Chapter 4 4

The morning sun filtered weakly through the blinds, casting long shadows across Olivia's apartment. She had barely slept the night before, her thoughts a constant whirl of confusion and betrayal. Every time she closed her eyes, the memory of Luca's words echoed in her mind. "I never wanted you to know."

Her phone sat on the coffee table, silent and accusing. The unanswered texts from Luca stared back at her, each one growing more desperate as the hours passed. The rational part of her mind told her to ignore him, to move on, but the emotional part-her heart-rebelled. She had loved him. Truly loved him. She had trusted him.

But how could she trust someone who had been living a double life, hiding such a dangerous secret from her?

The front door buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. Olivia's stomach clenched, a sense of dread rising in her chest. She had expected this, in a way. After what had happened last night, it was only a matter of time before Luca would show up.

She hesitated, staring at the door, her heart pounding in her chest. He could be on the other side, waiting for her to forgive him, to give him another chance. But could she really do that? Could she go back to the man who had betrayed her trust so completely?

With a deep breath, Olivia stood up and walked toward the door. She didn't have to open it to know who was on the other side. She had been expecting this moment.

She opened it slowly, her eyes locking with Luca's. He stood there, his expression a mixture of desperation and regret. His dark eyes searched hers, his gaze intense, but this time, Olivia felt no warmth. Only cold uncertainty.

"Olivia," Luca said softly, his voice trembling. "Please, we need to talk."

A heavy silence hung between them. Olivia crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze unwavering. "I don't think there's anything left to say, Luca."

He winced at her words, but didn't back away. "I know I've lied to you. I know I've kept things from you, but it wasn't because I didn't care. It was because I wanted to protect you. You have to believe me."

The words felt empty now. She had heard them too many times. Protecting her? If he truly cared, why hadn't he been honest from the start?

"I don't know if I can believe anything you say anymore," Olivia replied, her voice cold. "You've kept me in the dark for months, Luca. How can I trust you now?"

His jaw clenched, his eyes flickering with frustration. "You don't understand. This life... it's not something you just walk away from. I've made mistakes, yes, but it's not that simple."

"I don't want to understand," Olivia said, shaking her head. "I can't be a part of this. I can't be with someone who's been lying to me about everything."

Luca reached out, his hand hovering in the air, but he didn't touch her. "I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted you to find out like this, but I can't change the past. What I can do is fight for us. Please, Olivia."

His plea made her heart ache, but the rational part of her knew it wasn't enough. His actions had already spoken louder than any words ever could. She couldn't ignore the truth anymore.

"I'm sorry," Olivia whispered, her voice breaking. "I just can't."

With that, she closed the door gently, shutting him out. The finality of it hit her like a wave, her heart breaking with every passing second. But there was no other choice. She couldn't go back to a life of lies and deceit. Not when the truth had come crashing down so violently.

---

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Olivia tried to focus on her work, but the case-her life-felt like it was unraveling at the seams. She couldn't concentrate. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Luca, to the man she had thought she knew, to the lies that had tainted everything.

But there was something else gnawing at her. Despite the betrayal, despite everything that had happened, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the choices she had made. The love she had for Luca hadn't disappeared overnight, and every moment of silence between them felt like a wound.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts. This time, it was a text from Ryan.

*"Olivia, we need to talk. Come to the office."*

The urgency in his message made her stomach tighten. She had been avoiding Ryan's calls all day, not wanting to discuss the case or the mess she had created by getting involved with Luca. But now, it seemed there was no escaping it.

---

Ryan was waiting for her when she arrived at the office, his expression grim. He didn't ask her how she was or if she had seen Luca. Instead, he went straight to business, his eyes scanning the folder in front of him.

"I've been looking into the case," he said, his voice steady. "And I think we may be closer to something bigger than we thought."

Olivia frowned, her mind struggling to focus. "What do you mean?"

Ryan slid a series of documents across the table to her. "The financials you looked at last night. They're just the tip of the iceberg. I've traced the payments and found some troubling connections. Luca's involvement is much deeper than we realized."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean deeper?"

Ryan leaned forward, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm not sure, but I've found links between Luca and several key figures in the drug trade. High-level people, Olivia. People with connections to some of the most dangerous crime syndicates in the city."

She felt her breath catch in her throat. "No. That can't be true. Luca isn't..."

"Olivia, I wish it weren't true," Ryan interrupted. "But the evidence doesn't lie. He's involved, and it's only a matter of time before we uncover more."

Her heart pounded in her chest. It was one thing to suspect Luca, but hearing it confirmed-hearing it from Ryan-was a whole different reality. She had never been naive enough to think that Luca was innocent, but this was a betrayal on a scale she hadn't imagined.

Ryan's gaze softened, his voice gentle. "You have to face the truth. He's not who you think he is. And if you keep protecting him, you'll only be dragged deeper into his world."

Olivia's mind was racing. Everything she had thought she knew about Luca-the man she had loved-was a lie. She had trusted him with everything, and now that trust was shattered. But despite the pain, there was one question that refused to leave her mind.

If Luca was really this deep in the underworld, why had he asked her to stay? Why had he begged her to stay with him, knowing the danger it could bring?

"What happens now?" she asked quietly, her voice shaky.

Ryan stood up, his expression firm. "Now, we move forward. We bring him in. We have to do this, Olivia. For your safety, for the safety of everyone involved."

The words hung in the air, and for the first time, Olivia realized just how far she was from the life she had once known. She wasn't just in love with a man anymore. She was tangled in a web of deceit, and there was no easy way out.

---

Later that night, Olivia found herself standing at her apartment window, staring out at the city below. The lights twinkled in the distance, but everything felt distant now. She had always prided herself on her ability to see things clearly, to make decisions based on logic and reason. But now, all of that seemed to have failed her. She had allowed herself to fall for a man who was entangled in a world of danger and lies.

Her phone buzzed again, this time with a message from an unknown number.

*"I told you not to walk away from me."*

The words sent a chill down her spine. She didn't have to look to know who it was. Luca was watching her, waiting for her to come back. But there was no going back anymore.

She had made her choice. She had to stay strong, no matter the cost.

But deep down, a part of her still wondered: was it really too late to save him? Was it too late for them?