The next morning, Rinthara’s headquarters was filled with the bustling noise of her subordinates going about their daily routines. Rayyan stepped out of his room with a calm face, but his mind was in turmoil. Two days. That was all the time he had before everything ended.
He walked into the dining area, where several subordinates were already seated, enjoying breakfast. His eyes instinctively searched for Rinthara. She was sitting at the far end of the table with Saifah and a few other high-ranking members.
Rayyan took a seat beside her. Rinthara gave him a small smile, but her eyes remained as sharp as ever. “You look like you have a lot on your mind this morning.”
Rayyan forced a weak smile. “Just thinking about today’s business.”
Rinthara nodded slowly. “Good. Today, you’re coming with me. There’s an important meeting with a weapons supplier.”
Rayyan frowned. “Why me?”
Rinthara took a bite of her food before answering. “I want you to start handling bigger deals. I want you to be my right-hand man completely.”
Rayyan’s heart pounded. This offer was more than just trust—it was a deeper, stronger bond. If he accepted, he would be closer to Rinthara—but that also meant his betrayal would cut deeper.
He forced himself to stay composed and nodded. “Alright.”
Saifah observed them both but said nothing.
Rayyan and Rinthara got into a black SUV along with a few subordinates. Saifah followed in another vehicle, keeping watch from a distance.
During the ride, Rinthara seemed more relaxed than usual. She leaned her head against the window, eyes gazing outside.
“Rayyan,” she called softly.
Rayyan turned to her. “Yes?”
Rinthara gave him a small smile. “What would you do if everything suddenly collapsed? If one day, everything we have now… disappeared?”
Rayyan was silent for a moment. “We?”
Rinthara nodded. “You and me. Everything we built.”
His chest tightened. He knew this question didn’t come out of nowhere. Rinthara was starting to sense something—something even she wasn’t sure about.
“I don’t know, Rinthara,” he finally said. “But I hope… if everything disappears, at least we’ll have something to remember.”
Rinthara smiled faintly, but it was a sad smile rather than a happy one. “You’re right. Memories will always remain, won’t they?”
Rayyan simply nodded.
He wanted to say more, but their SUV suddenly came to a stop. They had arrived at the meeting location.
The place was a large warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Inside, several men were already waiting. They were Russian arms dealers, and this discussion was not something to be taken lightly.
Rayyan stood beside Rinthara, listening closely to every word exchanged. He was used to operations like these, but this time, he was seeing it from a different perspective.
“We want a lower price,” one of the suppliers said. “Demand is rising, but so is the risk.”
Rinthara gave a small smile, but her eyes were cold. “I pay the price I want to pay. If you don’t agree, there are plenty of others who can take your place.”
The man clenched his jaw. “You can’t do that. You need us.”
Rayyan could feel the tension in the air. His hand reflexively moved to his waist, where his gun was holstered.
But before anyone could say another word, a ringing phone shattered the silence.
Rinthara pulled out her phone and answered. Her expression changed instantly.
“What?!”
Rayyan frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Rinthara turned to him, her eyes filled with fury. “Our headquarters is under attack.”
Rayyan froze. An attack?
No. This wasn’t just any attack.
This was the beginning of Rinthara’s downfall.
And Rayyan knew—this was the moment he had been waiting for.
—
The black SUV sped through the streets as Rinthara sat silently in the backseat, her fingers tapping anxiously on her knee. Rayyan sat beside her, watching the shift in her expression.
He could see her jaw tighten, her eyes dark but brimming with restrained fury.
“Who dares attack me now?” Rinthara’s voice was icy, barely a whisper.
Rayyan swallowed hard. Even he was confused. The police were supposed to raid tomorrow, not today. He hadn’t even given the signal yet.
So who did this?
Rinthara turned to him, suspicion flickering across her face. “Do you know something?”
Rayyan slowly shook his head, keeping his expression neutral. “No. I’m just as surprised as you are.”
Rinthara studied him, as if trying to read his thoughts. But she didn’t question him further.
Their car finally pulled into the compound. Gunfire still echoed from inside. Flames had started to consume parts of the building. Rayyan saw some of Rinthara’s men struggling to hold the line, while others had already fallen.
