Chapter 126:Alicia's Pov.The soft glow of the city lights seeped through the curtains as I sat in the corner of the room, the cold glass of wine in my hand untouched. The silence around me felt heavy, but my mind was loud, filled with thoughts of Olivia and Leonardo. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them. I saw their happiness. Their love. And it made me sick.Victor was on the phone, pacing across the room with a serious expression. I didn’t care who he was talking to. All I cared about was the next step. The next move that would shatter Olivia’s world even more.When Victor finally ended the call, he looked at me with a curious smile. “You haven’t said much tonight.”“I’m thinking,” I replied softly, swirling the wine in my glass.“Dangerous,” he teased, sitting across from me.“For them,” I shot back, smirking.Victor chuckled. “I assume you have a plan.”“Of course,” I whispered, leaning forward. “It’s time to hit them where it really hurts.”He raised an eyebrow. “And wher
Chapter 127:Leonardo's pov.The weight of the last few weeks pressed down on my shoulders like a burden I couldn’t shake.No matter how many men I hired, no matter how many calls I made, Alicia was still out there. Watching. Waiting. Taunting Olivia with every message, every appearance, every threat.I sat in my office, my fingers pressed against my temples, trying to push back the pounding headache that had become too familiar. My phone vibrated on the desk, pulling me from my thoughts. It was Harris.“Tell me you have something,” I answered sharply.“I’m close,” Harris replied, his voice steady. “But she’s careful.”“Not careful enough,” I muttered. “Find her.”“I will,” Harris promised.I ended the call, leaning back in my chair. My eyes drifted to the photo on my desk—Olivia smiling, her eyes full of life. A life that Alicia was trying to destroy. I clenched my jaw. I wouldn’t let that happen.Not again.I left the office and headed home. The drive felt longer than usual, the c
Leonardo's pov.The morning sun barely touched the horizon as I stood in my office, the weight of everything pressing down on me. The house was quiet, too quiet. Olivia was still asleep upstairs, but even in her sleep, I knew she wasn’t at peace. She hadn’t been for weeks. Not since Alicia came back.I leaned against the desk, my fists clenched at my sides. Alicia was always there, in the shadows, haunting us. I had promised Olivia that I would keep her safe. That I would end this. But with every day that passed, Alicia only seemed to get stronger.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Come in,” I called out.Marcus stepped inside, his expression serious. “We need to talk.”I nodded, gesturing for him to sit. “Did you find her?”“Not yet,” he admitted, frustration clear in his voice. “But we’re close.”“Not close enough,” I muttered.Marcus leaned forward, his voice low. “Leonardo, this isn’t just about revenge for her. It’s about you.”“I know,” I replied sharply. “
Chapter 129:Alicia's Pov.The city stretched out below me, a sea of lights and noise that never seemed to rest. I stood on the balcony of Victor’s penthouse, the cool night air brushing against my skin..A glass of wine dangled loosely from my fingers, but I wasn’t drinking. My mind was too busy. Too full.Leonardo thought he could find me. He thought he could end this.How naive.I smiled to myself, imagining the frustration that must be boiling inside him. The sleepless nights, the endless searches. He was close. I knew that. But close wasn’t enough.Victor stepped out onto the balcony, watching me with that curious expression he always wore when he was trying to figure me out.“You’re smiling,” he noted, lighting a cigarette. “Should I be worried?”I chuckled softly, turning to face him. “You worry too much.”He blew out a stream of smoke, his dark eyes narrowing. “Leonardo’s not going to stop, Alicia.”“Neither am I,” I replied smoothly.Victor tilted his head. “What’s your plan
Chapter 130:Alicia's Pov.The soft glow of the city lights filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the room. I stood silently, holding a glass of wine in one hand, my phone in the other. The message I had just sent to Olivia still lingered on the screen, the three little dots indicating she was typing a response.“Why are you doing this?”Her desperation was almost laughable. I chuckled softly, setting my glass down on the table. She still didn’t understand. It wasn’t about why. It was about because I can.Victor entered the room, his dark eyes immediately locking onto me. He smirked, already knowing what I was doing without asking.“She’s still begging?” he asked, settling into the chair across from me.“She thinks begging will change my mind,” I replied smoothly.He laughed softly. “And will it?”I raised an eyebrow, amused. “What do you think?”Victor leaned back, watching me with curiosity. “You enjoy this too much.”I tilted my head, pretendin
Olivia’s POVThe soft hum of the air conditioner filled the silence of my room as I sat on the bed, knees pulled to my chest. My eyes burned from the tears I had shed all night, and the dull ache in my chest felt unbearable. Alicia’s latest message echoed in my mind."Are you sure he’s only yours?"The photo attached to the text haunted me—the image of Leonardo with another woman, laughing, holding her close. She looked at him the way I did. Like he was her entire world.I knew it was an old photo. I knew it didn’t mean anything now. But Alicia didn’t need truth to hurt me. Doubt was enough. And it was working.A knock at the door startled me, and I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand.“Olivia?” Leonardo’s voice was soft, hesitant. “Can I come in?”I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell him to leave me alone. But I couldn’t. I needed him, even if my mind was clouded with doubt.“Yeah,” I whispered.The door opened slowly, and Leonardo stepped in, his dark eyes filled with c
Chapter 132:Olivia’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. But even the warmth of the sunlight couldn’t chase away the chill that had settled in my bones. My body felt heavy, my mind foggy from another restless night. The weight of Alicia’s presence in my life was suffocating me.I sat up slowly, my fingers gripping the edge of the blanket tightly. My phone was on the nightstand, and I stared at it with dread.Every morning, I woke up fearing another message from her. Another reminder that she was always watching.I reached for the phone, holding my breath as I unlocked it. Relief washed over me when I saw no new messages. But I knew it wouldn’t last. Alicia thrived on keeping me on edge, never knowing when she would strike again.A soft knock at the door made me jump, and Leonardo’s voice followed. “Olivia? Are you awake?”“Yes,” I called out, forcing my voice to sound steady.He opened the door gently, his dark eyes immediat
Victor’s POVI stood on the balcony of my penthouse, cigarette in hand. The smoke curled lazily in the air, disappearing into the night. The view never changed. Busy streets. Endless buildings. People moving like ants, unaware of the games being played above them.I took another drag, my mind racing. Alicia was inside, probably plotting her next move against Olivia and Leonardo. She always was. It amused me, watching her twist their lives into knots. But it also made me curious.Why did she care so much?I wasn’t a man who cared about love or revenge. Business was simple. Power was clear. But emotions? Emotions made people weak. Yet, Alicia thrived on them. She fed on them.“Victor,” her voice called softly from inside.I turned, leaning against the railing. She stood in the doorway, a glass of wine in her hand, her blonde hair falling in soft waves around her face. She looked calm, but I knew better. Behind that beautiful face was a storm waiting to be unleashed.“What is it, Alic
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