CHAPTER FORTY

The Escape - 4:32 AM

The mental hospital's security system is outdated. Sebastian knows this because he paid for it years ago when he donated to the facility. A tax write-off. A favor owed.

Now he's collecting.

He jimmies the window lock with a stolen butter knife. The alarm doesn't sound. It never does on the east wing. Budget cuts.

Sebastian drops to the ground outside, his prison uniform replaced with stolen orderlies' scrubs. His face is gaunt. Hollow. Three days without proper sleep will do that.

He runs across the lawn, staying low, heading for the service road.

A car is waiting. Engine running.

Cross.

Sebastian climbs into the passenger seat, breathing hard. "Thank God. I thought you wouldn't come."

Cross doesn't look at him. "Put this on." He tosses a hoodie into Sebastian's lap.

Sebastian pulls it on. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere safe." Cross's voice is flat. "Somewhere Jessica won't find you."

Sebastian relaxes slightly. "Good. Good. We need to regroup. Figure out our next move—"

"There is no next move." Cross's hands tighten on the steering wheel. "You're finished, Sebastian. The entire city wants you dead."

"That's why I need your help." Sebastian reaches for Cross's shoulder. "You're the only one I can trust—"

Cross jerks away. "Don't touch me."

Sebastian freezes. "What?"

"I said don't touch me." Cross's voice is cold. Hard. "You don't get to touch me. Not after what you did."

"What I did?" Sebastian's confusion is genuine. "Cross, what are you talking about?"

Cross pulls the car over. They're at the docks. Empty. Dark.

"Get out," Cross says.

"What? No. Cross, listen to me—"

"Get. Out." Cross pulls a gun from the glove compartment. Points it at Sebastian's chest.

Sebastian stares at the weapon. "You're working with her. With Jessica."

"I'm her son." Cross's voice doesn't waver. "I've always been her son. And you? You're nothing. You're a monster who destroyed my family."

Sebastian's face goes pale. "Cross, please. I raised you. I gave you everything—"

"You gave me nothing!" Cross's voice cracks. "You took everything! My mother. My sister. My entire life!"

"I was trying to protect you—"

"By lying to me?" Cross's hand shakes. "By making me think I was your son? By turning me into a weapon against my own family?"

Sebastian reaches for the door handle. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry—"

"Too late." Cross cocks the gun. "Now get out. Before I change my mind and kill you right here."

Sebastian stumbles out of the car. "Where am I supposed to go?"

"I don't care." Cross throws a phone at him. "That's a burner. One call. Make it count."

The car speeds away, leaving Sebastian alone on the docks.

He looks at the phone. Looks at the water.

And realizes he has nowhere left to run.

The Fishing Boat - 6:18 AM

The captain doesn't ask questions. Sebastian pays him two thousand dollars in cash—money he stole from the hospital's petty cash drawer—and the man nods.

"Where to?"

"Anywhere." Sebastian climbs aboard. "Just get me out of the city."

The boat pulls away from the dock. Sebastian sits in the cabin, staring at his reflection in the grimy window.

He looks like a corpse. Sunken eyes. Hollow cheeks. A man who's already dead.

The burner phone rings.

Unknown number.

Sebastian answers. "Hello?"

"Mr. Gaston." It's a reporter. "Do you have any comment on the allegations against you?"

"How did you get this number?"

"We have our sources." The reporter's voice is eager. "Is it true you murdered multiple people? That you buried bodies in Madison Tower?"

Sebastian hangs up.

The phone rings again. Different number.

He answers. "What?"

"Sebastian Gaston?" Another reporter. "We're running a story about your criminal empire. Would you like to respond?"

He throws the phone overboard.

It sinks into the dark water.

Just like everything else.

The News Broadcast - 8:45 AM

Every screen in the city shows the same thing.

Sebastian's face. His crimes. His empire.

Jessica sits in her penthouse, watching the broadcast with Kira beside her.

