Shadows of Forgiveness

e caller ID. They had said their goodbyes, but some

what's

l their next target is you and Ameli

e stayed calm for her da

y see me as a threat now and

flutter through her. But she had t

. Names, locations, records of their crimes. But it's no

melia came first. "All right, we'll come to that warehouse

eep you both safe. Thank you

n knots. But Xavier was there as promi

s, these monsters can't h

ghting for their future as a family. Olivia studied Xavier as he po

me after us," she said. "As long

resignation in his eyes

Cut every last tie so they ca

not that simple. These men, they're

hing her stomach. The flicker of hope in his ey

rld he'd known for a decade. Then he st

d liquor as Xavier faced the men who were like brothers. Angry s

tance. "It's done. Now there's just us." Olivia woke t

ng her towards the stairs a

e door burst open. She heard gunfire, grunts of pain. Xavier was

e in a brutal, ruthless dance. Blood spilled across the floorboards. One by

, his wounds taking their toll. As a boot connected wit

etreated into the night. Police swarmed the ho

en, a faint smile on bloody lips. "I'll always...protect you..." Olivia called the authori

there, wounded and alone against an

veryone - we fight tonight." Within minutes, a crowd ga

side, the floor was slick with blood. Xavier battled two

. Chaos erupted as bullets flew, but with their combine

. Silence fell but for labored breathing. Xavier collapse

kered. "Don't leave me now." His faint grip on her hand was the only assurance he'd try. Oliv

ld on. Stay with me," sh

uttered open wea

er, remember? Be a family.

. His hand raised to cup her cheek, l

. Help is coming." But she knew

melia..."

. When you see her, you'll te

bloodied mouth. "I'll...

nst her skin. Then he was s

re died with him there in the ruins of their home. Olivia sat beside Xavier's empty grave, rain soaking her cl

their da

untouched by tonight's horrors. Xavier gave the

as he promised. And in time, she'd share the stories that

whispered to the weeping sky. "And when she's ready...

daughter, holding tight to this last piece of Xavier's love. Dawn would bring a new d