Chapter 73: The Final ChoiceOlivia's Point of ViewThe cool, sterile air of the penthouse felt more suffocating than ever. I stood in the center of the living room, my hands clasped tightly in front of me, as Leonardo sat on the couch, his eyes never leaving me. He hadn't said a word since I walked in, but the tension between us was palpable-like a physical weight pressing down on my chest.The hours since Marcus's last update had been agonizing. Every minute felt like an eternity, each tick of the clock dragging me deeper into uncertainty. I had hoped for clarity, for some sign that everything would be okay, but instead, I was drowning in doubt."Olivia," Leonardo finally spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "I know you're struggling with this, but I swear to you, it's all a lie. We'll prove it. You'll see."His words should have been comforting. They should have brought some sense of relief, but instead, they only made me feel more trapped. I wasn't sure anymore if it was his l
Leonardo's POVThe penthouse was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that wrapped around you and refused to let go. It had been hours since Olivia walked out, and the absence of her presence was suffocating. The empty wine glass she left on the counter, the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air-it all mocked me, taunting me with what I'd lost.I paced the living room, replaying our conversation in my mind. Every word she said cut deeper than I cared to admit. The pain in her voice, the tears in her eyes-I'd never forget them.She needed space. She needed time.But every instinct in me screamed that something was wrong.I pulled out my phone for the hundredth time, scrolling through my contacts until I landed on Marcus's name. I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the call button. He was the only one who might know where she'd gone, but reaching out to him felt like admitting I'd lost control.But wasn't that the truth?With a sharp exhale, I pressed the button and raised the
Leonardo's POVThe sterile hospital room felt suffocating. Olivia lay motionless, her face pale against the white sheets, a maze of tubes and wires surrounding her fragile body. The steady beep of the heart monitor was a rhythm I had come to dread, a reminder of the danger she was still in. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, and every time I stared at her, my heart ached with the weight of my own guilt.I hadn't left her side since we arrived at Mount Sinai, holding her hand, speaking to her, even though I knew she couldn't hear me. I whispered my apologies to her, asking for forgiveness for the things I should've said, the things I should've done. She was slipping further away from me, and the thought of losing her-of never being able to make things right-was too much to bear.I heard the door open behind me but didn't turn around. I already knew who it was.Marcus stepped into the room, his footsteps slow, his face drawn tight with exhaustion. He had been a steady pre
Olivia's POVThe hospital room was quiet except for the soft beeping of the heart monitor. Everything felt too bright, too sterile. My chest ached with every breath, and my limbs were too heavy to move. When I tried to focus, it was like looking through a fog.Leonardo was there, sitting close, holding my hand like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. His eyes were dark, lined with exhaustion, but they softened when I looked at him."You're awake," he said softly, leaning closer. His voice cracked, the relief in it so clear it made my chest ache even more. "Thank God."I tried to speak, but my throat was dry, and the words wouldn't come. He noticed, reaching for a small cup of water on the side table."Here," he said, holding the straw to my lips. "Drink slowly."The cool water soothed the rawness in my throat, though it did little to calm the storm brewing in my chest. As I drank, flashes of memory came back to me.The car. The headlights. The pain.And then the ache deep i
Leonardo's POVThe days after Olivia returned to the penthouse were a delicate balance of patience and pain.She moved through the rooms quietly, her presence felt but muted, like a ghost trying to find its place among the living. I could see the weight she carried in every step, every hesitant glance, every deep breath she took to hold herself together.I stayed close, always watching, always ready to help, but careful not to smother her. She needed space to heal, but I wasn't going to let her face this alone.One morning, as I brewed coffee in the kitchen, I heard her footsteps behind me. I turned to find her standing in the doorway, her hair tied back loosely and her face pale but determined."Good morning," I said softly, setting the mug on the counter.She nodded, her gaze falling to the steaming cup. "Good morning."There was an awkward silence between us, one that hadn't existed before. I hated it, but I didn't know how to fix it."Do you want coffee?" I asked, desperate to
Alicia's POVThe city skyline stretched endlessly beyond the windows of my penthouse, glittering in the night like a thousand promises I intended to break.I leaned back in my chair, the leather cool against my skin, swirling the wine in my glass as my mind worked through the intricate pieces of the game I was playing.Leonardo thought he'd won. He believed that Olivia's survival and their quiet return to the penthouse meant the storm had passed. But he had no idea that the storm was only beginning, and I controlled every gust of wind.A knock at the door broke my thoughts. "Come in," I called, my voice smooth.Marcus entered, his face a mask of calm. He moved with confidence, the kind that only came from knowing you were the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. Victor Navarro followed closely behind him, his ever-present smirk firmly in place."Good evening, gentlemen," I said, placing my glass down. "I trust you have updates for me?"Victor was the first to speak. "Leonardo
