Damian's knuckles turned white as he gripped his weapon, eyes locked on Adrian's smug, arrogant face.
Selina could hardly breathe. The air felt thick with impending death.
Adrian pressed the gun harder against the control panel connected to the live feed showing their son.
"One wrong move, Damian, and the boy disappears forever."
Selina struggled against her restraints, her wrists raw and bleeding.
"Adrian, please…" Her voice cracked, but Adrian just smiled coldly.
"Begging? How beautifully pathetic, Selina. You were once the proud daughter of the Jiang family. Look at you now—broken, desperate, and utterly defeated."
Damian's voice rumbled low, dangerously calm.
"You want me, Adrian. Let her go."
Adrian cocked his head, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Oh, I want much more than you, Damian. I want your legacy. Your empire. And most of all—your suffering."
Without warning, Adrian pulled the trigger—
Not at Damian. But at the control panel.
"NO!" Selina screamed.
The live feed cut to black.
For one horrifying moment, the entire room seemed to freeze in time.
Damian's vision blurred with pure, unfiltered rage. In one swift, fluid motion, he fired.
The bullet struck Adrian's shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground with a strangled cry.
But it wasn't enough.
Damian rushed forward, his fists colliding with Adrian's face over and over. Years of betrayal. Of pain. Of losing everything he loved. It all poured out in every brutal punch.
"WHERE IS MY SON?!" Damian roared, his voice raw with desperation.
Adrian, bloodied and laughing through his broken teeth, coughed out a chilling reply.
"You'll never find him… Not before the clock runs out."
Later That Night – Hidden Safe House
Selina sat motionless, staring at the cracked monitor that still showed nothing but static.
Her body ached, but the pain was nothing compared to the gaping hole in her heart.
Damian stood by the window, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.
Neither of them spoke for what felt like hours.
Then, without turning, Damian finally spoke.
"I've failed you. I've failed him."
Selina stood, walking slowly to his side. Her voice trembled, but held firm.
"No… We haven't lost yet."
She placed a small, delicate hand against his chest, right above his beating heart.
"We fight. Until the last second. Until we bring our son home."
A soft vibration broke the silence.
Damian's encrypted phone flashed with a new message.
Unknown Number:"If you want your son… come alone. 24 hours. Final location: Sanctuary Pier."
Selina's knees nearly gave out.
Damian caught her before she fell, holding her close.
"I'm bringing him back, Selina. Even if it costs me my life."
Tears fell freely down her cheeks.
"No, Damian… You bring him back. And you come back to me. Both. Or not at all."
Fade to black.