Chapter 3 3

Olivia stood in front of her apartment building, the chill of the night air creeping into her bones despite the warmth of her coat. The city was quieter now, its usual hum of life muted by the growing tension inside her. Every corner of her mind was consumed with thoughts of Luca, of his lies, and of the warning she had received from Carter Graves. How had she not seen the truth before? How had she fallen for someone who lived in the shadows of the city's underworld?

Her phone buzzed again, dragging her from her spiraling thoughts. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message from Luca.

*"I'm waiting for you. Please come."*

The words seemed desperate, but a part of Olivia wondered if it was just another tactic. He had always been able to charm his way out of uncomfortable situations, but this time it felt different. The stakes were higher, and Olivia was no longer sure if she could trust her instincts. Luca had lied to her before. He had kept secrets from her. And now, the very life she thought she knew seemed to be crumbling around her.

She hesitated, staring at her phone, the weight of the decision pressing down on her chest. Her hand shook slightly as she typed her response.

*"I'm coming."*

---

Luca's penthouse apartment was just as she remembered it-sleek, modern, and filled with an air of polished luxury. The moment she stepped inside, the familiar smell of cologne and freshly cut flowers hit her, sending a wave of nostalgia through her. Everything felt strangely normal, as if nothing had changed. Yet, beneath the surface, everything had. Luca was no longer the man she thought she knew. The man she had fallen for.

Luca stood by the large windows, his back to her. He didn't turn when she entered. Instead, he continued to stare out at the city, his posture tense. Olivia's footsteps echoed softly in the large, open space, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

"Luca?" Her voice was tentative, uncertain.

He turned then, his eyes dark with something Olivia couldn't quite place. His jaw was clenched, and for a brief moment, she saw a flicker of something dangerous in his gaze. The confident, charming man she knew was gone, replaced by someone more guarded, more distant.

"Olivia." His voice was low, strained. "I'm glad you came."

She studied him for a moment, trying to make sense of the man standing before her. "You asked me to come," she said, her tone softer now. "What is this about?"

Luca took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I didn't want you to find out like this." His voice was filled with a deep regret that Olivia hadn't heard before. "I didn't want you to be dragged into this world."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. This world? What world was he talking about? The world of drugs, of crime? The world that Carter had warned her about?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "What are you talking about, Luca?"

He walked toward her, his movements slow, deliberate. "The things I've done, the people I've worked with... It's not something I can undo. But I never wanted you to be a part of it. I never wanted you to know."

Olivia's mind was racing, her pulse quickening as the pieces started to fall into place. She had known something was off, something wasn't right, but hearing him confirm it, hearing him say it out loud... it shattered her.

"Luca," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "are you telling me that you've been involved in organized crime?"

He didn't flinch. Instead, he nodded, his eyes dark with guilt. "Yes. For years. I've been trying to get out, but it's not that simple. I've built an empire, Olivia. One that doesn't just disappear."

Her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to scream, to cry, to demand answers. But the words wouldn't come. She had known him for months, had allowed herself to fall in love with him, and now this? The betrayal stung more than she ever thought possible.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she managed to ask, her voice shaking.

"I never wanted you to know," he said again, his voice filled with regret. "I didn't want to drag you into this. You were always different, Olivia. You were a way out for me. I thought if I kept you in the dark, you would stay safe. I was trying to protect you."

Her mind was spinning, and her heart felt like it was breaking all over again. "Protect me?" she repeated bitterly. "You think keeping me in the dark was protecting me? You've been lying to me, Luca. For months. And now you expect me to just... accept this?"

He stepped closer again, his hand reaching for her, but she pulled back instinctively. "Olivia, please," he pleaded. "I never meant for you to get hurt. I never meant for any of this to happen."

The words sounded empty, hollow. How could she believe him now? How could she believe anything he said after everything that had been revealed?

"I don't know if I can do this anymore, Luca," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don't know if I can trust you."

His face hardened, the desperation in his eyes replaced by something darker. "Don't do this," he said, his voice low. "You can't just walk away from me. Not after everything we've been through."

The anger surged within her. "You think I can just ignore this? That I can ignore the fact that you've been lying to me about everything?" Her voice rose, the tears threatening to spill over. "How could you keep something like this from me? I trusted you!"

"I never wanted to hurt you," he repeated, his voice raw with emotion. "But this is who I am, Olivia. This is the life I've built. I can't change it."

She took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. "You don't have to change, Luca," she said, her voice shaking with a mixture of sadness and rage. "But I do. I can't be with someone like you. Not after everything I've learned. I can't let you drag me down with you."

His face twisted with frustration, his hand clenching into a fist. "You're making a mistake," he said through gritted teeth. "I need you, Olivia. Don't walk away from me."

But she was already moving toward the door, her chest tight with emotion. Every step she took felt heavier than the last. She didn't look back as she reached for the door handle.

"I'm sorry, Luca," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't do this."

The door clicked shut behind her, and she was suddenly alone in the hall, the weight of her decision crashing down on her. Her heart ached, but the anger and betrayal burned hotter.

---

Olivia barely remembered the ride home. Her mind was numb, her thoughts a blur of confusion, anger, and heartbreak. How had she been so blind? How had she allowed herself to fall so deeply for a man who had so many secrets, so many lies?

When she stepped into her apartment, the silence felt deafening. The weight of her decisions, of her future, pressed on her shoulders like an invisible burden. She sank onto the couch, her body trembling, the tears she had been holding back finally falling.

The life she had known-her career, her relationships, everything-felt like it had been built on a lie. And now, all she had left was the reality of what Luca had hidden from her. He wasn't the man she thought he was. And she had to accept that.

But a small part of her-despite everything-wondered if it was too late to turn back.