Part 2: Consequences and Revelations

This chapter escalates the physical danger to a whole new level. Julian’s plan to use himself as bait shows his reckless courage, but Isabella saving him by tackling him out of the way reveals how much she’s come to care about him despite all his chaos. Alexander’s terror when he sees she’s been hurt is raw and unfiltered—his feelings are becoming impossible to hide. The car attack is bold and desperate, suggesting whoever wants Julian dead is running out of patience for subtle approaches. And Julian’s final observation that they’re now willing to kill Isabella too means she’s crossed a line from protected bystander to active threat. The stakes just got lethal.