I told Gunner a few weeks ago that my next fight, win or lose, would be my last. And after learning more about the plots against Gunner and me, now more than ever, I'm dead set on quitting the league.

It's not that I'm giving up in fear of Felicia and her cronies; that's not the case. Instead, I'm hanging it up because I have a family to care for. They're more important to me than some stupid boxing match, leaving me with cuts, bruises, and sore ribs for days after the fight. Quitting would also be better for my sanity and mental health.

With that said, I've got less than twenty-four hours to figure out how to leave the arena alive or do what I'm there to do, and that's to win the fight. However, if I were to win against Felicia, I better have a backup plan because the last thing I want is Wyatt growing up without his mother because of my poor choices.

Be smart, Aria... just be smart.

"What are you thinking so heavily about?" Walter asked as he entered the dining room, pushing the wheels of his wheelchair toward me.

"Everything," I breathed, returning my gaze to the wild lightning show brightening the sky.

"Why don't you come away from the patio door and sit at the table with me so we can talk about whatever this everything is that's on your mind?"

Since coming home from my father's, I've been doing everything I could to avoid talking to Walter about my conversation with Stella for the matter that I don't want him worrying about me-worrying so much that it'll kill him.

"I'm waiting..." Walter desperately emphasized when I continued staring at the sky. "Come on, Aria. Talk to me," he begged as I rested my forehead on the glass. "It can't be that bad."

"It is, Walter. It really is," I muttered, then sighed as I turned around. "I feel like everything in my life is fake and that my life isn't real-it's like it's a damn video game."

Walter furrowed his brows. "Why would you think that?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I quickly replied.

Walter's hand extended to the table's edge, then patted it. "Sit," he ordered. "I think it's time we have another heart-to-heart talk, woman."

As much as I look forward to and enjoy having these types of talks with him, this is one I'm dreading having with Walter, but I sat in the chair beside him, anyway.

Walter snickered, then teased, "At least you're still listening to your elders."

"Well, if I didn't, I'd be disciplined, right?"

"I'd love to discipline you, but I don't think that's something Gunner would approve of," he grinned. "If Gunner were to walk in here and see me spanking your cute little patootie, he'd be one jealous lover boy. If it wouldn't make him jealous, he'd be pissed enough to make my lights go out forever."

I laughed. "No, he wouldn't."

Walter smiled, showing me his dentures as he spoke. "You wanna bet?"

"You're something else," I said, giggling.

"So are you... anywho... start talking, woman. Tell me why you think your life is a video game when we all know it clearly isn't."

"Look at how my life has been for me. It's been nothing but a gigantic mess. And it has me feeling the only way I can continue living is if I were to pay. And if I don't, someone will pick up on it and destroy me within seconds. Just think about it, Walter. When I met Gunner, I was nothing. It also scared me to do anything involving going out of my comfort zone. Gunner picked up on it, and then he worked with me-teaching me how to level up my skills, intelligence, and strength by showing me the ropes on how to protect myself with self-defense. Not long after learning to do that, Nikki and I were kidnapped and nearly killed. Then, to save our lives, I had to do the unthinkable-something I never thought I could do. And to this day, even though she wasn't a good person and deserved what she got, it still bothers me that I ended someone's life."

He pointed at me and then reminded me of Shelby's situation. "Consider that incident as double jeopardy. She was already dead, remember?"

"Yes, I remember, and I know that's why they never charged me. But the fact remains, it eats at me daily that I was the one who pulled the trigger-ending Shelby's life for good."

"I know this is easier said than done, but you must quit thinking about that day. And if you can't stop thinking about it, you need to start thinking about how you did what you had to do to continue living. So you could marry that muscular stallion you're married to now. And so you and Gunner can make beautiful babies. You've already got one handsome little man, and now that you have him, you need to think about making more of them, so he has someone else to annoy and fight with," he added, smirking.

He's right about that. And I told Gunner I was ready to give him more children, to which I am. So I better listen to Walter and quit dwelling on that part of my life.

Starting now.