"Sebastian Gaston, also known as Sebastian Becker, is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt," the anchor says. "Authorities believe he's responsible for multiple murders, including the death of Riley Oh, whose body was discovered in the basement of Madison Tower."

Kira squeezes Jessica's hand. "It's working."

"Not yet." Jessica's eyes are fixed on the screen. "He's still out there. Still dangerous."

"He's broken." Kira's voice is gentle. "You broke him."

"Good." Jessica's smile is cold. "Now we finish it."

The Firepit - 11:23 PM

Sebastian finds shelter in an abandoned warehouse. No heat. No light. Just concrete and shadows.

He builds a fire in a metal drum, using scraps of wood and newspaper.

The flames cast dancing shadows on the walls.

He stares into the fire, trying to figure out where it all went wrong.

Kira. That's where it started. When Kira came back into his life. When Jessica started pulling strings.

No. Earlier. When he took Cross. When he lied about Penelope.

No. Even earlier. When he killed Layla.

That's when it all started. That's when he became a monster.

"You look like shit."

Sebastian spins around.

Eli stands in the doorway, a bag slung over his shoulder.

"Eli." Sebastian's voice is hoarse. "What are you doing here?"

"Heard you needed help." Eli drops the bag. "Brought you some supplies. Food. Water. Clean clothes."

Sebastian opens the bag. Inside: a change of clothes, some canned food, and a first aid kit.

"Thank you." Sebastian's voice cracks. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd die." Eli's voice is matter-of-fact. "That's what you'd do."

Sebastian pulls out the first aid kit. His hands are shaking. "I need to clean this cut." He gestures to his face. A nasty gash runs from his temple to his jaw. He got it climbing over a fence. Barbed wire.

Eli helps him clean the wound. The alcohol burns. Sebastian doesn't flinch.

"You're going to have a scar," Eli says.

"Good." Sebastian's voice is bitter. "I deserve it."

They sit in silence for a moment. The fire crackles.

Then Eli pulls out his phone. "You need to see this."

He turns the screen toward Sebastian.

It's a news broadcast. Jessica and Kira. Standing together. Smiling.

"Jessica Becker and Kira Khan announced their engagement today," the anchor says. "The couple plans to marry next month in a private ceremony at Madison Tower."

Sebastian's face goes white. Then red. Then purple.

"That bitch." His voice is barely a whisper. "That fucking bitch."

"Sebastian—"

"She's doing this to mock me!" Sebastian stands, kicking the fire drum. Sparks fly. "She's marrying him in my building! In my tower!"

"It's not your building anymore—"

"It's mine!" Sebastian's voice echoes through the warehouse. "Everything is mine! She can't take it! She can't!"

Eli backs away. "Sebastian, calm down—"

"I need explosives." Sebastian's eyes are wild. "Can you get me explosives?"

"What? No. Sebastian, that's insane—"

"I'll pay you." Sebastian grabs Eli's arm. "Name your price. Anything. Just get me explosives."

Eli stares at him. "What are you planning?"

"Justice." Sebastian's smile is manic. "I'm planning justice."

The Construction Site - 2:34 AM

Eli knows a guy. Everyone knows a guy.

This guy works construction. Has access to demolition supplies. Doesn't ask questions.

For five thousand dollars, he hands over a duffel bag full of C-4.

"Don't tell anyone where you got this," the guy says.

"I won't." Eli takes the bag.

He drives back to the warehouse. Sebastian is waiting.

"Did you get it?" Sebastian asks.

Eli hesitates. "Yeah. I got it."

"Good." Sebastian reaches for the bag.

Eli pulls it away. "What are you going to do with it?"

"What do you think?" Sebastian's eyes are cold. "I'm going to blow up Madison Tower."

"With people inside?"

"With Jessica inside." Sebastian's voice is flat. "With Kira inside. With everyone who betrayed me inside."

"Sebastian, that's murder—"

"It's justice!" Sebastian lunges for the bag.

Eli dodges. "No. I'm not letting you do this."

"You don't have a choice." Sebastian pulls a knife from his pocket. The same butter knife he used to escape. Sharpened to a point.