Victor's POVThe glass of whiskey in my hand was half-empty, its amber glow catching the faint light from my office. I swirled it slowly, leaning back in my chair as I replayed Alicia's latest orders in my mind. She was relentless, and I had to admit, that was why I had aligned myself with her in the first place.She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty.But even someone as calculating as Alicia had her blind spots, and that's where I came in. I'd spent my life in this world of lies and power plays. I knew when to strike, when to hold back, and when to let someone else believe they were in control.That was the trick. Let them believe they're running the show.Alicia thought she was running me, but the truth was, I'd been pulling strings long before she came into my orbit.The knock at the door came just as I expected."Come in," I called, my tone even.Marcus entered, his face impassive as always. He was good at hiding his emotions, but I knew him well enough to sense when somethi
Olivia's POVThe morning light streamed through the windows of the penthouse, bright and unforgiving. I sat at the dining table, staring at my untouched cup of tea. The steam curled lazily upward, but I didn't move. My mind was a maze of thoughts I couldn't seem to organize.Leonardo was in the kitchen, moving quietly as he prepared breakfast. He had been doing that every morning since I came back home-cooking for me, checking on me, staying close but not pushing too hard. He was trying, but I could feel the tension between us like a fragile thread ready to snap.The clink of plates brought me back to the present. He set a plate of eggs and toast in front of me before taking a seat across the table."Good morning," he said, his voice gentle."Morning," I replied, my tone flat.He didn't comment on my lack of enthusiasm. Instead, he gestured to the plate. "You should eat something.""I'm not hungry," I said, pushing the plate slightly away.Leonardo sighed, running a hand through hi
Chapter 159: Growing TogetherOlivia's POV"Mommy! Can I go play outside?" Lily's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.I turned to find her standing by the back door, already in her sneakers, her backpack slung over her shoulder as though she was ready for an adventure."Did you finish your chores first?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.Lily made a face but nodded. "Yes, Mommy. I made my bed, and I put away my books."I smiled. "Alright, go ahead. But make sure to stay close, okay?"She grinned and ran outside, her blonde hair streaming behind her. Ethan, who had been playing with his toy cars on the floor, looked up at me."Mommy, can I go outside too?"I knelt down to his level, brushing a stray curl from his face. "After breakfast, sweetie."He pouted but nodded, his little lips pulling into a tight line as he held up his toy truck.I went back to the kitchen, turning off the stove and preparing to set the table. Just as I placed the last plate down, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap
Chapter 158: A Life of LoveOlivia’s POVThe afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting soft golden hues over the yard. I stood by the kitchen sink, watching through the window as Leonardo played outside with our daughter. Their laughter echoed in the crisp air, blending with the rustling of leaves.She sat perched on his shoulders, her tiny hands gripping his hair as he ran in circles, pretending to be a horse.“Faster, Daddy!” she squealed.Leonardo groaned dramatically. “Princess, Daddy is getting old.”She giggled, tapping his head. “No, you’re not! You’re strong like a superhero!”I smiled, my heart swelling.This was our life now. Simple, filled with love.No more running. No more looking over our shoulders. Just us.I wiped my hands on a towel and made my way outside. The air was crisp, the scent of pine and fresh grass wrapping around me.Leonardo spotted me first. A slow grin spread across his lips. “Look who finally decided to join us.”Our daughter gasped. “Mommy,
Chapter 157: A Love That LastsOlivia’s POVThe sound of soft laughter echoed through the cabin as I stepped into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from my eyes. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow over the wooden floors. The air smelled of fresh coffee and something sweet—pancakes, maybe.I followed the scent, my heart warming at the sight before me.Leonardo stood at the stove, shirtless, wearing only loose pajama pants. His dark hair was still tousled from sleep, and the muscles in his back flexed as he flipped a pancake with effortless ease. But what made me smile the most was the little girl sitting on the counter beside him, her tiny hands clapping together as she watched her father cook."Again, Daddy!" she giggled.Leonardo grinned and spun the spatula between his fingers before tossing the pancake into the air. It flipped twice before landing perfectly back in the pan."Like that, princess?" he asked.She nodded enthusiastically, her brown cur
