Derek arrived at the secluded parking lot and parked his car. The air thrummed with anticipation as his gaze swept over the empty rows of vehicles. He took a steadying breath and adjusted his rearview mirror to check for movement.

He didn't have to wait long. Within minutes, a sharp rap sounded on his car window. Derek unlocked the passenger door, and the hitman—a young man in his late twenties—slid into the seat beside him, glancing around. Derek saw the hitman's cold, annoyed face. He clearly expected Sandra, not Derek.

"Who the hell are you?" the hitman demanded, his tone low and threatening. He reached for the door handle, but Derek quickly engaged the automatic lock.

The hitman's eyes narrowed, his hand twitching toward his jacket pocket, where Derek suspected a gun was concealed.

"Relax," Derek said calmly. "You're not going anywhere just yet."

The hitman smirked, his fingers edging closer to the gun.

"Big mistake, friend," he murmured, finally gripping the weapon.

Derek sighed and disengaged the lock, releasing the hitman. "Fine," he said simply, watching him push open the door.

The hitman stepped out, but before he could move further, two detectives materialized from behind parked cars, guns drawn. They swiftly disarmed him with practiced ease.

Shock replaced the hitman's confidence as the detectives ordered him back into Derek's car. His eyes darted around; he slumped into the seat, realizing he was outnumbered and outmaneuvered.

Both detectives slid into the backseat, and Derek automatically locked the doors.

"Big mistake, friend. I was going to do this without the detectives," Derek muttered, pulling out his phone and playing a recording of his conversation with Sandra. Her voice filled the car, casually outlining the hit she'd ordered on Evelyn and Michael. The hitman's eyes widened in realization.

"Now," Derek said, his voice steely, "there's no question you're going to jail. But I want answers. Who else knows about this? Have you made arrangements with anyone else to carry out the job?"

The hitman sneered defiantly. "I don't know what you're talking about. And you're arresting me anyway, so why should I talk?"

Derek's eyes flashed. "You should talk because you don't know me," he said slowly, leaning closer. "You don't know what I'm capable of."

The hitman faltered but remained silent. Derek continued, his tone sharp as ice. "If even a single hair on Evelyn's head is hurt, I'll make sure your mother finds out about what you do, and your daughter you should think about her."

The hitman's composure crumbled; his body tensed as he glanced at Derek in horror. Derek held his gaze, deadly calm in his eyes.

"I know more about you than you can imagine. Did you think I would come to someone like you without doing my homework? I've pulled a lot of strings to be here, so you should make it worth it," Derek continued. "Now, answer my question. Have you arranged for anyone else to go after Evelyn?"

After a beat, the hitman swallowed, his voice barely a whisper. "I I have a crew. We were going to do it together."

"Good," Derek replied coolly. "Now, you're going to call them off. And you're going to give the detectives their locations so they can take care of them."

The hitman's face twisted in defiance. "I can't snitch on my own men."

Derek's gaze darkened. "How much do you love your mother and daughter?" His words were low, devoid of mercy.

The hitman hesitated, visibly torn. Derek leaned back, letting the silence hang heavy. "Here's my offer," Derek said. "Cooperate, and I'll see to it that your daughter's medical bills are covered while you're locked away. All her needs, including your mother's, will be met—everything. But only if you agree to help us."

The hitman closed his eyes, his resolve breaking. "Alright. I'll do it," he finally said, his voice resigned.

Derek nodded to the detectives, who quickly began coordinating the plan, with the hitman reluctantly cooperating.

After they finished, Derek returned home in the evening. Evelyn greeted him at the door, her expression a mixture of worry and relief. "You're finally back. You took so long," she said softly, stepping aside to let him in.

"Yeah. It's over for now," he replied, taking her hand as they entered the house. Her warmth relaxed him after the tense day.

"Rayna has left?" Derek asked, looking around the living room as he sat down.

"Yes. She left a short while ago to get ready for the reunion. I've also dropped Samantha off at Sara's place for her sleepover with Ella, since we'll both be out, and Maya still needs some rest," Evelyn said. Derek nodded. "Is Maya back from the hospital? What did she say?" he asked with concern.

"We couldn't talk earlier because Rayna was here. After Rayna left, I went in to check on her, but she was taking a nap," Evelyn explained, going to get him a glass of water.

She returned with it. After taking a long drink, Derek sighed, the tension easing from his shoulders.

"So, how did it go?" she asked, her worry evident in her eyes.

"The meeting went well. All we need now is to get you and Michael to the final location. Someone will be there to handle the makeup and make sure it looks convincing. If it weren't for your idea to arrest her at my mother's birthday celebration, I would have had her arrested tonight. But we'll give her a show—let her believe she's won."

She gave him a small, grateful smile. "I know. But I want her to enjoy her moment of victory. I want to see if she will truly be happy once she believes I'm out of the picture. Maybe she will have regrets."

Derek shook his head. "I don't believe she will. But we'll find out soon enough. I need to get some rest before I get ready to go pick her up for the reunion. She wants me to wear a touch of red, so we look like a couple," Derek said, and Evelyn laughed. "Do you want me to wear a touch of red for you?" she asked. Derek grinned. "Really? Can you do that?" He asked, and she nodded.

"Sure. Anything for my knight in shining armor," she said, and Derek smiled as he set down his glass and pulled her onto his lap.

"I can't wait for this to be over, Eve. I want to go on dates with you and Samantha without worrying about your safety," he said, kissing her arm.

"I want that too. I want a real and normal relationship with you," she said softly, and Derek kissed her.

"I love you."

"I love you too," Evelyn said, holding his gaze.

As she looked at him, she wondered whether or not to tell him that one of the reasons she was anxious was because she hadn't had her period. She didn't want to believe she was pregnant again so carelessly, but she hadn't taken any morning-after pill after they'd had sex at the resort, due to all the ensuing drama.