Chapter 2: The Truth Unveiled
Allison stood at the doorway, her back straight and her expression unreadable. The sound of her belongings scattering across the floor echoed in the grand foyer, but she didn’t turn back. She didn’t need to. The mess behind her was a reflection of the life she was leaving—broken, scattered, and no longer hers.
Colton watched her, his arms crossed, his face a mask of indifference. He had expected tears, maybe even pleading. But Allison’s calm demeanor unnerved him. She wasn’t the woman he thought she was—the quiet, obedient housewife who would crumble under pressure. There was something in her eyes now, something sharp and unyielding, that he couldn’t quite place.
“I’ll have someone clean this up,” he said dismissively, gesturing to the mess on the stairs. “You can take whatever you need from the villa. Just be gone by tonight.”
Allison didn’t respond. She stepped outside into the cool evening air, the weight of the past three years lifting off her shoulders with each step. The mansion, with its towering gates and manicured gardens, had once been her home. Now, it felt like a prison she had finally escaped.
As she walked down the driveway, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen. It was a message from an unknown number, but the content made her pause.
“Cobweb is ready. Are you?”
A faint smile tugged at her lips. Cobweb—the most elusive intelligence network in the world—had been her ticket to reclaiming her old life. She had secured the opportunity weeks ago, hoping to use it to help the Stevens family. But now, it was her lifeline.
She typed a quick reply: “I’m in.”
The response was immediate. “Meet us at the usual place. Midnight.”
Allison slipped her phone back into her pocket and quickened her pace. She didn’t look back at the mansion, not even once. Her mind was already racing ahead, plotting her next move.
By the time she reached Starfish Villas, the sky had darkened, and the streets were quiet. The villa Colton had so generously “gifted” her was modest compared to the Stevens estate, but it was more than enough for her needs. She stepped inside, the silence welcoming her like an old friend.
She didn’t bother unpacking. Instead, she headed straight for the study, where a sleek laptop sat on the desk. She powered it on, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she accessed files she hadn’t touched in years. Her old life—her real life—was just a few clicks away.
As she worked, her mind wandered back to the boy who had saved her all those years ago. Colton Stevens. The name had once meant everything to her. But the man he had become was a stranger—cold, selfish, and blind to the woman who had stood by him through everything.
“You’ll regret this,” she murmured to herself, her voice steady. “But by the time you realize what you’ve lost, it’ll be too late.”
Midnight came quickly. Allison changed into a sleek black outfit, her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She grabbed a small bag and slipped out of the villa, her movements swift and silent. The streets were empty, the city asleep as she made her way to an unmarked building on the outskirts of town.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric. A group of people—hackers, spies, and intelligence operatives—were gathered around a large screen, their faces illuminated by the glow of data streams. At the center of it all was a man in his late thirties, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
“Allison,” he said, spotting her immediately. “Glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Marcus,” she replied, her tone light but determined. “What’s the mission?”
Marcus grinned, gesturing to the screen. “We’ve got a high-profile target. Someone’s been leaking classified information to the wrong people. We need to track them down and shut them down—permanently.”
Allison’s eyes narrowed as she studied the data. The target’s name flashed on the screen, and her breath caught in her throat.
Colton Stevens.
For a moment, she was frozen. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face—a smile that was equal parts satisfaction and determination.
“I’ll take the lead on this one,” she said, her voice firm. “I know him better than anyone.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. “Alright, Allison. It’s your call. But remember—this isn’t personal. It’s business.”
“Oh, it’s personal,” she replied, her eyes gleaming with a fire that had been dormant for far too long. “But don’t worry. I won’t let it cloud my judgment.”
As the team got to work, Allison felt a surge of energy she hadn’t felt in years. This was who she was—not the quiet, obedient housewife Colton had tried to mold her into, but a force to be reckoned with. A genius. A fighter. A woman who had been underestimated for far too long.
And as the first rays of dawn broke through the windows, Allison knew one thing for certain: Colton Stevens had no idea what was coming for him.