Nico’s POV 

I leaned against the cold bathroom sink, staring at my battered reflection in the mirror. Purple bruises bloomed beneath my swollen eyes; cuts from Dominic’s fists glared back at me like reminders of every twisted decision I’d made. 

Dominic’s fists weren’t the worst part–it was the look in his eyes. That mix of betrayal, fury, and desperation told me one thing clearly: I’d crossed a line there was no coming back from. 

“You really fucked yourself this time, Nico,” I muttered bitterly, gripping the porcelain edge until my knuckles whitened. My ribs ached with each breath, reminding me how close I’d come to death. 

A quiet knock interrupted my dark thoughts. “Nico?” 

I tensed, straightening slightly. Matthias. Of all Dominic’s men, Matthias was perhaps the only one I considered a true friend–someone who understood the complexities of loyalty and ambition in this twisted game we all played. 

“Come in,” I rasped. 

Matthias stepped inside cautiously, closing the door behind him. His sharp eyes quickly assessed my wounds, lingering just long enough to convey concern without judgment. 

“You look like shit,” he said flatly. 

I scoffed painfully. “Thanks for noticing.” 

He crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. “Dominic won’t forgive this, Nico. You touched his most prized possession. You knew what would happen.” 

My jaw clenched, bitterness seeping into my voice. “She’s not a possession, Matthias. She’s human. Dominic forgot that part.” 

Matthias shook his head slowly, wary. “It doesn’t matter. You crossed a line. Dominic’s losing control–and that makes him even more dangerous. You provoked him. Was it worth it?” 

I hesitated, exhaling deeply, the ache in my chest sharper now. “Someone needed to wake him up. She’ll never survive if he doesn’t learn to let go.” 

He watched me quietly, considering. “You sure this is about Aria and not your own ambition?” 

My eyes narrowed defensively. “What’s that supposed to mean?” 

Matthias gave a small, knowing smirk. “I’ve known you a long time, Nico. Long enough to recognize envy when I see it. You want what Dominic has–and not just the girl. You want the power.” 

I held his gaze silently for a moment, then slowly nodded, unashamed. “Is it so wrong to want more than just scraps from Dominic’s table?” 

“No,” Matthias said, voice steady. “Ambition isn’t wrong. But betraying Dominic won’t end well. You know what happens to traitors.” 

My jaw tightened again. “Dominic’s lost sight of who he was supposed to be. He’s spiraling–so consumed by jealousy and obsession that he’s blind to everything else.” 

Matthias studied me closely, unreadable. “So you think you’re the better choice?” 

“I think someone needs to step up before Dominic drags all of us down,” I said fiercely. “Maybe I’m not perfect, but I won’t let fear and obsession dictate my decisions.” 

Matthias sighed heavily, shaking his head slowly. “Be careful, Nico. The path you’re walking is a dangerous one. Dominic might be spiraling, but he’s still deadly.” 

I nodded grimly, acknowledging the truth in his warning. “I know. But I’m tired of being his underdog. Of watching him destroy himself and everyone around him.” 

Matthias looked away briefly, seeming conflicted. “Just make sure you don’t destroy yourself in the process.” 

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed, breaking the tense silence. I frowned, pulling it from my pocket and glancing at the screen. 

Unknown number. 

t hesitated briefly, then opened the message. 

The words glowed starkly: 

Successfully unlocked! 

> “Tired of being Dominic’s underdog yet? Let’s talk. Meet me tonight. Alone.” 

– M.P. 

Mikael Petrov. 

1/2 

Chapter 85 

A chill shot through me–part apprehension, part anticipation. 

1 

Matthías noticed the shift in my expression. “What is it?” 

I stared at the message, heart pounding with possibilities. “An invitation” I said slowly, not looking up. “From Mikael.” Matthias straightened abruptly, alarm flashing through his eyes. “You’re not seriously considering-” 

“Why not?” I cut him off sharply, looking up fiercely. “Dominic’s already marked me as a traitor. Maybe it’s time to stop pretending loyalty matters in a place where it doesn’t.” 

“Nico,” Matthias warned firmly, his voice dropping dangerously low, “Mikael’s playing you. He’ll use your ambitions and discard you once he’s done. Dominic might be ruthless, but Mikael is far worse.” 

“Maybe so, I admitted bitterly. “But at least Mikael isn’t pretending. Dominic thinks he owns everything and everyone. Maybe it’s time he learned some humility.” 

Matthias shook his head slowly, resigned but not angry. “If you do this, Nico, there’s no turning back.” 

I met his eyes evenly, decision settling firmly within me. “There hasn’t been a way back for a while now.” 

We stared at each other for a tense moment before Matthias exhaled slowly, shoulders slumping just a bit. “Just promise me one thing–don’t let your ambition destroy the good man I know is still in there somewhere.” 

My chest tightened unexpectedly, emotion flickering briefly in my eyes. “I’ll try. But this world has a way of changing people.” 

He nodded quietly, reaching for the door, pausing one last time. “Be careful, Nico. Dominic’s ruthless–but Mikael is death himself.” 

I watched him leave, the door closing gently behind him, leaving me alone with my chaotic thoughts. 

I glanced back at the message from Mikael, temptation burning through me. Matthias was right–there was no going back after tonight. But maybe I didn’t want to go back. Maybe it was time to seize what Dominic refused to share. 

Ambition had a cost, I thought bitterly, touching the fresh bruises on my jaw. But wasn’t living under Dominic’s shadow already killing me slowly? 

Dominic’s empire was cracking under the weight of his obsession. Mikael saw it. I saw it. 

This was my chance to claim what should’ve been mine years ago. 

I replied swiftly: 

“Time and place?” 

His response came back instantly, as if Mikael had known my decision all along. 

“Midnight. The docks. Come alone, Nico. Let’s redefine loyalty.” 

I stared at the message, heart pounding with adrenaline, ambition, and a dark sense of liberation. Tonight, I’d take a step that would either crown me king–or seal my fate. 

Either way, I’d no longer be Dominic’s underdog. 

It was time to rewrite the rules and changed them to mine. 

口 

Subscribed