Episode 3 : The first move

Zafira stepped back into the main room, her mind spinning with Kairo’s words.

Whatever you’re planning, be careful, Zafira. In this world, second chances don’t exist.

He didn’t know the truth. He didn’t know that she had already died once. That she had already lost.

But he knew something was off about her.

And that made him dangerous.

She couldn’t afford to let her guard slip. Not in front of him. Not in front of Cypher. Not in front of any of these men who wielded power like a knife at her throat.

Taking a slow breath, she schooled her expression back into one of calm indifference before making her way back to Cypher’s side. He was still deep in conversation, his voice low as he spoke to a man she didn’t recognize.

The moment he felt her presence, his silver eyes flicked toward her, unreadable as always. "You disappeared," he noted, his voice smooth but edged with curiosity.

She smiled slightly, tilting her head. "I needed some air."

His gaze lingered on her for a second too long before he turned back to his conversation. "We’re done here. Let’s go."

Zafira didn’t argue.

The car ride back to the penthouse was silent. Cypher was deep in thought, his fingers idly tapping against his knee. She watched him from the corner of her eye, trying to decipher his mood.

The man who had once made her feel safe was now a puzzle she needed to solve.

She used to think she knew him.

But now she realized how little she had truly understood.

After all, she had never seen the betrayal coming.

Now, she would make sure she never made that mistake again.

---

Zafira stood on the balcony of the penthouse later that night, the city sprawling beneath her like a sea of glittering lights. The air was cool against her skin, but she barely felt it.

She was too deep in thought.

She had been given a second chance. But if she was going to change things, she needed a plan.

And the first step?

Understanding why Cypher had betrayed her.

She knew it wasn’t simple. It wasn’t just that he had chosen his empire over her. There had been something—something she had been blind to before.

This time, she would find out what it was.

And she would use it against him.

---

The next morning, Zafira woke up early, determined to gather as much information as she could. But as she made her way downstairs, she found an unexpected visitor waiting for her in the living room.

Kairo.

He was seated on the couch, a cup of coffee in hand, looking completely at ease in Cypher’s home.

Her stomach tightened.

Cypher was nowhere in sight, which meant he had chosen to wait for her alone.

She forced herself to remain calm as she walked in, tilting her head at him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Kairo took a slow sip of his coffee before setting the cup down on the table beside him. "I was in the area."

She snorted. "You? Just happening to be in the area?"

His lips twitched. "Alright, you got me. I was waiting for you."

Zafira folded her arms. "Why?"

Kairo leaned back, watching her with that same knowing expression that made her uneasy. "Because you’re different."

Her pulse jumped.

She forced a smirk. "You said that yesterday."

"And I still mean it," he murmured, his gaze sharp. "You changed overnight. You’re more cautious. More controlled. That’s not normal."

Zafira’s fingers curled into fists, but she kept her expression neutral. "Maybe I just realized that I’ve been too trusting."

Kairo’s dark eyes studied her. "Or maybe you saw something you weren’t supposed to."

She forced a laugh. "I think you’re overanalyzing, Kairo."

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stood, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. When he finally stopped, he was close—too close.

Zafira refused to back down.

Kairo lowered his voice. "If you are hiding something, you should be careful. You know how this world works, Zafira. If Cypher thinks you’re playing him, you won’t walk away from it a second time."

Her breath hitched.

A second time.

He didn’t know how true that statement was.

She met his gaze head-on. "I’m not playing anyone."

Kairo didn’t look convinced, but he finally took a step back. "If you say so."

He turned to leave but paused at the doorway. "Just remember—you only get one chance to fool a man like Cypher. If you mess up, there’s no going back."

Zafira watched him go, her heart pounding.

She already knew that.

She had lived it.

And this time, she wouldn’t fail.

---

Later that night, as Zafira was finishing her drink in the penthouse lounge, Cypher finally spoke.

"We have a party to attend tomorrow," he said, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Wear something nice."

She arched a brow. "A party?"

"An important one," he clarified, his silver eyes glinting. "The Valenciagas are hosting."

Her blood ran cold.

The Valenciagas.

Kairo’s family.

She had met them before—back in her past life. They were just as dangerous as Cypher’s empire, if not more. And if they were hosting this event, it meant that powerful figures from all over the underworld would be there.

Which meant she needed to be very careful.

But she also knew one thing for certain.

If the Valenciagas were involved, then something important was going to happen at that party.

Something that could give her the answers she desperately needed.

Zafira smiled, hiding the storm brewing inside her. "I’ll be ready."

Cypher studied her for a long moment before nodding.

She took another sip of her drink, her mind already working through possibilities.

Tomorrow night, she would be surrounded by the most dangerous people in this world.

But if she played her cards right…

She might just uncover the truth that would bring Cypher to his knees.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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