Walter's neck extended toward me, and with a serious look on his handsome wrinkly face, he asked, "So what do you say? Will you stop allowing that woman to continue living rent-free in that mind of yours?"

"I'll try."

He squeezed my hand, urging, "Don't try, just do it."

"Okay."

Walter sat tall and smiled. "Good. Now that's taken care of, what else has been cooking in your mind?"

Gosh. Where do I start?

How do I tell him what Stella warned me about and how my life was on the line starting tomorrow?

Walter's fingers drummed the tabletop, making me look at him. His eyes were wandering side to side while heavily focusing on me. The longer I hesitated to tell him what he was anxiously waiting to hear; his expression turned into concern.

"Well, Aria? Are you going to tell me finally what's bothering you? Or will I have to beat it out of you?"

I giggled, shaking my head. "No, you won't have to beat it out of me. I just don't know how to tell you everything that Stella warned me about. That's all."

With his eyes on mine, Walter leaned closer to me. "You know, I'm no spring chicken anymore, so you can tell me everything."

"It's about Felicia," I muttered.

Walter sat straight, drawing his brows together. "Are you trying to say that Stella put fear into your mind so you'd lose tomorrow night's fight against Felicia?"

Yes and no...

"Kind of..."

"Start from the beginning," he demanded to know, "and don't you dare leave anything out," he warned, pointing at me.

"Well--" I reluctantly began, then smiled as I told Walter how beautiful the visit with Stella started, how she talked to me as if she's known me all her life, and how she acted as if we were tight sisters that tell each other everything.

My smile quickly faded into a frown when I brought up Felicia's name, how she was involved with Cole and Stella's relationship, the incidents with Gunner, and how she was also involved with what went down in Malaysia.

Surprisingly, Walter listened instead of opening his mouth like he usually does when I try telling him something important. But that quickly changed after telling him about Felicia's plan.

"Let me ask you something. Do you trust Stella? And I ask, how can you trust or believe a word she says when you two know nothing about each other? What if she's throwing fear at you so you would lose, purposely lose, or cause you to want to forfeit?"

"All of that came to mind while she was explaining everything to me, but then I thought of something my dad said when he talked to me about a family picture they had taken a couple of years ago. He mentioned they took the picture right before she took off to New York to get away from her boyfriend. Which she confirmed was Cole. So Stella's sincerity and straightforwardness, along with the fear in her voice when she told me what Felicia was planning, instantly made me think differently. So, yes, I believe her."

Walter got quiet, looking at me as if he was thinking about what to say, not wanting to say the wrong thing. Something was stirring in his mind, and the longer his eyes gazed into mine, and he remained tight-lipped, the more nervous I became. Hopefully, he doesn't suggest before I become Felicia's victim that I do as I did to Shelby, because that isn't happening. I lucked out then, not getting in trouble; there's no way I'd luck out again.

Not this time.

"You know what I think?"

"I'm afraid to ask," I quickly interrupted.

"I'm sure you are... and I hope you haven't forgotten how good I am at reading minds because I just read yours." Then, he aimed his finger at me, sternly saying, "And what I just read, I hope you're not planning on doing it."

I swallowed hard, then breathed, "I have no idea what you're talking about?"

"Yes, you do. And if you choose to do it, I'll be extremely disappointed with you... stop shaking your head," Walter grimly added after showing him I disagreed with what he was trying to say. "You can dispute what I have to say all you like. But, just know; it won't get you very far, which I won't put up with. I may be old and on my deathbed, but that doesn't mean squat." He smirked. "My brain works as it did when I was young, dumb, and full of cum. And I'm smart enough to know and see that you're planning on allowing Felicia to win. You want to give her what she wants, thinking if you do, she'll allow you to walk away."

Ugh...

He raised his hand, extended his finger, and repeatedly tapped his temple. "Use your brain, Aria. If you allow yourself to give her the win as she wants, she'll still never let you walk away after the match. So if you believe what Stella told you, you should know that it won't end there. She won't be happy until you're gone. Isn't that what you said she's looking to accomplish so your father can focus on her instead of the two kids he's longed to see and wish to have back in his life?"