Chapter 156: EpilogueOlivia’s POVThe mountain air was crisp as I stood on the wooden balcony, gazing at the endless stretch of pine trees below. The sun had just dipped behind the peaks, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The wind whispered through the branches, carrying with it the clean scent of rain and earth.It was quiet here. Peaceful.Safe.For the first time in months, I could breathe without fear coiling around my throat. The Russo family was gone. Matteo Russo was dead. The house, the network, the legacy—destroyed. Harris had confirmed it with photos and reports. There was no one left to hunt us. No shadows lurking behind cameras. No footsteps echoing in the night.Leonardo stepped onto the balcony beside me, two mugs of coffee in hand. He handed me one, then wrapped his free arm around my waist, pulling me into his warmth."Thinking again?" he asked softly.I leaned against him, feeling his steady heartbeat through his sweater. "Always."He kissed the top
Final Chapter(155)Leonardo’s POVThe sharp sound of footsteps echoed through the stairwell as Olivia and I sprinted toward the exit. Smoke burned my throat, and every muscle in my body screamed for rest, but we couldn’t stop. Not now. Not with Matteo Russo closing in.We reached the ground floor and burst through the emergency exit into the alley. The cold night air hit me like a slap. I scanned the shadows for movement, gun raised. Olivia stood beside me, her eyes wide and wild.The phone in my pocket buzzed again.Another message.“You can’t run forever.”I gritted my teeth and shoved the phone back into my jacket. "He’s playing with us," I muttered.Olivia’s voice shook. "He’s just a kid, Leonardo.""No," I said, scanning the rooftops. "He stopped being a kid the moment Victor put a gun in his hand."She hugged herself, shivering. I placed a hand on her arm, grounding her. "We end this tonight.""How?" she asked.I didn’t have an answer.The phone buzzed again.I hesitated, then
Chapter 154Olivia’s POVThe smell of smoke lingered in the air as I stood beside Leonardo, staring at the burning ruins of the Russo compound. The flames crackled, devouring the walls, the floors—everything Matteo Russo had built to continue his father’s legacy.But the weight in my chest wouldn’t lift. The fire might’ve destroyed the compound, but the memories remained. The sight of Matteo’s small body hitting the floor haunted me. His lifeless eyes. The blood spreading across his shirt.He’d been just a boy. A boy raised to hate, to kill, to continue the twisted family tradition. And Leonardo had been forced to pull the trigger."Olivia," Leonardo said softly, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.I blinked, realizing I’d been clutching my arms so tightly that my nails had dug into my skin. I loosened my grip. "Yeah?""We need to go. The police will be here soon."I gave a shaky nod.Leonardo took my hand, guiding me toward the car parked beyond the tree line. The headlights wer
Chapter 153:Leonardo’s POVThe photograph of the baby lay on the table, the words "Blood runs deep" scrawled across the back in thick red ink. Olivia sat beside me, her eyes locked on the image as though it might come to life. My own thoughts churned like a storm, each one darker than the last.Victor Russo had a son. An heir. A child born into a legacy of violence and manipulation."We didn’t know," Olivia whispered, voice trembling. "We thought we ended the family."I ran a hand down my face, exhaustion pressing against my skull. "Victor always had contingency plans. We underestimated him.""But how?" she asked. "We dug into every aspect of his life. There was nothing about a kid.""Because he wanted it that way." I stood and paced the length of the living room. "Victor was always obsessed with bloodlines. Family. Legacy. Of course, he’d hide a child until he was ready to use him."Olivia rubbed her arms. "He looked so...calm. That boy at the door. Like he wasn’t scared at all.""
Chapter 152: LEONARDO!Leonardo's pov.The timer stopped at 00:59.Olivia dropped the knife and collapsed against me, sobbing. I held her tightly.Harris groaned. "Did...we win?"I glanced at Victor’s body. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling."Yeah," I said. "We won."Harris’s team arrived within minutes. They removed the bomb and secured the mansion. Harris, bruised but breathing, sat on the porch while medics checked his vitals.Olivia and I stood nearby, watching the sunrise paint the sky in soft oranges and pinks."It’s really over," she whispered.I wrapped my arm around her. "This time, it is."She leaned into me. "No more running?""No more running," I promised.The Russo family was gone.And we were finally free.Olivia’s POVThe morning sunlight crept across the horizon, casting a soft orange glow over the Gael estate. The warmth should have brought comfort, a sense of peace after the nightmare we’d survived. But as I stood on the porch beside Leonardo, the weight of what
Chapter 151:Leonardo’s POVThe headlights sliced through the dark as I sped away from the cemetery, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. Olivia sat beside me, silent, her body rigid with fear. The message on my phone echoed in my mind:“The devil doesn’t die.”Victor Russo was alive. Or someone who looked and sounded exactly like him.I didn’t believe in ghosts. But I knew the Russos were capable of almost anything. Victor had faked his death once already. Why not twice?"Leonardo," Olivia said softly.I glanced at her, her face pale in the dim light. "Yeah?""How...how is this possible?" Her voice cracked. "We saw his body. We saw the coroner’s report."I didn’t have an answer. I’d held Victor’s cold wrist to check for a pulse that day. I’d seen the bullet hole in his forehead. But tonight...I’d seen him standing beneath the trees, breathing, smiling."We’re missing something," I said finally. "Something big."She hugged herself. "What if it really was him?"I gritted my t