Vansh's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a slow, deliberate cadence, each word like a strike.
"You think I loved you, Mayra? That all those years meant something real to me?"He shook his head, stepping closer, his gaze never wavering."No. I never loved you. Not once. I was with you because I had to be — because the world expected it. Because it was easier than facing the truth."
He glanced at Pearl, his expression softening for a fraction of a second."Pearl was different. She wasn't part of the lie, the act. She was the only thing that made me feel alive when everything else was falling apart."
Turning back to Mayra, his voice cracked slightly but stayed steady."I stayed silent, played along, because I wanted to protect you — or maybe just protect myself from the chaos. But that silence? It was a prison."
His jaw clenched, voice now cold and sharp."You weren't the one I wanted. You were never the one I loved. And maybe that's why this whole nightmare began."
The room seemed to shrink around them, the weight of his words settling like dust in the air
Mayra's eyes flashed, fury burning through the pain. Her voice was a jagged whisper, trembling with rage.
"Never loved me? You think I didn't know?"She took a shaky step forward, the gun still trembling in her hand."I was always the one chasing shadows—you and Pearl, the ghosts you wanted instead of me."
Her breath hitched, voice breaking."I gave you everything. My loyalty. My trust. Even my heart."
She laughed bitterly, a sound that didn't reach her eyes."And you never once looked at me like I mattered."
The gun lowered, but only slightly, as if her hands were fighting to hold it steady."Fine. You never loved me. But I'll make sure you never forget what you lost."
Mayra's breath hitched, but the fire in her eyes didn't fade. Slowly, the gun steadied in her hands, her voice dropping to a cold, measured tone.
"You think I'm just going to crumble because of your truth?" She took a step closer, the room shrinking between them. "No, Vansh. This isn't about love anymore. It's about power."
Her gaze locked onto Pearl, razor sharp."You—both of you—are still pawns. And I? I'm the player."
She raised the gun again, not with fury this time, but with grim resolve."If I'm the villain in your story, then I'll make damn sure you never get to be the heroes."
A long silence stretched. Then, almost inaudible:"Welcome to the endgame."
Pearl's breath hitched, but her eyes burned brighter than ever. She pulled against the straps for a moment, then locked her gaze on Mayra—unflinching, fierce.
"You can play your games, Mayra." Her voice was quiet but firm, a whisper that carried the weight of every shattered secret."But you forgot one thing."
She took a shaky breath, voice rising with conviction."I'm not the same scared girl you thought you could break. I remember now. Everything."
Pearl's fingers clenched, wrists aching against the leather."And if this is the endgame, then maybe it's time it ended. For all of us."
Her eyes shifted to Vansh, a silent plea for trust—and then back to Myra, unyielding."Let's finish this. Once and for all."
Mayra's eyes snapped, and in one swift motion, she snatched the gun tighter, the cold metal pressing heavier in her hand.
"It's better your end, Pearl," she spat, voice thick with venom. "Than anything else. Only then will I be happy."
Her glare flicked to Vansh, sharp and cutting."And you? Stay away from her. This isn't your fight anymore."
Pearl and Vansh exchanged a glance—heartbeats pounding in sync. Slowly, they pushed against their restraints, the leather biting but not enough to hold them down forever.
Vansh's jaw clenched as he rose, voice low and steady:"No more running, Mayra. If you want Pearl, you'll have to go through me."
Pearl stood beside him, pain flashing across her features, but eyes blazing with fierce determination.
Mayra's lips curled into a cruel smile."Then come," she challenged, voice icy. "Let's end this. Right here. Right now."
The room held its breath — rain thrumming outside like a war drum, a storm about to break
Pearl and Vansh squared off against Mayra, the three of them caught in a triangle of betrayal and fury.
Vansh's hand hovered near his belt — a silent readiness.Pearl's breath steadied, every nerve firing, her mind sharp despite the pain.
Mayra raised the gun, finger tightening on the trigger — then suddenly, a metallic click echoed.
Her eyes widened in shock. The gun was empty.
Vansh stepped forward, voice cold but calm:"Running out of bullets, Myra? Maybe this game's over."
Mayra's expression twisted — fury, fear, desperation — all tangled together.
Pearl saw it—the crack in her armor. And for the first time since this nightmare began, hope sparked.
Mayra's eyes burned with desperate fury as she twisted free from Vansh's grip, stumbling back a step.
Her hands shook as she lunged for the gun lying just out of reach on the floor.
Pearl and Vansh moved to block her—but before either could reach her, Mayra's fingers closed around the cold metal.
The gun rose—steady now, fueled by rage and heartbreak.
A deafening BANG echoed through the room, followed by a sharp cry.
Pearl's breath caught as she saw Vansh stumble, clutching his shoulder where a dark stain bloomed.
"No!" Pearl screamed, dropping to her knees beside him.
Mayra's face twisted in a mix of triumph and torment.
"This ends now," she whispered, voice cracking.
Vansh gritted his teeth, pain blazing through him, but his eyes stayed fierce.
"Pearl… run," he gasped.
But Pearl shook her head, voice raw and resolute:
"No. We finish this—together."