Chapter 44 – The Return

Chapter 44 – The Return
Prague was silent. Only the dim light from the lamp illuminated Helena, sitting by the window, watching the sleeping European city. Her reflection in the glass showed deep circles under her eyes, marks of sleepless nights. Time had passed, but it hadn't erased the shadows of the past.

Behind her, William moved calmly. Tall, with a firm expression, he watched her with a mixture of concern and respect.

"You haven't slept again, have you?" he asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.

Helena didn't answer immediately. She continued to stare outside, as if searching for courage among the distant lights. Finally, she murmured:

"It's time to go back."

William frowned, taking a few steps forward. "Go back? Are you sure about that? After everything…" He paused, choosing his words. "After what happened, there's no guarantee you'll be safe."

Helena turned, facing him. Her eyes shone with determination, but also with fear. "Safety has never been a part of my life, William. And if I stay here, just running away, nothing will change. It's time to face what I left behind."

William crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "Then I'll go with you."

Helena shook her head slowly. "No."

"No?" He took a step forward, his voice firmer. "Helena, I pulled you out of the chaos, I was by your side when no one else was. Do you really think I'm going to let you face everything alone?"

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know what you did for me. And I'll never forget it. But this…" she hesitated, her voice almost breaking. "This is mine. Only I can solve it."

William clenched his jaw in frustration. "What if it's a trap?"

"Then I'll fall into it," Helena said with unexpected coldness. "But I can't continue trapped in this voluntary exile. Enough." For a moment, there was absolute silence. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds like hammer blows. William finally sighed and looked away.

"You're stubborn as always."

Helena gave a sad smile. "It's what's kept me alive until now."

Hours later, the plane cut through the dawn sky. Helena watched the clouds out the window, lost in thought. Her heart beat fast, as if she knew fate awaited her with something inevitable. She remembered Oliver's face, his innocent gaze years ago, and felt a pang of pain. And then came Alexander, with his magnetic, menacing presence, a part of her history she could never erase.

She closed her eyes, murmuring to herself, "The escape is over."

Disembarking in New York was chaotic, as always. The airport was bustling with voices, suitcases, and haste. Among the crowd, Helena walked with firm steps, her small suitcase in hand. Her heart raced when she saw Alexander waiting, leaning against a pillar, his expression the same calculating as ever.

He hadn't changed as much as she'd expected. Elegant, impeccable in his dark suit, but with subtle traces of fatigue around his eyes. When he saw her, he gave her a controlled smile.

"Helena," he said simply.

She stopped in front of him. For a few seconds, time seemed to freeze. Then, a faint smile escaped her. "Alexander."

Without another word, he took the suitcase from her hand, as if it were natural. "Let's go."

In the car, the initial silence was almost unbearable. New York passed by the windows in a blur of lights and skyscrapers, but neither of them knew where to begin. Helena watched him from the corner of her eye, trying to decipher what he was hiding behind that impeccable facade. Alexander, for his part, kept his gaze fixed on the road, as if driving were a way to escape her questions.

Finally, she broke the silence. "I thought you'd never see me again."

Alexander let out a short, humorless laugh. "I knew you would. Sooner or later, everything returns to where it started."

Helena narrowed her eyes. "And you? Has anything changed since then?"

He didn't answer immediately. He took a deep breath before saying, "Best we not talk about the past. Not today."

Helena nodded, relieved and disappointed at the same time. "So... friends?"

"Friends," Alexander confirmed, though his look said something different.

They arrived at the company. The imposing building reflected the city lights. Helena entered beside him, feeling the curious gazes of discreet employees. In the elevator, the two remained silent until they reached the office on the highest floor.

The atmosphere was luxurious, but cold, as it always had been. Helena settled into an armchair while Alexander poured two glasses of whiskey.

"The city remains the same," she commented, looking out the panoramic window.

"The city never changes. Only the people," he replied, handing her the glass.

They drank in silence for a few moments. It was as if each word carried too much weight. Then Helena leaned forward, finally asking:

"And my brother? Where's Oliver?"

Alexander set the glass down on the table, crossing his fingers. "Relax. I sent Dante after him."

Helena raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Dante? Do you really think he'll be able to find my brother?"

Alexander smiled enigmatically. "He might not. But she definitely will."

Helena frowned. "She? Who is she?"

Alexander stood, walking to the window, observing the city as if he owned it. The evening light reflected in his cold eyes. "Calm down. You'll see. I don't want to spoil the surprise."

Helena stared at him uneasily. She sensed something bigger at play, something he hid as always. But part of her, against all reason, still trusted him.

Silence fell back into the office, as the weight of the past loomed invisibly, like a shadow neither of them dared to name.