Andrea observed as Lucia paced back and forth in front of the room where Elena was admitted. "If you keep pacing like that, I might just faint too," he remarked sarcastically. Lucia halted abruptly and shot him an accusing look."What did you say to her? Maybe I should remind you that you are the reason Elena is in there," she snapped."Seriously? Whose side are you on? Luca is in the bloody ICU, and her brother is to blame...""There's no solid evidence," Lucia interrupted, causing Andrea to sigh. "I can't believe you," he shook his head, just as the door swung open suddenly. The doctor emerged from the room with a smile on his face."How is she, doctor?" Lucia inquired as soon as he stepped out."It's good news. Elena is two weeks pregnant. It's unfortunate that her husband is in critical condition. Let's hope he wakes up to receive this good news," the doctor patted her shoulder and walked away."Oh my God," Lucia gasped, turning to Andrea. "She's going to have a baby, Andrea.""Th
Elena swallowed as she watched Andrea intently. “You’ll have to leave, Elena. Go far away from Luca. I don’t want him hurt again.”“What?” Elena asked, her voice barely a whisper.“Considering the fact that you are with child, you’ll stay till the child is born. And leave afterwards. Without the child.”“No…I can’t do that.” Elena said immediately.“Really?” Andrea raised his brow, trying to hold back his surging anger.“Aren’t I lenient enough, compared to what your brother did to my son,” “There is no proof yet…” Elena defended.“Don’t kid yourself, Elena. Don’t bother. Either you do what I ask or I go in there and tell Luca about your deception.” Andrea watched her careful as Elena sighed.“Look Elena, we both have one thing in common. Seeing Luca happy. You might love my son more than life itself. But I don’t trust your brother.” He said and moved close to her ear and whispered. “This is also the price you have to pay for crossing me.” He said as Elena shuddered.“And my father?”
Rio's voice trembled as he attempted to regain composure. "I won't ask again," he said. "Who are you?""I am your nemesis, Rio," replied Rex from the other end of the phone."What?" Rio muttered."I know you played a role in Luca's accident. Maybe you didn't pull the trigger, but you're the one who set it in motion. I must commend you for that. Well played, my friend," Rex's voice boomed, causing Rio to clench his fist."What do you want?" Rio managed to say."What do I want?" Rex responded mockingly. "No, my friend, you don't have the authority to ask that question. I give the orders, and you obey.""I will find you, and when I do...""Save your breath," Rex interrupted with a hiss. "Because things are about to become very unsettling for you. You're not my primary target, so you'll merely be my pawn. In a way, you're safe.""What?" Rio exclaimed."I've been sending those threatening messages to Marco, pressuring him to confess. Blah blah. But Marco isn't my target. I want you to go to
"What do you mean, Vic?" Rex asked, his expression more serious than ever."Remember when Romano's Pharmaceuticals was supposedly dissolved in the past? Well, it turns out it wasn't really dissolved. Does RM Pharmaceutical ring a bell?" Victoria questioned.Rex rubbed his chin, pondering her words. "It's the fastest-rising pharmaceutical company in the country. Of course, I'm aware of it.""Exactly. Through my investigations, I've discovered that Rio's father is the one running it," Victoria revealed, causing Rex to raise an incredulous eyebrow. He chuckled and waved her off."Rio's father is in jail. The poor man was sacrificed instead of the bloody Romanos," Rex retorted."Yes, he is. But he possesses far more power than you can imagine, even more than the Romanos. I have a suspicion that Romanos Pharmaceutical was actually run by Rio's father," Victoria stated."How is that possible? Just look at the name," Rex argued."I know, I know," Victoria hissed. "It's just a hunch for now,
Rio ended the call without responding. Leaning against the hospital hallway wall, he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. Lost in his thoughts, he began to walk away, unaware that Andrea was observing and eavesdropping on him. Andrea casually slipped his hands into his pockets and calmly spoke into the phone, "I need you to do something for me," before ending the call.*******Elena sat alone at the bar, her gaze fixed on the drink that had been sitting in front of her for the past hour. She sighed once again, feeling a mix of desperation and uncertainty. Coming here had been a reckless decision, and actually drinking that beverage would only amplify her recklessness. But she felt an overwhelming need for it.Just as she was about to reach for the bottle, a hand intervened, preventing her from doing so. She looked up to see a stranger standing before her, bearing an uncanny resemblance to her father. His eyes, his hair—it all echoed familiarity.Confusion furrowed her brow. "Who a
Elena's heart ached as she stood at a crucial crossroad, feeling the weight of an impossible decision. Gazing into her brother's caring and worried eyes, she realized the bittersweet truth of their reunion. Though she had believed him to be dead, their circumstances forbade them from being together. Caught between spending a few fleeting months with Luca or losing her brother forever, Elena couldn't bear the burden."Elena?" Rex called out, sensing her inner turmoil. Another sigh escaped her lips as she mustered the strength to respond. "I can't go through with this, Damon," she confessed, her emotions overwhelming her. Hastily, she made her way towards the door, leaving behind a perplexed Victoria and Rex. "We've lost her too," Victoria remarked quietly.But Rex's determination flared within him. Frustration mounting, he pressed his hand against the couch, brimming with resolve. Victoria turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "Let's go, Rex," she urged, understanding the gravity
