Chapter 3 One Night, One Lie, Goodbye

~~ DARK DOMAIN – 2:00 PM ~~

Trucks moved in and out of the compound, their engines growling as crates were unloaded with practiced efficiency. A group of armed figures coordinated the operations, directing the flow like a well-oiled machine.

"How's it going?" asked Sage, the group's renowned sharpshooter. He strolled up with his hands buried in his pockets, his hair tied up in a tight bun, glistening with sweat.

"We're wrapping up," said Fire, motioning toward the final crate. "Everything should be in place before the boss arrives."

Kendrox approached them, scanning the scene with sharp eyes.

"We don't have time to be standing around," he said firmly. "Let's move."

An arm suddenly hooked around his shoulder.

"All work and no play makes Drox an idiot," said Seige, Sage's twin, with a mischievous grin. Kendrox smacked her gently on the head.

"Get to work, brat. Where's Thayla?"

A single gunshot cracked through the air behind them.

"You missed me," came a familiar voice.

Thayla, the group's notorious wildcard, approached with a smirk, twirling her pistol. Sage rolled his eyes.

"Didn't even realize you were gone."

She scowled. "Don't tempt me."

"Now that we're all here-what's the deal?" Seige asked, and Kendrox turned to Fire.

"Where is she?"

Everyone fell silent. They knew exactly who he meant. Only Fire answered.

"She's on her way. I texted her."

Kendrox sighed. "She better be here before three. The boss wants everyone in the Red Room by four."

He looked at Sage and Fire. "You two are handling the delivery. In and out. Be back before four."

They both nodded.

Thayla nudged Seige. "Looks like we're not needed. Training?"

"Let's go."

"Red Room, four!" Kendrox shouted after them.

They didn't respond.

---

~~ OAKDALE UNIVERSITY – 5:00 PM ~~

Despite not attending her dream school, Mariana had been enrolled in one of Palermo's best universities-Oakdale, ranked fourth in the country. Meekha had made sure of that.

Now, Mariana descended the main staircase of the university, but she moved like a ghost, her steps slow and heavy.

Tears stung her cheeks as her father's diagnosis replayed in her head.

> "He's too weak to remain in that facility. If this continues, you might lose him sooner than expected."

Her chest tightened.

> "Hasn't he suffered enough?" she thought bitterly. "He was framed... and now this? Death hovering over him like a vulture."

A gentle touch on her shoulder snapped her back to reality. She wiped her face quickly before turning.

"Hi, Jenny. Caspian," she said, forcing a smile.

"Hey, witch," Caspian teased. She playfully punched his arm.

"You okay?" Jenny asked, concerned. "You look... off."

"Something got in my eyes," Mariana lied, smiling weakly.

Caspian narrowed his eyes. "Did he do something to you?"

Jenny groaned. Caspian had never liked Leonardo. Said he gave off "hidden agenda" vibes.

"Not again," she muttered.

"I'm just saying-"

"I love you both," Mariana interrupted, hugging them tightly.

Caspian blinked. "Are you dying?"

They laughed.

"Stop being weird," Jenny said. A car horn honked behind them.

"Here comes lover boy," she added.

Leonardo approached with a smile. Caspian rolled his eyes.

"Hi guys. Hey, babe." Leo kissed Mariana's forehead. Caspian grimaced.

Jenny elbowed him.

"What?"

"We'll just head out," she said quickly, dragging Caspian away.

Leonardo frowned. "Your friends still don't like me."

"They're just... them," Mariana said with a soft smile. "Come on, let's go home. I missed you."

---

~~ OUTSIDE ~~

"What's your problem, Caspian?" Jenny asked as they reached his car.

"I don't trust him. He gives off a vibe I hate."

Jenny raised a brow. "Jealous because he's hotter?"

Caspian scoffed. "Please. Do you know how many girls would kill to be in your shoes?"

Jenny rolled her eyes. Then Caspian's phone beeped-and his entire demeanor changed.

She noticed.

"You're not dropping me off, are you?"

"I'm sorry. Something urgent came up. I'll make it up to you."

Jenny's temper flared. "Every time your phone beeps, you disappear. You don't get to call Leo suspicious when you keep secrets too. I thought we were friends."

She stormed off into a taxi before he could respond. Caspian watched her leave, guilt heavy in his chest. Then his phone beeped again. He drove off without hesitation.

---

~~ LEONARDO'S RESIDENCE – NIGHT ~~

Mariana sat on a stool, watching Leo prepare dinner. He smiled at her and she returned it-half-heartedly.

Then her phone beeped.

> THE CLOCK IS TICKING, DARLING. ONE DAY LEFT. CHOOSE: YOUR FATHER'S FREEDOM... OR MEEKHA'S HAPPY LIFE.

Her heart dropped.

Leo turned. "Dinner's ready."

"Thanks. Want to drink something?"

He raised a brow. "You don't even like alcohol."

"Just a little. Please?"

He kissed her forehead. "You can talk to me, love."

She kissed him back. "Just want to relax. That's all."

Leo returned with a bottle of red wine. "Don't get drunk. Meekha would kill me."

She downed a glass immediately.

"Whoa," he said, pouring himself one.

The meal was beautiful-and it tasted divine.

"This is amazing," she said, voice soft.

"You deserve the best."

She poured another glass, gulped it, and stood. Then she walked over, straddled his lap, and whispered, "I'm sleeping over."

"Been a while," he said, smiling.

She cupped his face. "I love you, Leo. So fucking much."

"You're drunk."

"I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I love you."

Their lips met. Passion ignited. She tugged at his shirt; he resisted-then gave in. Their kisses deepened, tongues tangled, breath hitching. He kissed her neck, leaving a mark as his hands moved to her zipper. But suddenly, he pulled back.

"If I don't stop now, I won't be able to later."

"Don't stop," she whispered, climbing back onto him. "I'm ready."

He stared at her. Then smiled.

"Don't beg me to stop."

He carried her to the table, sweeping the dishes aside. He kissed her again-hungry, rough, desperate. Their moans echoed as he carried her to the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

Only soft groans remained.

---

~~ NEXT DAY – 9:00 AM ~~

Leonardo opened his eyes slowly-only to find the bed empty.

"Anna?" he called, checking the apartment. Nothing.

He reached for his phone. A message lit up his screen.

From Anna.

He smiled.

Then he read it.

> By the time you read this, I'll be walking down the aisle with another man. I'm sorry it ended this way, Leo. But I think it's best we end this now. Hate me if you must-but I'm not sorry. This is who I am.

His phone shook in his hand.

Tears welled in his eyes.

"No. No, this... this has to be a joke."

He dialed her number. Disconnected.

Panicked, he called Meekha.

"Is Anna home yet?" he blurted.

"She was with you, Leo! She left me a weird message about getting married-what the hell is going on?"

"I-I'll find her. I'm sorry."

He hung up and dialed again. This time, she picked up.

"Oh my God, Anna! What's happening? Where are you? What marriage?"

"It's not a joke, Leo. You'll get over it. I just called to say goodbye. Let's never meet again."

"Stop this, Anna! Are you still drunk?! You left my bed this morning-you said you'd marry me!"

She laughed bitterly.

"Yeah. I gave you my first time. Think of it as a goodbye gift."

"ANNA!"

"Goodbye, Leonardo."

Click.

Silence.

"Anna... Anna!"

He screamed, hurling his phone against the wall as hot tears streamed down his face. His chest felt like it was caving in, every breath a battle.

She was gone.

And she'd shattered him completely.