping for breath.

Lily stood over her, chest heaving, victorious.

“It’s over, Ariana,” Lily said quietly, her voice steady. “You lost.”

Ariana glared up at her, defiant even in defeat. “You think this is over?” she spat. “You’ll never be safe. Not as long as I’m alive.”

Lily bent down, picking up the gun and tossing it far into the woods. “Then it’s a good thing you won’t be around much longer.”

Ariana’s eyes widened, but before she could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. Jacob, Michael, and several others emerged from the trees, surrounding them.

“Are you alright?” Jacob asked, rushing to Lily’s side.

Lily nodded, her eyes never leaving Ariana. “It’s done. Take her away.”

Jacob motioned to the others, and they moved to restrain Ariana, who struggled weakly against them.

“You haven’t won!” Ariana screamed as they dragged her away. “You’ll never win!”

Lily watched silently as Ariana disappeared into the woods, her voice fading into the distance.

Finally, she let out a long breath, her body relaxing for the first time in what felt like years.

“It’s over,” she whispered to herself, turning to face the rising sun.

As she did, her phone buzzed once again. It was a message from Alexander, the relief clear in his words:

_"I know you're alive. I’m coming to find you."_