Chapter 106. Settle A Score

***106\. Settle A Score***

**Sabrina's POV**

Suddenly, the chilling sound of iron being dragged across the floor echoed through the room.

A cold shiver ran down my spine, goosebumps rising on my skin.

Nio groaned, struggling to speak, and I turned my tear-streaked face toward him. His voice was weak but resolute.

"You… weren’t supposed to be a part of this, Sab." His words hit me like a dagger, guilt mixing with fear as I saw his battered form attempting to move toward me.

"Please, Sabrina... run," he rasped.

I shook my head, cradling my injured arm. My voice was hoarse but firm. "I can’t. Not with you like this." I swallowed hard. "If this is my final act, I’m glad I’ll give my life for you. If death must come, it will take me before it takes you."

"No, Sab..." Nio’s voice cracked. He pushed tears from his eyes, trying to summon his strength. "She needs us. She’s waiting for us to come and rescue her." His words wavered, but the determination in his eyes burned brighter than ever. "Only you can save her. Don’t give up on life. Not with these monsters still breathing."

Before I could respond, the mocking voice of our tormentor cut through the tense air.

"Ticktock, lovebirds," John sneered, stepping forward with cruel amusement. "The clock has struck twelve. Now tell me—who will be the first to say goodbye?"

His eyes gleamed with malice as he addressed us, his tone dripping with venom. "You have no idea how long I’ve waited to avenge my father’s death. And now, here we are."

I furrowed my brow, confusion overtaking my fear. "What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to piece together his cryptic words.

John smirked, clearly relishing the power he held over us.

"Let her go," Nio pleaded, his voice trembling yet steady. "Kill me instead. She’s innocent in all of this."

John let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. "Do you think I’m an idiot? I know exactly who tipped off the authorities about my father’s operations and led to his arrest."

"I did!" Nio exclaimed, desperation lacing his words. "I called the cops. Murder me if you want revenge, but let her go!"

It was the first time I had seen Nio plead openly, his fear not for himself but for me. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, and I could see the pain in his expression—the fear of losing me, of failing to protect me.

But John’s words stopped me cold.

"Oh, come on," he taunted. "I’ve been hunting her all this time. It’s her I want, not you." His tone grew darker, his lips curling into a menacing grin. "You don’t remember me, do you, Sabrina Kline?"

My heart froze at the mention of my name.

John stepped closer, his gaze boring into mine. "I want revenge for my father—Rick Oreans. Does that name ring a bell?"

Recognition hit me like a thunderclap. Rick Oreans. The name from my past, the man whose illegal dealings and human trafficking network I had exposed before leaving for Manhattan.

My voice trembled as I spoke. "Your father…"

"Yes," John interrupted, his tone venomous. "The same man you ratted out, the same man you sent to rot in prison. Because of you, he lost everything. And now, you’ll pay for it."

The room seemed to tilt as the weight of his words pressed down on me. My actions—though just and necessary—had put us all in this horrific situation.

Nio’s gaze locked onto mine, his lips moving as if to tell me something, but no words came out. I knew what he wanted to say, though: Don’t let him win.

"Your father deserved what he got for his crimes," I said firmly, my voice devoid of emotion.

John’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "He died of a heart attack in prison," he spat, "and I, blinded by rage, took your parents in retaliation. Fair trade, isn’t it? You took my father from me... I took yours."

His words slammed into me like a freight train.

No. No, this couldn’t be true. My parents... gone because of me?

"Sab, don’t do this to yourself," Nio’s voice was soft, but it carried a desperate edge. "Don’t let him get in your head."

But I was already spiraling. The guilt was suffocating. My actions—my choices—had led to their deaths.

"And to think," John continued, his tone mocking, "I thought I’d be done with you after shipping you off to Manhattan. Fin helped me with that, and you, the naive little fool, believed it was for your own good!" He laughed, a sound so sinister it made my skin crawl.

I glared at him, fists clenched. "You were wrong then, and you’re wrong now. I’m not the weak little girl you remember."

His laughter faded into a sneer. "But you know what I found out? Your father was a billionaire. I wanted all of it, but you wouldn’t sell. Maybe when you’re gone, I’ll take it my way."

I met his gaze, fire burning in my veins. "That’s my father’s hard-earned legacy, and I won’t let you lay a finger on it!"

He shrugged nonchalantly, the barrel of his gun glinting under the dim light. "We’ll see about that. Now, who’s volunteering to die first?" His revolver shifted between me and Nio.

"Kill me," Nio said hoarsely, dragging himself upright despite his injuries. "But leave her out of this."

"No, don’t!" I cried, tears threatening to spill. "Please, we’ll do whatever you want. Just let us live."

John smirked, ignoring my plea as he turned to Nio.

"As you wish, buddy. But before I pull the trigger, does she know about your little secret identity?" he taunted, a manic grin spreading across his face.

Nio glanced at me, his gaze steady. "Do you really think I’d hide something that important from my wife?"

John tilted his head, feigning surprise. "Oh? Is that so?" His laughter bubbled up again, mocking and harsh. "Well, either way, it’s irrelevant now. Maybe I’ll have some fun with your wife after you’re gone. Such a shame to waste a beautiful thing like her."

Nio tensed, his voice rising with urgency. "Sab... run. Now."

"No!" I said fiercely, shaking my head as I scanned the room for anything, anything that could save us.

"Sabrina," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "You have to live... for both of us. You have to survive—for Wynter. My life doesn’t matter now. Yours does."

Tears streamed down my face as his words pierced my heart.

"Oh, for God’s sake, cut the sentimental crap already," John growled, cocking the gun.

Then Nio whispered the words that shattered me completely. "I love you, Sabrina... you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

He closed his eyes, bracing himself.

The deafening crack of a gunshot ripped through the air. My stomach twisted violently, and I flinched, unable to hold back the scream that tore from my throat.

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