Chapter 5 Unexpected deliveries

Elena's POV

The next day was Saturday, and the soft light of early morning filtered through the heavy curtains of the guest house. Elena moved slowly through the large rooms, tidying up the scattered remnants of restless nights and restless thoughts. The estate was grand it was passed on from generation to generation in Elena's Mums family it was passed unto every daughter and now it was Elena's turn to have it , but the silence that filled it was heavy, almost suffocating. Dusting a shelf here, straightening a cushion there, she tried to keep her mind from spiraling.

Her thoughts drifted back to Saint Petersburg-her parents' cold faces, the harsh words, the secret she was still struggling to understand. She had left that city behind just hours ago, but the weight of what awaited her here pressed down like a stone.

A sudden chime from the doorbell pulled her from her reverie. She wasn't expecting visitors. Curious, she crossed the polished floor and opened the door.

Amy stood there, a bright smile lighting up her face, a bouquet of wildflowers in her hands. Her cheeks were rosy from the crisp air outside, and her eyes sparkled with warmth.

"Elena!" Amy exclaimed, stepping inside without hesitation. "I thought I'd surprise you."

Elena's lips curved into a genuine smile for the first time in days. "Amy, you have no idea how much I needed this."

They settled into the cozy sitting room, the familiar scent of Amy's perfume mixing with the faint aroma of fresh tea. For a few hours, the world outside the estate faded away as they caught up on everything-Elena's sudden trip back to Saint Petersburg, the strange, suffocating atmosphere of the Romano estate, and the secrets she was only beginning to unravel.

Amy listened intently, her brow furrowing with concern. "Elena, this sounds serious. Are you sure you're okay?"

Elena laughed softly, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her. "I'm managing. Somehow. But it's like my whole life flipped upside down overnight."

Amy reached out, squeezing her hand. "You don't have to go through this alone."

The afternoon slipped by in a comforting blur of laughter and shared memories, a brief refuge from the storm gathering around Elena's life.

Suddenly, a distant rumble interrupted their conversation. The ground seemed to vibrate faintly beneath their feet. Elena and Amy exchanged puzzled glances before moving to the window.

Outside, a long line of trucks was rolling down the estate's driveway-one after another, more than fifty in total, each larger and more imposing than the last. The sheer scale of the convoy was staggering.

Elena's eyes widened in disbelief. "What on earth...?"

Amy joined her at the window, equally stunned. "Is that... trucks? Here?"

The trucks began unloading with military precision-crates of finely tailored clothing, boxes of designer shoes, elegant furniture wrapped in protective coverings, a sleek new car gleaming under the afternoon sun, and an endless supply of groceries and household goods.

Elena's breath caught. The magnitude of it all was overwhelming.

Her phone buzzed sharply in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw an incoming call from an unknown number. Hesitating for a moment, she answered.

"Hello?"

A smooth, amused voice greeted her. "Elena, welcome to your new wardrobe and lifestyle. Consider this a... warm-up."

Elena blinked, heart pounding. "Who is this?"

A chuckle, low and confident. "Let's just say, your 'fiancé' wanted to make a good impression."

Before she could respond, the line went dead.

Amy looked at her, eyes wide with shock. "That was... Luca Romano?"

Elena nodded slowly, the reality sinking in deeper with every passing second. The man she hadn't even met yet was already making his presence impossible to ignore.

She turned back to the window, watching as the trucks continued to unload, the estate filling with signs of a life she hadn't chosen but was now forced to live.

The weight of it all pressed down on her, but beneath the overwhelm, a flicker of resolve began to grow.

The last of the trucks had been unloaded, but the activity around the estate was far from over. A few workers approached the guest house, their faces professional and businesslike. They carried clipboards and wore uniforms that marked them as part of Luca Romano's extensive staff.

A polite knock echoed through the quiet room.

"Elena Moretti?" one of the men called softly. "We've been sent to help arrange the items you received. May we come in?"

Elena exchanged a glance with Amy, then nodded. "Come in." It's not like she could refuse.

The workers stepped inside, moving with practiced efficiency. They began unpacking boxes, carefully arranging the furniture, laying out the clothes and shoes, and polishing the new car that gleamed just outside the window.

One of the men handed Elena a small, sleek key fob. "These are the keys to your new cars, ma'am."

Amy's eyes lit up as she watched the workers transform the space. "Wow, Elena! Look at all this! The clothes, the furniture, and that car-this is incredible!"

Elena forced a small smile but remained quiet.

Amy turned to her, curiosity shining through her excitement. "So... what are you going to do with all this? It's a lot to take in."

Elena sighed, her fingers tightening around the key fob. "I don't know yet. I'm still trying to figure out what any of this means for me."

Before Amy could respond, Elena's phone buzzed sharply in her hand. She glanced down to see a new message from an unknown number.

"If you plan on giving any of these away, just know I'll send ten times more than before."

Elena's breath caught. The message was a clear warning, wrapped in a thinly veiled threat.

Amy's smile faded as she read over Elena's shoulder. "That's... intense. Who is he?"

Elena's eyes darkened. "Luca Romano. The man I'm supposed to marry."

Amy shook her head in disbelief. "This is bigger than I thought."

Elena swallowed hard, the weight of the situation settling over her once more. The gifts were not just generosity-they were a statement, a claim, and a warning.

She looked at Amy, determination flickering in her eyes. "Whatever this is, I won't let it break me."