“It’s not necessary,”‘Luca said with a wave of hand.“What do you mean?” Andrea asked as Luca sighed. “Go ahead then, do what you want. Chase her out.” Luca said.Andrea gave him a resigned look. “You’re talking as if I’m the one that wants her out badly, Luca. What’s with the hesitant now?” Andrea gave him a questioning look as Luca pressed his lips. “You know what, let’s do this. I want her out of my life as soon as possible.” Luca said and walked away back to the living room.When they walked back to the living room, they met Elena sitting down, looking like a guilty person awaiting trial.“I’ll leave after the child’s born if that’s what Luca wants….” Elena said before Andrew could start talking. Andrea turned to look at Luca who had this unreadable expression. While Luca had his eyes on Elena like he could strangle her for making such a statement.“Fine…”Luca said. “But I have my conditions for the short while you will be staying here…” Elena batted her eyelid, trying to battle
"Ugh?" Luca sat up, attempting to decipher the meaning behind his words."Uhmmm... I mean, as a friend," Rio quickly interjected, pressing his lips together tightly while clutching the phone firmly."Ah... that," Luca began. "I know I can rely on you. But I'll be fine, I suppose. We've agreed to live as strangers, without any restrictions on each other. We're free to see other people if we want," Luca explained. Another silence followed before Rio spoke up. "That's cool," he said.For some reason, the conversation felt too formal, unlike their usual interactions."Goodbye, Rio. It was nice of you to call. I appreciate having someone to talk to. I feel better now... or at least, I think I do," he said, though deep down he knew he was lying. "For now, I guess.""Great," Rio replied. "Goodnight, Luca," he added."Yeah, goodnight, man," Luca responded, ending the call and falling back onto the bed with a sigh of relief."What was that conversation about?" he muttered to himself, contempla
"Yeah, why?" Luca glanced back and forth between Elena and his father, who wore an inscrutable expression. Before Elena could respond, the door swung open, revealing the center of their discussion. Rio stood there, unusually dashing in a red tuxedo. "Am I late?" he asked eagerly, met by three sets of eyes with varying expressions. "No, I don't think so," Luca replied, smiling. "Come on, let's go," he motioned, heading towards the door. But Elena spoke up. "I'm not going anymore," she declared, capturing everyone's attention."Why?" Andrea inquired."I'm not feeling well. I think it's best for me to rest instead. Besides, there's no point in me being there. No one would even notice if I'm absent," Elena explained, turning to leave. However, Luca managed to catch her arm before she could escape. "What do you mean?" he asked, concerned."You heard me. Now, please let me go," Elena responded, slipping her arm out of his grasp. All she yearned for was the solace of her bed, to be alone. Ev
As father and son strolled down the hospital corridor, Luca couldn't help but question his decision. The weight of the consequences he would face alone in the future loomed over him. Breaking the silence, Andrea placed a hand on Luca's shoulder and offered some reassurance, "I'm not supposed to comment on this, but you made the most rational decision, son." Uncertain, Luca turned to face his father and asked, "You think so?" He didn't feel good about it regardless.Andrea's words continued, "If you had chosen the child, you would blame yourself for her death for the rest of your life. Besides, she's the only woman you have ever loved. You would be a wreck if you didn't want her to live." Luca sighed, lacking the strength to argue against that fact."And if you had chosen the child, Elena would be hurt... and I'm guessing you don't want that," Andrea added."I don't care about her. I haven't forgotten her betrayal," Luca frowned, folding his hands. Andrea smiled knowingly. "Of course y
Elena paused for a while as she thought of what Licia had just said. “Elena? Elena?” Lucia called repeatedly.“Yeah. I’m with you,” she replied with a cálmele voice.“Did you zone out? Were you thinking about what I said? It might be nothing…Don’t stress yourself over it.” Lucia quickly reassured. “I’m not.” Elena lied as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’ll call you back later…” She said when Luca came out of the dressing room fully clothed in his nightwear. Elena tried to hide her worried look, but Luca caught a hint that all wasn’t well. One thing is also surprising all the same. Luca had become more attentive. “Hey…” he said as he approached her. He squatted beside her as he watched her calmly. “You okay?” He watched her intently.“Yeah…I’m good.”Elena feigned a smile. “I just need to rest I guess…” Elena said as Luca watched her for a while before nodding.“Alright.” He nodded and stood up. Elena smiled and lay on her side on the bed, her thoughts were still in turmoil. Luc
He didn’t pick up on the first call but on the second trial, Luca’s cool voice greeted him. “Hey, Rio. What’s up man?” Luca said his eyes glued on his system in his office.“Good. You?” Rio asked, as he thought carefully before saying anything.“Not too good…” Luca sighed as he rested back on the chair as he tried to comprehend what was displayed on the screen of his system.“I lied about Elena’s condition the other day you called. She was around me when you called. So I lied,” Luca said.“Ugh? Lied about what?” Rio asked, his interest piqued immediately. Luca sighed. “She has some complications with her pregnancy. And its not looking good, Rio. If I am not careful, I would lose both….” “What do mean?”“The doctor said we can’t have both mother and child. I will have to sacrifice one….” He drew a deep breath before he continued.“And I chose …”“Elena,” Rio interrupted.“Why do you think so?” A moment of silence passed before he asked.“Just a guess. You still haven’t gotten over ye
Rio watched Luca and the woman opposite him who turned out to be Elena. They were saying something and laughing at it.“That bastard.” He seethed and he formed a fist.As he made to stand up to confront him, Elena stood up and walked away. No. He thought. He would confront someone else, he thought, and followed after Elena. Before she got to the restroom, he intersected her by the way.“Enjoying your date?” He asked sarcastically as Elena's brow furrowed in a frown.“Rio?”Rio drew a deep breath. “Your husband…oh your pretend husband promised to have dinner with me tonight, but there is he is, with you…pretending to enjoy a bloody dinner he would rather not have,”“Excuse me?” Elena said irritatedly.“Oh…” Rio formed a surprised look. “You don’t know, do you?”“Know what?” Elena asked, her anger rising.“Pst pst….”Rio made the sound with his mouth. “He should have told you at least. You are the mother of the child.” He said.“What is it, Rio?” Elena's eyes shone, desperation creeping
“Taking her permanently away from Luca’s life….you would play an important role if it’s okay with you Rio…” Levante said.“What is it?” He asked, his voice going to something close to grim but he tried to hide it.“Listen to me carefully.” Levante said as he explained to a reluctant Rio of his role.********It has been exactly one week since Elena had been living with Lucia and it had proved to be the best decision she made. Apart from the nights she had cried herself to bed while thinking how she had been swooned for the past few days by Luca’s kind gesture, which was just a feigned attempt to help her give birth to their child safely. The truth always twinge her in the heart anytime she thought of it. Everything had been fake. All fake. Although he had been on her toe these past few days, calling and sending tons of message but it took lots of willpower to ignore them all because she couldn’t ignore the fact that she missed him. She wanted badly to hear him out, hear him say what sh