"Yeah," I agreed, slowly nodding. Stella said Felicia wanted me and Justin to be gone forever, well, more so me than Justin, but she also warned that Felicia would go to extreme lengths to do whatever it took for that to happen.

"So then you need to beat her at her own game. You show that Felicia bitch that you're not one to mess with. And if you were to ask me, she's pretty dumb to want to do anything to you if she knows what you did to Shelby."

"Which I'll never do again," I reminded, "and if that's what you're suggesting I do again to end this madness once and for all, you can forget it. I won't do it. No way," I adamantly cautioned, knowing if I were to do anything as I did back in Malaysia, I'd surely end up in the nut house.

Plus, even though I told myself I couldn't care less what my father thinks or cares about his feelings, it's a lie. After talking to him and Stella and learning more of what I have, I'd be lying to myself and everyone else if I were to repeat those same remarks. And because my father fears losing his children again, there's no way I'd be the one to break his heart.

That's something Felicia can do.

"I need to figure out what to do without it costing me my life and without causing my father to have another heartbreak-he's been tormented enough."

Walter tapped his temple. "You're a brilliant woman; you'll figure it out. And if you don't want another repeat of two years ago, then I suggest you use your intelligent brain to devise a plan."

That's exactly what I was hoping to figure out-a plan.

"Whatever you decide to do, just remember, the best thing to do is the right thing. The next best thing you could do is the wrong thing, but the worst thing you could ever do is nothing. And if you choose to do nothing about your situation, then you'll find yourself where you don't want to be-buried deep in the ground, marked with an engraved stone that states here lies Aria, a beautiful wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend-Walter's best friend."

***

My overly pounding heart rate, sweaty palms, tightness in my shoulders, dry mouth, jitters, and nerves are causing me to be a nervous wreck. However, the nagging thoughts and doubts about tonight's fight against Felicia are also causing my nerves to send physical sensations directly into my belly, initiating the sleeping butterflies into motion.

As I soaked in the warm bath to ease my nerves and relax my muscles, I couldn't help but think about the conversation I had with Walter and how disappointed he'd be with me if I were to cave to Felicia and let her win.

After everything I've worked hard for and achieved since meeting Gunner, I'd be a fool to allow Felicia to win, but I also don't want to put my family in harm's way if I were to win, either.

No matter what I decide to do, win or purposely lose, either way, I'm fucked.

Gunner insists I shouldn't worry about the fight or what'll happen after the battle with Hell's Baby, claiming there's no way he, Neron, or Walter will allow anything to happen to me. The thing is, anything can happen at any given time, whether or not they're around me, especially inside the ring. All it'll take is for her to cheat or, by doing something illegal that would get the job she's determined to do, done.

Then again, it would also disqualify her, instantly placing me as the champion-angering her even more...

Ugh... it's just like I told Walter-my life is a damn video game where I'm out of money to purchase more lives.

Walter said, 'Do what you think you need to do. Right or wrong, you need to do what's best for you and your family. But whatever you do, don't choose to do nothing about the situation. All I can say is the choice you decide to make; better be the right one.'

Fuck it...

I think I've concluded what I need to do.

Hopefully, it's the right decision.

***

"The hero and the coward both feel the same thing. But the hero uses his fear, projects it onto his opponent, while the coward runs. It's the same thing, fear, but it's what you do with it that matters." -Cus D'Amato-legendary boxing coach amongst legends.

Because of Neron's rules, Gunner and I arrived at the arena an hour earlier than we were supposed to. And I'm glad we did. The full-body light massage Gunner was giving to help calm me down and to awaken my body for what was coming helped diminish my rattled nerves.

After days of feeling tense and on edge, I finally felt tranquil and happy. I wasn't sure how long that feeling would last, but at the moment, I didn't care. I'm the most relaxed I've felt in weeks.

"How are you feeling now?" Gunner quietly asked, his lips grazing my ear as he spoke.

I rolled over onto my back, wrapped my arms around him, and smiled. "I feel wonderful," I answered in awe, emphasizing wonderful.

His mouth lowered to mine, kissing me with warmth and passion, causing my toes to curl and my body temperature rising. I broke the kiss. "You better stop showing how much you love me."