Rinthara took a deep breath before stepping out. Rayyan followed.
Saifah ran up to them. “This isn’t the police! It’s another syndicate!”
Rinthara cursed under her breath, her eyes burning with rage.
“Who?”
“Rinrada’s people. She’s back.”
Rayyan stiffened. Rinrada?
Rinthara’s shoulders tensed. She seemed to be thinking deeply before turning to Rayyan.
“You’re coming with me.”
Rayyan simply nodded and followed her into the chaos of the headquarters.
The situation inside was pure chaos. The smell of smoke and blood filled the air. Rinthara moved quickly, stepping over the lifeless bodies of her subordinates.
Ahead of them, a man dressed in black appeared with a gun in hand. Before he could even pull the trigger, Rinthara had already drawn her weapon and shot him straight in the forehead.
Rayyan couldn’t help but admire her accuracy.
Rinthara turned to him. “I’m going to find Rinrada. You handle the survivors.”
Rayyan didn’t answer immediately. He just looked at her.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Rinthara frowned.
Rayyan took a deep breath. “I just…” He paused before shaking his head. “I just never saw you this strong before.”
Rinthara smirked. “You haven’t seen everything yet, Rayyan.”
Rayyan wanted to say something, but before he could, a small explosion erupted from the upper floor.
Both Rinthara and Rayyan turned simultaneously.
“Damn it,” Rinthara cursed. “Follow me.”
And without waiting, she ran towards the explosion. Rayyan followed right behind her. 
As they moved through the building, Rayyan felt increasingly conflicted.
This wasn’t the police’s plan.
If the police attacked, they would have moved in a more systematic way. But this? This was personal warfare.
And Rinthara… she was sinking deeper into darkness.
Gunshots rang out endlessly. Rayyan watched as Rinthara fought mercilessly. How she didn’t hesitate to kill anyone in her way.
And the worst part?
He still couldn’t hate her.
Even though he knew Rinthara was ruthless. Even though he knew he had to bring her down.
His heart still wavered.
Why can’t I hate her?
Rayyan gripped his gun tighter.
Soon, he would have to choose.
Between his own heart—or the truth he was supposed to fight for.
—
Amidst the destruction, Rayyan stood by a crumbling wall, his breath heavy, eyes scanning the battlefield. Smoke clouded the ruined headquarters, blood and bodies scattered everywhere.
And in the center of the chaos, two women stood face-to-face.
Rinthara and Rinrada.
Their guns were empty now. Their weapons lost somewhere in the mayhem.
All that was left was a fight—one-on-one.
Rayyan could see the wounds on Rinthara—blood seeping from her shoulder, her waist. But her eyes remained sharp, filled with pure hatred for Rinrada.
“You should have died a long time ago.” Rinrada smirked, pushing back her blood-matted hair. “You think you’re strong? You’ve just been lucky all this time, Rinthara.”
Rinthara smirked cynically. "I've lived longer than you, haven't I? That’s enough to prove who deserves to survive."
Without warning, Rinrada attacked first.
She lunged forward, aiming a punch at Rinthara’s face—but Rinthara dodged, twisting her body to the side before driving her knee into Rinrada’s stomach.
Rinrada staggered back but did not fall.
She spat blood onto the floor, then smiled. "Good. I’ll make you suffer before you die."
They clashed again.
Punch after punch was exchanged. Kicks, elbows, knees—they fought like two wild beasts. Rinrada was more aggressive, attacking relentlessly. But Rinthara was craftier, more trained, and more experienced in real combat.
Rayyan could see that Rinthara was still stronger—but her body was weakening. The wounds she had taken were beginning to slow her down.
Rinrada seized the opportunity.
She punched Rinthara’s stomach with all her might, then grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the stone wall.
"ARGH!" Rinthara screamed in pain.
Rayyan almost stepped forward to help, but he stopped himself.
This wasn’t his fight.
This was their battle.
Rinthara sat on the ground for a moment, gasping for air. Blood trickled from her forehead. Rinrada chuckled, watching the woman who once ruled everything now sitting helpless before her.
"Look at you now," Rinrada lifted her chin. "Weak. Just waiting to die."
