chapter 2

The rain drummed softly against the windows of Lena's apartment, its steady rhythm a backdrop to the tension that filled the room. Lena stood by the window, her arms loosely wrapped around herself, staring out into the dark, rain-soaked streets below. The image of Jacob stumbling away, his heart shattered, flickered in her mind, but it elicited no sympathy—only a cold satisfaction.

“He’ll survive, won’t he?” Lena remarked offhandedly, her voice carrying an edge of indifference as she spoke. She didn’t even bother to turn around.

Victor, lounging on the couch with a self-satisfied grin, let out a low chuckle. “He’s like a cockroach—annoying, but hard to kill. It’s a pity he’s too stupid to realize he’s not wanted.”

Lena smirked, finally turning to face Victor. “Jacob always did have a way of clinging to things that were never his to begin with.”

Victor’s smile widened, the amusement in his eyes growing. “Pathetic, isn’t it? thinking he could keep up with us. The poor idiot actually believed you cared about him.”

Lena’s eyes flashed with something between amusement and contempt. “He was always so desperate for approval, always looking for a way to prove himself. But he never understood that he was only ever meant to be a stepping stone.”

Victor leaned back, folding his arms across his chest as he looked up at her. “Do you think he’s crying right now? Or is he too numb from all the beatings?”

Lena laughed, a harsh, humourless sound. “I hope he is. Maybe then he’ll finally realize how pathetic he is.”

Victor’s expression darkened, but with satisfaction, not anger. “He’s always been a burden, Lena. Always looking up to me, following me around like a lost puppy. I didn’t mind shoving him into his place tonight. It’s where he belongs, grovelling at the feet of people who actually matter.”

Lena walked over to the couch, her movements slow and deliberate. She stopped just short of sitting down, looking at Victor with a glint of something sinister in her eyes. “Jacob was never going to be anything more than a joke, Victor. It’s just too bad he was the only one who didn’t realize it.”

Victor chuckled, nodding in agreement. “He’s a joke, alright. And the punchline is his entire life. Trying to be something he’s not, thinking he could ever be on our level… It’s laughable.”

Lena tilted her head slightly as if contemplating something. “Do you think he’ll try to come back? Try to beg for forgiveness?”

Victor shrugged, an uncaring gesture. “Let him try. It’ll be fun watching him crawl back, thinking there’s a chance in hell we’d let him back in. And when he does, I’ll make sure he knows exactly how worthless he is.”

A slow, cruel smile spread across Lena’s face. “I’d love to see that. Watching him squirm, realizing just how insignificant he’s always been.”

Victor’s eyes gleamed with malicious glee. “We should make it a spectacle. Invite some friends over, let them see the sad excuse for a man he’s become.”

Lena’s smile widened. “Yes, let’s. It’ll be entertaining to watch him break down in front of everyone, finally seeing what he’s always been—nothing.”

Victor leaned forward, his tone almost conspiratorial. “And after that, we’ll make sure he disappears for good. No one will even remember he existed.”

Lena nodded, her gaze icy. “That’s exactly what he deserves. To be forgotten, just like the insignificant worm he is.”

Victor smirked, his eyes meeting hers. “You and I, Lena, we’re above him. Above all of them. They don’t understand power like we do. And Jacob? He’s just another casualty in our climb to the top.”

Lena finally sat down, her posture relaxed, as if the conversation had drained the last bit of interest she had in Jacob. “Let’s forget about him, Victor. He’s nothing but a bad memory now.”

Victor nodded, his expression hardening as he looked at Lena. “Exactly. Jacob’s out of the picture, and now we can finally move forward without any dead weight dragging us down.”

Lena’s eyes met his, a cold fire burning within them. “To the future, then. One where we never have to think about him again.”

Victor raised an imaginary glass, a mocking toast to their cruel triumph. “To the future.”

Lena clinked her invisible glass against his, both of them sharing a laugh that echoed through the room, cold and devoid of any warmth.

The conversation took on a more relaxed tone, but the mockery continued. “You know, Victor,” Lena said, her voice dripping with satisfaction, “I wonder if he’ll find some pathetic corner to lick his wounds. Maybe he’ll even convince himself that he’s better off.”

Victor scoffed, shaking his head. “Better off? He’s delusional if he thinks he’s better off without us. He’s always been a loser. Now he’s just finally faced the reality of it.”

Lena leaned in, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you think he’ll try to get revenge? Maybe come after us in some pathetic attempt to reclaim his pride?”

Victor laughed, the sound rich with contempt. “Let him try. It’d be amusing to watch him fail miserably. I wouldn’t waste a moment worrying about him. He’s already out of our lives.”

Just then, Victor’s phone buzzed, drawing his attention. He glanced at the screen and smirked. “Looks like everything is falling into place,” he said, satisfaction dripping from his voice.

Victor slipped his phone back into his pocket, his gaze lingering on Lena with a hint of something mischievous. “You know, Lena,” he said, his tone taking on a teasing edge, “I have a surprise for you.”

Lena’s eyes lit up with excitement, her earlier indifference replaced by a spark of curiosity. “What kind of surprise?” she asked, leaning in slightly, eager for more.

Victor just chuckled, shaking his head. “Patience, Lena,” he said, his voice smooth and teasing. “All in good time.”

Lena pouted, but the thrill of not knowing only fueled her excitement further. “Come on, Victor. You can’t tease me like this and not tell me more.”

Victor leaned closer, his eyes locked on hers with a glimmer of mischief. “You’ll have to wait a bit longer. But trust me, it will be worth it.”

Lena’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I can’t wait. Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be incredible.”

Victor’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. “I knew you’d be excited. This is just the beginning,We’re on the verge of something extraordinary. You feel it, right?”

Lena’s heart raced at the promise of what was to come. “ Yes, tell me more,” she urged, her voice a mix of excitement and impatience. “What’s the surprise?”

Victor shook his head, a playful grin on his face. “I’m not giving anything away yet. You’ll have to be patient.”

Lena leaned back, her excitement barely contained. “If I’m going  to wait then you better make it worth it.”

Victor’s gaze softened slightly, though his smirk remained. “Don’t you worry. It will be more than worth it.”

As Victor’s phone buzzed again, he glanced at it with a satisfied nod. “Everything is falling in line,” he said, his voice dripping with anticipation.

Lena’s excitement was almost palpable as she looked at him. “What’s the surprise?”