"Sebastian, don't—"

Sebastian slashes at him. Eli jumps back, dropping the bag.

Sebastian grabs it and runs.

Eli chases him. They're at a construction site now. Half-finished buildings. Exposed steel beams. No safety rails.

"Sebastian, stop!" Eli shouts.

Sebastian climbs a ladder. Up. Up. Up.

Eli follows.

They reach the top floor. Twenty stories up. The wind is howling.

"Give me the bag," Eli says. "Please. Before you do something you can't take back."

"I've already done things I can't take back." Sebastian's voice is hollow. "What's one more?"

"This is different. This is mass murder—"

"They deserve it!" Sebastian's voice cracks. "All of them! Jessica! Kira! Cross! They all deserve to die!"

"And what about the innocent people?" Eli steps closer. "The staff? The guests? The people who have nothing to do with this?"

Sebastian doesn't answer.

"You're not a monster," Eli says quietly. "Not yet. But if you do this, you will be. Forever."

Sebastian looks at the bag. Then at Eli. Then at the city below.

"I'm already a monster," he whispers.

And he pushes Eli.

Eli's eyes go wide. He reaches out, grabbing for Sebastian's arm.

Misses.

Falls.

Twenty stories.

Down.

Down.

Down.

He hits the concrete with a sound like thunder.

Sebastian stares down at the body. At the blood spreading across the ground.

"I'm sorry," he whispers.

But he takes the bag anyway.

The Engagement Party - 7:15 PM

Madison Tower is lit up like a beacon. Every window glowing. Music drifting from the penthouse.

Jessica and Kira stand at the center of the room, surrounded by guests. Champagne flows. Laughter echoes.

"To the happy couple!" someone shouts.

Everyone raises their glasses.

Jessica smiles. But her eyes are on the door.

Waiting.

Kira leans close. "Do you think he'll come?"

"He'll come." Jessica's voice is certain. "He can't resist."

And then the fire alarm sounds.

People freeze. Look around.

"Probably just a malfunction," someone says.

But then a security guard bursts in. "Bomb threat! Everyone out! Now!"

Panic. Screaming. People rushing for the exits.

Jessica and Kira don't move.

"Go," Jessica tells him. "Get everyone out."

"I'm not leaving you—"

"Go!" Jessica pushes him toward the door. "I'll be right behind you."

Kira hesitates. Then nods. He wheels toward the exit, helping guide people out.

Jessica waits until the room is empty.

Then she walks to the elevator. Presses the button for the penthouse.

The doors close.

She rides up alone.

The Penthouse - 7:43 PM

Sebastian stands by the window, the detonator in his hand.

The explosives are planted. Basement. Ground floor. Structural supports.

One press of the button and Madison Tower becomes dust.

He hears the elevator ding.

Turns.

Jessica steps out, a gun in her hand.

"Hello, Sebastian," she says calmly.

"Jessica." Sebastian's voice is hoarse. "I knew you'd come."

"Of course I came." She raises the gun. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"You're going to shoot me?" Sebastian laughs. It's a broken, bitter sound. "After everything? After all your planning? You're just going to shoot me?"

"If I have to." Jessica's hand is steady. "Put down the detonator."

"No." Sebastian holds it up. "If I go down, we all go down. You. Me. This entire building."

"There's no one left in the building." Jessica steps closer. "I made sure of it. It's just you and me now."

"Good." Sebastian's smile is manic. "That's how it should be. Mother and son. Together at the end."

"You're not my son." Jessica's voice is ice. "You never were."

"I raised you!" Sebastian's voice cracks. "I gave you everything! A home! A family! A life!"

"You gave me nothing!" Jessica's voice rises. "You took my daughter! You killed my husband! You destroyed my entire life!"

"I saved you!" Sebastian screams. "You were nothing before me! A nobody! I made you into something!"

"You made me into a victim!" Jessica's eyes are blazing. "But I'm not a victim anymore. I'm the one holding the gun. I'm the one who wins."