"Elena. Elena." Luca's voice called out, jolting Elena out of her reverie. She turned abruptly, her gaze meeting Luca's careful eyes. "Are you okay? Who was that?" he asked, his intense gaze locked onto hers."Huh?" Elena tried to compose herself, quickly reaching down to pick up her phone."I'll be right back," she said, attempting to leave, but Luca caught her before she could go. "What's wrong? I won't let you move until you tell me what's going on," Luca said firmly. Elena sighed. She wasn't ready to tell him that Ryan had been poisoned in jail. It would lead to a cascade of questions that could result in disaster.Placing her hands on his, she looked at him intently. "It's something related to Lucia, a personal issue. I'll be back before you know it, okay?" she reassured him and walked away before waiting for a response.Elena quickened her pace as she exited the hospital building and immediately hailed a cab. Arriving at the station, she rushed to the reception area where she fo
Carlos entered the dimly lit underground bar, where the energy was high and people swayed to the pulsating beats of the DJ. He let out a sigh and headed straight for a stool at the counter. "I'll have a shot of whiskey, please," he requested, catching the bartender's attention. With a nod, the bartender served him the drink."Thanks," Carlos acknowledged, taking the shot. The burning liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't extinguish the fire of anger inside him. As the music continued to fill the air, his mind wandered to Elena. The pain of not having her consumed him, repeatedly striking his heart. "Another shot," he called out to the bartender.As Carlos downed the second shot and gazed at the crowd, he noticed someone familiar at the other end of the bar. He stood on the railing, observing Carlos intently. "Damn it, Rio!" Carlos exclaimed, attempting to leave the bar. As soon as he stepped outside, he came face to face with Rio."Hi," Carlos greeted Rio, his eyes fixed on him
“Rio,” Rossi said. “There’s a commotion in the hospital he was admitted in. He is on the rooftop with Elena. Luca should have received a call by now. He keeps asking for him.” Rex turned to look at Luca who stared anxiously at him. “I’m with Luca right now. We’ll head there right away.” Rex said and hung up.“What…”“Your crazy Boyfriend has her.” Rex seethed.“What?”“There’s no time. Let’s leave.” Rex said as he walked out of the house, trailed after by Luca.As they entered Rex’s car, Luca was still oblivious to what was happening.“Aren’t you wrong? Rio is in a psychiatric hospital.”“And he has my sister. He is threatening to kill her.”“What?” Luca's eyes shone in surprise. How is that….”“I don’t fucking know!” Rex snapped as he faced the road and hit the accelerator. Luca stared at him and looked at the road ahead. What the fuck is happening?When they got to the hospital, there was greeted by the crowd in front of the hospital as Rio stood at the edge of the rooftop, with a
Rex paced around the living room frantically. It was late in the night and there was no sign of Elena. He has been trying to reach her since they left King’s Hotel. After the argument with Rossi, it was as of Elena had disappeared into thin air. She wasn’t even in the motel she has been hiding all this while. He dialed his father….they had both exchanged contacts earlier, both promising to give each other updates on how things would proceed.“I can’t seem to find her,” Rex said immediately after he heard the beep.Rex could hear him sigh from the receiver’s side. “Where she’s staying?”“Not there. And she isn’t picking up my calls. The call doesn’t seem to go through no matter how many times I try.” Rex said in frustration. “Does Levante have her?”“I will ask my people to track her. She’ll be fine, Rex.” Rossi said.Rex hung up but the gut feeling that his sister was in danger was overwhelming. He couldn’t just sit and wait without doing anything. What if Elena was in danger? A tho
Luca moved instinctively towards her and drew her into his embrace. Elena's lips curved into a smile as she snuggled close to him. “What happened with Rio wasn’t your fault.” She said.“I know. I know. But I can’t seem to stop blaming myself.” He murmured in her hair. Elena rubbed his back like a child that needs consoling.“Let’s get married. And leave this place.” Luca said as Elena’s body stilled in his arms. She didn’t expect things to be going this way.She freed herself from him and looked at him. “Really?”Luca smiled at her. “And it’s not because of the child. I haven’t felt attracted to anyone the way I am to you since Angelo’s mother died. I’ve only loved her.” He said as Elena forced a smile. She hated the fact that she couldn’t tell him the truth yet. It wasn’t the time. When everything’s settled, they would have the whole time in the world. She promised herself.“For now…” Luca stared lovingly at her as he removed the strand of hair that was covering her face. “Let’s help
