Following her plan, Alia took the next decisive step. After the intense battle against the mafia alongside Victor, she realized it was time for even more effective action. From her phone, she called the CIA and shared everything—details of the mafia's locations, operations, and movements.
Immediately after that, she contacted the police. A rapid operation was launched, and law enforcement began a full-scale crackdown on the mafia network.
Soon, police units arrived one by one and started arresting mafia members. Chaos broke out among the criminals, but most of them were quickly apprehended. The police took them into custody, and the entire area became secure.
Victor and Alia exchanged a cautious look. In their eyes was the quiet satisfaction of success—but they both knew such moments were never simple.
With the arrests complete, Alia and Victor felt confident that standing together had been the right choice. Yet they also understood that more challenges could lie ahead. Their bond, now entering a new chapter, would face its truest test.
As Alia was about to head downstairs, Victor grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back. His eyes held a firm intensity, as though he knew this wasn't the time for her to move alone.
"Alia, you have no idea how much danger you're in," he said softly. "If you go alone, things might get even worse for you."
Alia looked surprised but said nothing. Before she could speak, Victor placed a hand on her shoulder and stepped in closer. For a moment, a strange silence hung between them—no words were needed, only the weight of emotion.
Then, in a quiet breath, Victor leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
"I love you, Alia," he whispered, finally allowing the feelings he had hidden for so long to surface.
Alia blinked, surprised—but not startled. With a calm smile and a soft look in her eyes, she said, "You've always been strange, Victor... but—"
Her voice carried a new sweetness, like something inside her had gently shifted.
In that moment, a rare and sincere connection was born between them—where no explanations were necessary, only the language of the heart.
Just then, Alia's phone rang. It was one of her colleagues informing her that her cousin had been detained by the police. Hearing this, Alia felt a sense of relief and quietly ended the call. With everything now in motion, she and Victor set off together toward her home.
Alia knew that now was the time to speak with her parents—to explain everything that had happened, and to finally tell them the truth about her work.
When they arrived at the house, Alia opened the door and stepped inside. Her mother, who had never seen her like this before, froze for a moment upon seeing her. Then, without hesitation, she ran toward Alia and broke down in tears.
"You're back, my daughter—you're back!" she cried, her voice filled with a mix of relief, fear, and deep love.
Alia felt a bit overwhelmed, but seeing her mother again brought a profound sense of peace to her heart. Her mother clutched her tightly, sobbing, "Where were you, Alia? I had no idea how much danger you were in!"
At that moment, Alia's father entered the room. His face showed surprise as he froze for a second, then turned his gaze toward Victor.
"What's going on, Alia? Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.
Victor, usually composed and serious, softened his stance and stepped beside Alia.
"Sir, Ma'am," he said respectfully, "Alia is safe now. But she needs to tell you everything—this is her moment."
Alia took a deep breath and looked at her parents.
"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't always have the courage to tell you, but I've been living a life that was hidden from you—for a reason. I needed to protect someone… I needed to save a life."
Her mother's eyes, still wet with tears, now gleamed with pride. She pulled Alia into another embrace and whispered,
"You've always been our pride, my daughter. The strength with which you've walked your path—it's what gives us courage."
Alia's life had taken a new turn—her family stood beside her, and a new chapter in their relationship had just begun.
As Victor walked through the house, his eyes caught sight of a large wall adorned with a massive photograph. It was a family portrait, showing Alia and her relatives standing together. There were around eleven faces in the frame, but Alia stood at the center—visibly the heart of the picture. She wore a beautiful blue dress, and her expression was calm yet powerful.
Victor's eyes were immediately drawn to Alia. But as he looked more closely, something unusual in the photograph caught his attention. Right behind her, partially visible over her chest, was a tattoo of a phoenix—shimmering in blue. The majestic bird seemed to glow with meaning, symbolizing strength and rebirth.
Victor stared at it, curious and somewhat captivated. His mind began to swirl with questions.
Then his gaze shifted toward the other figures in the picture. One in particular caught his attention—Alia's elder brother. And to Victor's astonishment, he had the exact same phoenix tattoo, except his was glowing red. While Alia's blue phoenix represented calm resilience, her brother's red one radiated raw fiery power, as if he was ready to burn everything down and rise anew from the ashes whenever needed.
Victor leaned in a little, examining the photo more closely. A realization dawned on him—this family carried a deeper, mysterious legacy. The tattoos were not just symbols—they were marks of struggle, strength, and a shared history embedded in the bloodline of Alia and her brother.
Just then, Alia, who had been silent all this while, softly said,
"You're looking at the picture, aren't you, Victor? There are many stories hidden in that frame. Our family's history, our battles, our strength—they're all right there."
Victor turned slightly and smiled, "Yeah. I can see it now. The phoenix… it's your family's symbol, isn't it? Always rising from destruction, reborn stronger."
Alia smiled gently, her voice steady and calm, "Exactly. We've faced so much—yet we never gave up. The phoenix isn't just a design… it's who we are. We rise every time we fall."
Victor was beginning to understand that this family hadn't just survived life's battles—they had transformed pain into power, trauma into tenacity. The image and the tattoos held deep, symbolic meaning. And now, Victor felt a newfound respect for Alia.
He stood silent for a while. Her words had struck something inside him. He realized Alia didn't just draw strength from the outside world—her real power came from within. Her willpower, her confidence, and her undying spirit were what truly defined her. The tattoo was no longer just an external mark. Her life itself was her emblem.
Finally, Victor whispered,
"So… you've discovered your true self. Now, your inner strength is your compass."
Alia gave a soft smile, "Yes, it is. Sometimes, we get so caught up in external signs that we forget the strength we carry inside. But for me, I no longer need any symbol. I know what I've been through. The strength I carry comes from those battles."
Victor nodded slowly, a new perspective unfolding in his mind. Alia's confidence and composure moved him deeply. He understood now that she had truly stepped into a new chapter—one where her inner strength would lead her farther than ever before.
Then, after a moment of silence, Alia softly said,
"This tattoo in the picture… it was a symbol of our past. But now, we're on a new path. And I know, on that path, we'll become even stronger."
Victor looked at her, a quiet reverence in his eyes. He knew now—Alia was not someone who would ever give up. The road she was walking, it would take her farther than most, led by her strength and determination.
Alia glanced at him once more, a faint smile touching her lips,
"After this talk, I feel so tired, Victor."
Then, without another word, she leaned gently to one side and closed her eyes. Victor watched silently as Alia slowly drifted into sleep, her face peaceful, calm—carrying an expression of quiet strength and complete trust.