Sebastian looks at the detonator. Then at Jessica. Then at the window behind him.

"You know what the funny thing is?" he says quietly. "I actually loved you. In my own way. I thought of you as my daughter. My real daughter."

"Then you should have treated me like one." Jessica's finger tightens on the trigger.

Sebastian lunges.

He's fast. Faster than she expected.

He slams into her, knocking the gun from her hand. It skitters across the floor.

They grapple. Sebastian's hands close around her throat.

"I should have killed you years ago," he hisses.

Jessica brings her knee up. Hard. Into his stomach.

Sebastian gasps, his grip loosening.

She shoves him backward. Scrambles for the gun.

Sebastian tackles her again. They roll across the floor. He's stronger. Heavier.

He pins her down, his hands around her throat again.

"This is how it ends," he whispers. "You and me. Together."

Jessica's vision is blurring. She can't breathe. Can't think.

Her hand finds something. Cold. Metal.

The gun.

She brings it up. Presses it against his stomach.

"No," she gasps. "This is how it ends."

She pulls the trigger.

The shot is deafening.

Sebastian's eyes go wide. He looks down at the blood spreading across his shirt.

"Jessica—"

She pushes him off. Stands. Points the gun at his head.

"This is for Layla," she says.

And fires.

The bullet goes clean through. Exits the back of his skull. Shatters the window behind him.

Sebastian staggers backward. His hands reach out, grasping at nothing.

And then he falls.

Through the broken window.

Down.

Down.

Down.

Twenty stories.

Through the night air.

Through the stained glass ceiling of the lobby.

Into the arms of the angel statue.

Just like Layla.

The detonator falls from his hand as he plummets.

Hits the ground.

Activates.

The Explosion - 7:51 PM

The first blast comes from the basement.

A deep, rumbling boom that shakes the entire structure.

Then the ground floor. Multiple charges. Simultaneous detonations.

The structural supports give way.

Madison Tower groans. A sound like a dying giant.

Jessica runs for the stairs. The elevator is too dangerous.

She makes it down three floors before the building starts to collapse.

Concrete raining down. Steel beams twisting. Glass shattering.

She keeps running.

Down.

Down.

Down.

The stairwell is collapsing behind her. She can hear it. Feel it.

She bursts through the emergency exit on the ground floor.

Kira is there, waiting in his wheelchair.

"Jessica!" He reaches for her.

She grabs his chair. Pushes. They race across the lobby.

Behind them, Madison Tower is falling.

Floor by floor. Collapsing in on itself.

They make it through the front doors just as the entire structure comes down.

The sound is apocalyptic. Like the end of the world.

Dust and debris explode outward. A massive cloud engulfing everything.

Jessica and Kira are thrown forward by the blast wave.

They hit the ground hard.

And then silence.

Ringing ears. Dust settling. Sirens in the distance.

Jessica looks back.

Madison Tower is gone.

Just rubble. Twisted metal. Broken glass.

And somewhere in that wreckage, Sebastian's body.

"It's over," Kira whispers.

Jessica doesn't answer. She just stares at the ruins.

At the empire she destroyed.

At the monster she killed.

"Yes," she finally says. "It's over."

The Aftermath - 9:34 PM

Police swarm the site. Firefighters. Paramedics. News crews.

The entire city is watching.

"Madison Tower has collapsed," the anchor says. "Authorities believe it was a deliberate demolition. Sebastian Gaston's body has been recovered from the wreckage."

In the rubble, investigators find more than just Sebastian.

They find Riley's body. Still wrapped in plastic. Hidden in the basement.

They find evidence. Documents. Files. Proof of every crime Sebastian ever committed.

They find the truth.

And the city finally knows what kind of monster Sebastian Gaston really was.

Jessica watches from a distance. Kira beside her.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"No." Jessica's voice is quiet. "But I will be."

She looks at the ruins one last time.

At the angel statue, somehow still standing amidst the wreckage.

At the place where her daughter died.

At the place where her enemy died.

"It's finally over," she whispers.

And for the first time in years, she believes it.