Daniel couldn't believe his eyes. There she was, Kate, standing right in front of his door. He hadn't expected to see her again, especially not after everything that had happened. He knew she had hurt him deeply, and the thought of her being back, in his space, was unsettling.
He had thought she wouldn't dare come back, knowing how angry he was. He wouldn't trust her again, not after the way she had betrayed him. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was up to something, that she was a wolf in sheep's clothing, sent back to finish what she started.
He couldn't help but laugh at the thought. Did they really think they could use her against him again? He was no fool. He knew they were behind this, and he was prepared. He was wiser now, more cautious. He wouldn't fall for their tricks again.
He stared at her, silent, his hand hovering near the gun tucked beneath his jacket. His senses were on high alert, his mind racing. He was ready to defend himself, to fight back. He had to figure out what she was doing here, what their plan was. He couldn't trust her, not for a second.
He knew they were trying to use her to get to him. They knew he was a good man, a man who always tried to help others, even when it put him in danger. They thought they could manipulate him, make him feel sorry for her, and then use him to their advantage.
But they didn't know him as well as they thought. He had learned his lesson. He wouldn't risk his life for anyone who don't worth it anymore, not when he knew he could be killed. He had a responsibility to his people, to protect them. He couldn't afford to be reckless, to be a hero.
He had made sacrifices in the past, like when he saved Tina and the group of criminals he met inside the prison. That was different. That was a sacrifice worth making. But this was different. This was a trap, a dangerous game. He wouldn't fall for it again.
Gina stood there, her words catching in her throat. "I... I... I..." She wanted to apologize, to make things right, but the words wouldn't come. She regretted everything she had done, every betrayal, every lie. She knew she had messed up big time, but she didn't know how to face him, how to make him understand.
She knew he wouldn't take her back, not after what she had done. She had hurt him, betrayed his trust, and there was no way he would ever forgive her. Maybe if he knew she was Tina's sister, he would be more understanding. Maybe he would see her as a lost soul, someone who had made mistakes but was trying to do better. But even if he knew, she wasn't sure he would believe her. He might think she was just trying to manipulate him, to get closer to him so she could betray him again.
Daniel watched her, his arms folded across his chest, his expression unreadable. He didn't interrupt, didn't say a word. He just waited, letting her stumble through her apology, her words tumbling over each other in a jumbled mess. He knew what she was trying to do, trying to win him back, to make him forgive her. But he wasn't going to fall for it. He wasn't going to let her back into his life, not after what she had done.
"I know I messed up," Gina continued, her voice trembling. "Everything I did, about the police, everything. I'm so sorry. It wasn't my fault. I was supposed to..."
Daniel cut her off, his voice sharp and cold. He couldn't stand to listen to her anymore. He knew what she was going to say, what excuses she was going to make. He had heard it all before. He had listened to her lies, believed her promises, only to be betrayed again and again.
He remembered the last time he had begged her to tell the truth, to save him from going to jail. He had promised to stand by her, to protect her. But she had betrayed him, just like she had betrayed everyone else. How could he ever trust her again?
He knew she was trying to get him to accept her back, to forgive her. He didn't need her to say it out loud. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice. But he wouldn't give her what she wanted. He wasn't going to let her back into his life. Not now, not ever.
"Kate, you're not welcome here. I want you to stop talking and leave. Get out of my sight. This is for your own good. You're just another pawn in their game, another tool for the police and their corrupt friends. If you want to leave alive, you need to get out of here now. I won't repeat myself." Daniel's voice was harsh, filled with anger and bitterness.
Gina's heart sank. She knew he was right. She had been manipulated, used. "Daniel, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to do it. They had something on me, something I couldn't resist."
Daniel scoffed. "There's always something, isn't there? They probably have something on you right now, that's why you came back. You know you could be killed, but you came back anyway. They're using you, controlling you. You're just a puppet in their hands."
Gina shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, that's not true. I..."
"Overstayed your welcome!" Daniel interrupted, his voice cutting through her words. "I don't know if this is part of your plan with the police, but I want you to go back to them. Tell them I'm not going to fall to their miserable plan. Please, I don't want to hurt you. Just get up and leave. Get out of here!"
Gina stared at him, her face a mask of despair. She knew she couldn't stay. She knew he wouldn't believe her. She should have just stayed with the old man, at least her life wouldn't be much in danger. She should have known she wasn't welcome here. But she hadn't told him yet, she hadn't revealed her true identity. If Tina was here, maybe she could plead with him, beg him to understand. But even then, she wasn't sure it would be enough. She had betrayed Daniel so deep before, and they might not believe she was truly trying to change. It will be hard to make him believe that she is not just another tool, another pawn in their game.
"Daniel, please! It's not safe for me out there. If I go back, they'll kill me! They're going to... my..." Gina's voice cracked, her words trailing off. Daniel cut her off, his patience wearing thin. He didn't want to hear her excuses, her pleas. Everything about her, everything she said, grated on his nerves. He could sense something was off, something she was hiding, and he wasn't going to let her back in. Not for any reason.
"Kate, get up and leave. Now. I'm warning you, I won't repeat myself. I don't want to hurt you, but if you stay, I can't guarantee what will happen. I just want you to leave, to go back to your life, like you never came here."
Gina's voice, choked with tears, was a desperate plea. "Daniel, please..."
"That's not my name, my name is..." Gina began, but Daniel cut her off again.
"I don't care what your name is. It just proves how deceitful you've been. You lied to me, even about your name. I was trying to help you, I told you all this before. I could have saved you, but you chose to betray me. Imagine if I had died in that prison. Who would you have run to then? Just leave. Get out of here now!"