She pulled out a hidden knife from behind her shirt.
She was going to finish Rinthara.
But…
Just as Rinrada stepped forward—Rinthara suddenly reacted.
With the last of her strength, she raised her knee high and kicked Rinrada’s chin.
CRACK!
Rinrada staggered back, stumbling.
And before she could recover, Rinthara snatched the knife from her hand and stabbed her stomach with all her might.
"URGH—!" Rinrada’s eyes widened.
Blood spilled from her lips. She tried to pull the knife out, but Rinthara’s hand pressed it in deeper.
"This is for everything you’ve done," Rinthara whispered coldly.
With one brutal twist, she rotated the knife inside Rinrada’s stomach—before yanking it out mercilessly.
Blood gushed out.
Rinrada slumped down… then collapsed onto her back, her eyes still open but lifeless.
She died right then and there.
Rayyan held his breath.
He watched as Rinthara stood there, gripping the bloodstained knife, her body covered in wounds, her eyes wild—but the victory was hers.
She had killed Rinrada.
But at the same time, Rinthara also collapsed onto the floor.
"Rinthara!" Rayyan rushed to her.
Blood was everywhere. Her wounds were getting worse. Her breathing was shallow, as if she was fighting to stay conscious.
Rayyan cupped her cheek. "Stay with me, Rinthara."
Rinthara gave a weak smile. "I won, Rayyan."
Rayyan held her hand tightly. "I know. But you have to hold on."
His vision blurred. He hated this feeling. Hated seeing her like this.
Hated that he had already called the police… and they would be here any moment now.
And when that happened, everything would be over.
Rayyan tried to stop the bleeding from Rinthara’s body. Her breath grew weaker, but she was still fighting. She wouldn’t give up so easily.
But suddenly, Rinrada’s dying voice echoed in the silence.
"Heh… Rinthara… you think I’m stupid?" Rinrada smirked weakly, blood dripping from her lips. Her half-open eyes stared at Rinthara with undying hatred. "You were betrayed… just like me."
Rinthara’s brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Rayyan swallowed hard. Shit.
Rinrada let out a weak chuckle despite being on the verge of death. "Rayyan…" she turned her head slowly toward the man. "He was working with me. He’s with the police… He’s the one who’s going to take you down."
The world seemed to freeze.
Rinthara’s fingers, which had been clutching Rayyan’s shirt, stiffened. Her face was pale from blood loss, but her eyes were no longer weak.
She looked at Rayyan, searching for answers in his eyes.
"That’s not true, right?" Her voice was hoarse. "Rayyan?"
Rayyan couldn’t answer.
He could only stare into Rinthara’s eyes, seeing a wound deeper than any knife—betrayal.
And that was enough of an answer.
Rinthara took a deep breath. Her hand slipped from Rayyan’s grasp.
Rinrada finally breathed her last. But her voice still echoed in Rinthara’s mind.
"Rayyan betrayed you…"
The physical pain Rinthara felt was already unbearable, but Rayyan’s betrayal hurt more than any wound she had ever endured.
The man she trusted.
The man she let into her life.
Rayyan.
She didn’t even realize when her tears began to fall.
Her bloodstained hand clutched her own shirt, trying to contain the pain—not just in her body, but in her heart.
"Why?" That was all she could say.
Her voice… was broken.
Rayyan lowered his head, trying to keep his emotions in check. He couldn’t regret this. He knew this was the right decision.
But why did seeing Rinthara like this make him feel like the villain?
"I had no choice." That was all he could say.
A sharp slap landed on his cheek.
Even though Rinthara was barely able to move, she was still strong enough to hit the man who had betrayed her.
Her tears flowed, mixing with the blood on her face.
"You had a choice, Rayyan." Her voice trembled. "You could have chosen to stand by my side. But you didn’t want to."
Rayyan clenched his jaw. Yes. I didn’t want to.
He didn’t want to be part of this world. A world filled with blood and death.
But the way Rinthara looked at him now—like he was the person she hated most in the world—tore him apart.
He wanted to say something. But at that moment…
Sirens echoed in the distance.
The police had arrived.
And this was the end of Rinthara.