C467 Hard Decision

Alicia shook her head. “Chris, it doesn't matter anymore. I have an announcement to make.” Her words immediately caught everyone's attention. Mark and Peter exchanged uneasy glances. They could both sense that Alicia was about to say something serious. Alicia took a deep breath before continuing. “I want to go back to my old life. I can't continue living this dangerous life anymore.” Mark froze. “Alicia, wait. I don't understand.” She turned toward him. “Father, I meant what I said.” There was determination in her voice, but behind it was an unmistakable sadness. “I want you to inform the Mayor that we found the organization responsible for everything. They are the Alvaro Gonzalez Cartel in Colombia.” Mark stared at her. “You found them?” “Yes.” “Then this is exactly what we've been working toward.” “I know.” “Then why are you quitting now?” Alicia looked down. “Because I want to mourn my son.” The room fell silent. Nobody knew how to respond.

Alicia wiped away a tear before continuing. “Finding that organization won't bring Emmanuel back. Completing another mission won't bring him back either. I have spent so much of my life trying to protect people, trying to fight criminals, trying to do what I believed was right.” She paused. “And now my son is dead.” Mark's expression softened. Alicia turned toward the Lions. “Lions, we've been through a lot together.” Everyone listened carefully. “We have fought together, trained together, protected each other, and become more than just a team. We've become a family.” Sarah lowered her head. “But this dangerous world is not for us anymore,” Alicia continued. “We cannot keep losing the people we love because of the lives we've chosen.” She looked around at everyone. “I don't want another funeral.” Nobody spoke. “I don't want any of you to stand beside another coffin wondering who will be next.” Sarah wiped the tears from her face. “Alicia…” Alicia took a deep breath. “We can remain friends. We can still be family. We can still support one another. But we cannot continue fighting criminals.”

Sarah looked at her in disbelief. “You mean… the Lions are finished?” Alicia nodded slowly. “Yes.” The words seemed to echo through the room. “The Lions are finished.” Several members looked at one another. Alicia continued. “You should all return to your normal roles. Live your lives. Spend time with your families. Do the things you couldn't do while we were constantly involved in dangerous missions.” She paused before adding, “And if anyone is out of a job, Lucia Goods will hire them on my behalf. I don't want any of you worrying about how you will survive after this.” Nobody immediately answered. Alicia looked at them one last time. “Thank you for everything.” She then turned around. On her way out she grabbed Gold and Diamond. Mark watched his daughter disappear through the doorway. For several seconds, he remained silent. Then he turned toward the rest of us. “My daughter may be speaking out of emotion,” he said. “She has just lost her son. She isn't thinking clearly. The Lions cannot end like this.”

Nobody responded. We all understood what Mark was saying. But nobody could ignore Alicia's pain either. Samantha slowly walked toward me. “Mike, how are you holding up?” I nodded. “I'll be fine.” She studied my face. “You don't have to pretend with us.” “I know.” I looked away. “I just need a break.” Samantha nodded. She understood. Faith looked around at the others. The decision had practically been made for us. One by one, the Lions began saying their goodbyes. There were no celebrations. No speeches. No promises. Just silence and sadness. The Lions eventually left. Everyone except Chris. He remained behind. When I turned around, I saw him standing near the doorway. “Brother,” he said quietly. I didn't answer. He followed me to my room. Once inside, he closed the door behind him. “I know the pain you're going through,” he said. “But don't let yourself fall back into that depression.”

I sat down on the edge of the bed. For several seconds, I stared at the floor. Then the tears came. “Brother, it's all my fault.” Chris immediately shook his head. “No.” “The gods have cursed me.” My voice trembled. “Nothing good ever comes to me. Every time I think my life is finally getting better, something happens. Every time I love someone, I lose them.” Chris walked toward me and pulled me into a hug. “Don't say that.” I cried against his shoulder. “My son is dead.” “I know.” “I was supposed to protect him.” “You tried.” “I failed.” Chris held me tighter. “You didn't kill Emmanuel, brother.” I pulled away and wiped my face. “Then why does it feel like I did?” Chris looked directly into my eyes. “Because you're his father. You're going to blame yourself because you believe you should have been able to prevent everything.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “But you can't carry the entire world on your back.” I looked at him silently. “You still have me,” he said. “And you still have Alicia.” My eyes filled with tears again. “Brother, I know you're stronger than this. But you don't have to be strong every second. Just don't give up completely.” I nodded. Chris remained with me for a while. We talked about everything that had happened. Eventually, Chris stood up. “I'm going to leave you to rest.” I nodded. “Thank you, brother.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Call me if you need anything.” After Chris left, I remained alone in the room. The silence returned.