"Why's that?" Gunner asked, chuckling and grinning as he spoke.

"Because it's making me want more than just a kiss. And I don't want Neron walking in while you're doing squat thrusts in the cucumber patch and scolding us for breaking his rules."

His lips curved into a mischievous grin. "I'd love it if he were to walk in while I was giving you the hot meat injection."

"You may love rattling his feathers, as do I at times, but tonight isn't the night to make Neron's hackles rise before my match," I advised before adding underneath my breath, I'm sure I'll be doing plenty of that to him during the fight.

Gunner lowered his hand to mine, pulled me to sit, then sat next to me. He reached for the tape, and as he began wrapping my hand, he said, "Walter slipped up earlier and told me what you were thinking about doing." He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed my fingertips. "You worked your ass off to get where you are tonight. So please don't do anything stupid by handing her the win. It'll just give her more ammo to bring you down."

He tapped the tip of my nose. "You're here for a reason, and it's not because of her. It's because of you-your determination and dedication to being the best. That's why you're here, to show and prove to everyone you are the best."

"All right. Time's up," Neron growled as he entered the room. "How did I know you'd be in this room with her breaking the rules, advising Aria to go against everything I've taught her to do?"

"You've got it all wrong, you old nervous Nelly. In fact, I was doing the opposite," Gunner enlightened, grinning. Proud to have upset Neron, as always. "I'll have you know; I was only explaining what she came here to do. And to prove to everyone that she's the best. Because that's what she is-the best. And I couldn't be more proud of her," Gunner praised, looking back at me.

"Thanks, Gunner." I kissed him on the lips, then sat back and grinned. "Now, get out of here before you give Neron a heart attack."

***

I wanted to surprise Gunner and the fans here to cheer me on. So at the last minute, I pulled my entrance song, swapping Thunderstruck for one of Gunner's favorite songs. Not only is it his favorite, but it's also the one he uses as his. And I switched it for a reason. It's a warning to Felicia-Don't Tread on Me.

Entering the arena as the song played gave me goosebumps, erecting the tiny hairs on my arms to stand tall. It also caused my tits to bolt upright.

The reasoning?

Because it riled up the spectators, resulting in being inside the loudest arena I've ever heard. But the other reason I got the chills was how thrilled and excited Gunner acted when I walked past him, chanting don't tread on my wife.

Xavier squirted water into my mouth. "You've got this, Aria. Now go in there and show who's boss," he motivated me before giving me a push to get into the ring.

As I met Felicia at the center of the squared circle, the third man in the ring came over to us to give us the usual instructions. "Let's have a clean fight tonight, okay? No touching gloves until I say, go back to your corners when the bell rings, and remember, protect yourselves at all times. Got it?"

Felicia and I both nodded, and then she looked at me and taunted, "Good luck, Aria, you'll need it."

Whatever.

My eyes rolled as I responded, "Same with you."

The second the bell rang, alerting us the round had started, I did something I never do. I shot a warning, letting her know I was ready to fight-a left hook followed by a rear hook.

She returned with a quick jab, cross, and right-handed hook, to which I blocked all three hits. "Amateur," I mocked, egging her on for more.

We bobbed and weaved around, both of us striking and blocking. As more fists came at me, I ducked and dipped, then returned with a jab, cross, left hook, cross, lunged, then immediately threw a left hook towards Felicia's liver, followed by my right fist to her nose, and left hook to her chin. I quickly rolled to my right and got out of her range when she stumbled around like she had chicken legs.

The arena suddenly got louder. And it got even louder when the bell rang three times.

As I headed to Neron, someone sitting in the front row caught my eye-Stella. But when I got to Neron, Maxwell, and Xavier, I noticed it wasn't just her sitting there; my father was too.

"You're doing good, Aria," Neron praised for once as I sat in the chair, "keep it up. But it isn't over yet, and she isn't done fucking with you. You started strong, which is how she wanted you to start. She's toying with you, hoping to wear you out. So, keep your eyes on her and your gloves up. She's got something cooking, and the second she realizes you're tired, she'll go in for the kill."