“What development?” Elena asked.“Someone with the same goal as us contacted me.”“What?” Elena raised a brow. “What do you mean?”“I don’t know. He wants to stay anonymous till the day we meet.” Rex said, frustration evident in his voice.“Does that make sense? Do you want to meet up with some stranger? Because of what?” Elena asked with a sarcastic look.“I don’t care. I lost Victoria. I don’t want to lose you too. As far as I know, Levante thinks you’re dead. We need to strike now. When they least expect.” Rex said with determination.“Do what you want.” Elena stood up and picked up her cell phone on the bed. “I’m going to meet the father of my unborn child.” “What? By this time? Why are so stubborn? What if Levante sees you?”“I don’t care. I might as well tell Luca the truth about them. He would stop caring about that Rio.” Elena hissed and headed for the door.The evening breeze was gentle but Elena couldn’t help but feel chilly as she stood by the roadside, looking for a cab t
“I fucked Martino.” She said dryly as Rex's eyes flickered at her for a while and averted his gaze quickly as if trying to hide something. “I fucked him,” Victoria replied as Rex shifted his gaze to her face again. “Okay.” He shrugged. “It’s all for the plan, right.” He asked, desperation hidden in his voice.Victoria cupped her face in frustration. “I love him, Rex.” Rex's hands stiffened in his pocket. He parted his lips but nothing came out. “Say something, damn it!” She fired as Rex chuckled.“Say what?” He asked, trying to fight the emotion that was burning within him.“Curse me. Call me a filthy bitch. I can take it all. But I do love him, Rex.”“And us?” Rex asked as if that has been the question in his mind.Victoria closed her eyes for a while and opened it. “I don’t know.” She shook her head as Rex’s heart sank.“I don’t know, man. I need space.” She said as tears streamed from her eye. As she turned to leave, Rex caught her arm again.“Our plans?”“Are you kidding me ri
Martino sat down in the visiting room while Levante paced around in front of him. He didn’t dare to talk. After he received his call at the hospital earlier. His urgent tone signaled to Martino that Levante was, even more, crazier than his son. “PTSD ugh?” He stopped moving as he regarded Martino. Martino paused, nothing ever gets past this man. More reason why he should be more cautious.“The doctor hasn’t made any diagnosis yet. He’s still under observation.” Martino replied, careful with his words in order not to infuriate him any further.Levante nodded. “Will he be admitted to some psychiatrist hospital?”“Like I said…”“I bloody heard you the first time, Martino!” Levante fired as Martino bowed his head. That’s more like it. This was his true character. Not the unusually quiet type that was unpredictable.“I’m sorry boss.”“Did the doctor say what caused his trauma?”“I…”“I could get that information in a matter of seconds. Think before you lie.” Levante hissed.Then why did y
“What?” Luca asked, surprised. “This is crazy, Rio.” He added quickly when he noticed his surprised look wasn’t helping matters.“Yeah! I’m crazy about you, Luca!” Rio sobbed as Luca pressed his lips in exasperation.“Those times in the past…” he started slowly and his grip on the injection was less. “I would always watch your back. Dad said it was my duty. It was our duty to watch out for the Romanos.” He scoffed with a bitter smile as Luca watched him. He hated seeing him like this. He couldn’t do anything and it added to his frustration. “I misunderstood man.” He added.“You were the best thing that happened to me,” Luca said.“Were?” Rio raised a brow.“Rio…”“Those times when you would always stay alone. Angry you couldn’t approach other girls, I wished you would just look at me. Even for once.” Rio said.“I didn’t….” Luca brushed his hand through his hair. “I didn’t know, Rio.”“Well, Now you know!” He snapped.“Yes. I do. And I appreciate you….your love.”“No, you don’t,” Rio s
“Victoria….I…” Martino started to say but the words got hung up in the air.“Martino?” Victoria called when he didn’t say anything afterward.“Anything I do in the future, just know I love you. I love you so much, Victoria.” Martino said and hung up. He swung around and marched back to the cottage. He narrowed his eyes at Elena. “I’m not going to kill you. A certain person is betting on me. So I wouldn’t want to break her trust.” Elena watched him. Was it Victoria?“Then what?” She asked with a frown.“Let’s make a deal….” “Deal?”“You already know by now that Rio wants you dead. And I can’t seem to understand why you said he tried to kill you in the past…” Martino gave her a wary look. But Elena didn’t reply. There was no use hiding it. Or was there? He is going to spare her. She should keep her mouth shut till the end.“Your deal…” she said.“Stay away from Luca. Go far away from him. Out of the country….I don’t care. Because if I see you anywhere around him, I’ll be the first to
“How are you feeling, Rio.” Levante ignored his initial statement.“It’s not your concern. You’ve always wanted to do my bidding right? Then take her out? I don’t want to see her ever again!” A silence ensued for a while then Levante spoke up. “Did she try to hurt you?”“Is that more important to you?”“Answer the damn question, boy. I pay my enemies back in full.” Levante spoke harshly as Rio sighed.“Not directly.”“What do you mean?”“Luca slept with her.” He said and paused but his father didn’t say a word. “I got overwhelmed with the thought and crashed on a poll.”“I can’t believe this,” Levante muttered under his breath.“Well?” Rio asked.“Focus on recovering. I’ll take care of the rest.” Levante said and hung up.“That isn’t a bloody answer,” Rio muttered as he put down the phone. He lay there in silence as he took time to eventually review his decision. He had called his dad on impulse. He was angry. Especially after that talk with Luca. His rage knew no bounds. He just cou