Alicia arrived at the Gupta Residence. She walked through the entrance slowly. Her face still showed the exhaustion of someone who had barely slept. Miller was speaking with Victor when they noticed her. Alicia approached them. “Grandpa. Mr. Gupta.” Both men greeted her. “Hello, Alicia.” She forced a small smile. “Grandpa, I need to talk to you.” Miller looked at her carefully. “What is it, my child?” Alicia took a deep breath. “I have lost my innocent son because of leadership roles I never fully understood.” Victor's expression changed. Alicia continued. “I've decided to return Gold and Diamond to you.” Victor froze. He exchanged a quick glance with Miller. “You will always be my grandfather,” Alicia said. “And the Gupta family has treated me like one of their own. I will always be grateful for that.” She swallowed hard. “But I can't continue carrying this burden.” Miller stared at her. “Alicia…” “You can decide what to do with Gold and Diamond. If you want to give it to Hanna, that's your decision.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “But at least inform her that I have stepped away. I need my family to be safe.”

Miller coughed softly before responding. “Alicia, my child, it doesn't work that way.” She looked at him. “We cannot simply decide who carries Gold and Diamond. It chose you.” Victor nodded. “Your position is not something you can simply hand back.” Alicia smiled sadly. “How can it be mine when I'm losing the people who are dear to me because of it?” Neither man answered. “Grandpa, I know you want me to rebuild your family line. I know you want me to carry on what generations before me built.” She looked down. “But if rebuilding that family line destroys me in the process, then I cannot continue.” Miller's expression softened. “Alicia, you don't have to make this decision today.” “I already have.” She took a step backward. “I'm sorry.” She turned around. “Alicia.” She stopped but did not turn around. Miller's voice was gentle. “You will always be family.” Alicia closed her eyes. “I know.” She wiped away her tears and walked out. Once outside, the tears began falling freely. She quickly wiped them away. She didn't want anyone to see her crying. But no matter how hard she tried, the pain would not disappear.

Meanwhile, at Lucia Goods, the Lions had gathered inside the training hall. The entire company was unusually quiet. All Lucia Goods employees had taken the day off to attend Emmanuel's funeral, leaving the building almost completely empty. The Lions sat around the training hall, each lost in their own thoughts. Nobody seemed willing to be the first to speak. Finally, Amanda broke the silence. “Guys…” Everyone looked at her. “What do we do if Alicia and Mark decide to stop?” She paused. “Do we stop too?” The question hung in the air. Samantha looked toward Faith. “I met Faith because of the training.” Faith smiled faintly. Samantha continued. “I don't want to stop. I actually enjoy training, and I don't want to lose everything we've built.” She looked around the room. “But if we decide to stop, I can continue training just to stay fit. We don't necessarily have to remain involved in missions.” Sarah frowned. “But what happens if Hanna comes after us?” Everyone became quiet again. “Emmanuel was killed because of this life,” Sarah continued. “What would stop Hanna from coming after one of us next?” Nobody had an answer.

Sarah looked at each person. “We've all seen what she is capable of.” Laura shook her head. “It can't be that simple.” Sarah looked at her. “What do you mean?” Laura leaned back. “This attack was different.” She paused, thinking carefully. “It is clear that Hanna had a personal reason for doing this.” Amanda frowned. “And what makes you think that?” “Because of Gold and Diamond.” Laura looked around the room. “She asked for it in exchange for Emmanuel. That tells me something.” “What?” “She is after Gold and Diamond.” Laura continued. “If that's true, then Emmanuel may have been targeted because of Alicia's position rather than because Hanna wants to destroy every member of the Lions.” Sarah shook her head. “Or maybe that's exactly what she wants us to believe.” Laura fell silent. Sarah continued. “Let's say you're right. Let's say Hanna only wants Gold and Diamond.” She looked around the room. “What happens after she gets that dagger?” Nobody answered. “And if it isn't Hanna?” Sarah asked. “What if it's the enemies we will be been chasing?" Her voice became quieter. “We all know what it felt like to lose Emmanuel.” She looked at the empty space in front of them. Everyone lowered their heads. Sarah finally asked. “Are we really prepared to lose someone we love again?” Silence filled the training hall. No one had an answer.