I swooshed the water in my mouth, then spit it into the bucket Maxwell held in front of me.

"I know what she's up to," I admitted, my eyes on her.

"You need to trap her against the ropes and show how weak the bitch is."

Yes, I know...

I nodded, letting Neron know I acknowledged what he was insisting I do and that I agreed with him, as the bell alerted us our brief break was over. I jumped from my seat, made my way to the center, and as I approached Felicia, she taunted, "I was being easy on you; now you're going down."

That's what she thinks.

Felicia continued her taunts as we moved around the center ring. Then, wishing to shut her up, I punched her in the solar plexus instead of shoving my fist into her mouth. At first, I thought I had knocked her out after she dropped to her knees and then laid flat on the mat. But when the boxing judge came over and started counting, she pushed herself up, got to her feet, and then smarted off again, "Nice try, but it wasn't enough to end this fight."

A devilish smile formed on her face as her fists came at me, and then as she continued taunting me, an evil laugh escaped her, "... tell me, Aria, how did it feel growing up without a mother and father? Did it make you feel loved and special having a mother who lived in a mental ward and a father who wasn't there for you because he wanted nothing to do with you?" she punched me in the liver and then took a jab at my throat, and as I dropped to my face, she laughed. "Yeah, that's right. Dad wanted no part in raising losers, only winners."

I couldn't breathe, and as I tried regaining my breath, the ref got to his knees and started counting. My eyes found Gunner's, and as he jumped in the air, yelling with his arms raising for me to get up, I looked away from him and over to Stella and my father. Stella screamed for me to get up and fight back, and then there was my father; his eyes were closed-looking as if he were praying.

Felicia carried on with her hurting words, and the more she got under my skin, the more confused I became.

Did my father and Stella lie to me to fuck with me, or was Felicia lying, hoping I'd give up?

Felicia heckled away as she stood near the ref and me. Then, finally, I regained my breath, and when the boxing judge reached the end of the ten-second count, I changed my mind about giving her the win and hurried to my feet, causing the arena to become loud again.

My side and throat were sore. But to show Felicia that I wouldn't allow her to get to me, I did my best to block out the pain and get back in the game by getting angry and shoving her to the corner of the ropes. She found humor in my irritation with her, but all that did was anger me more, which I couldn't control.

Felicia's arms tightly wrapped around me, blocking me from attacking her more. "It feels good not to be loved by a parent, doesn't it?" she spat out as the ref broke us apart.

Felicia's words hurt, causing my eyes to fill with tears, but because I knew she was saying everything she could to break me, I ignored her, reached around the ref when the bell rang, and blindsided Felicia by sucker-punching her.

The boxing judge angrily aimed his finger at me. "That was an illegal hit. You do that one more time, and you'll be immediately disqualified," he warned. "Now, get to your corner," he ordered.

"What the fuck was that, Aria?" Neron harshly growled as I sat. "You know the fucking rules! Are you trying to lose?"

I spit out my mouth guard, then shook my head. "She pissed me off."

"Who the fuck cares? I sure as hell don't! What I care about is you winning this fucking match! Got it? You're here to win, not to get disqualified for being ignorant. So worry about winning instead of fretting about her cold, insensitive, and hateful words." He gave me a shove. "Now get the fuck back out there and win!"

Felicia approached me with a look that warned me that if I didn't end this by knocking her out, I better watch out for what she's planned for me-and that's killing me. Next, I saw not Felicia's ugly face but Wyatt's cute little face. Seeing his face changed my entire thought process and game plan. So when the ref gave us the okay to fight, I immediately went on the attack and persisted until she had enough and fell flat on her face. The crowd wildly cheered, then roared even louder when they declared me the winner.

Everyone inside the arena would think I'd be happy with winning, but I'm not. Instead, I now have an immense trepidation about what'll happen to my family and me after leaving the arena-a fear I didn't want. The entire reason I planned on giving Felicia the win.

I think I'm really fucked now because when Felicia's coach helped her stand, the death stare she gave me, showing massive daggers, told me I wouldn't be making it home tonight alive.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!🤞🤞