038 - Unsure

Maria's POV 

It was late at night, and the room was quiet. I had my back turned to Luca, eyes closed, pretending to sleep. I wasn’t really asleep, though. My mind wouldn’t let me.

Then I felt him move.

Luca slowly got out of bed. I didn’t turn around, but I heard the sound of him picking up his phone from the table. A few seconds later, the bathroom door closed quietly behind him.

I opened my eyes. Why does it seem like he's hiding something?

At first, I told myself not to worry. It was just a normal call. I shouldn’t be nosy. But when I started hearing his voice, low and serious through the door, I couldn’t stop myself.

I got out of bed, slowly and quietly, and walked over to the bathroom. I stood close to the door, not touching it, just listening.

"...don’t lie to me, Alejandro. Alexa’s body was never supposed to be found. You made sure it was."

Alejandro? My heart started beating faster.

Luca sounded angry. Really angry.

“I didn’t do that,” Alejandro replied. His voice was calm, but sharp. “I’d never set the police on you. If I ever wanted to take you down, I’d do it myself.”

There was silence for a moment.

Luca’s voice came again. “I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t have to,” Alejandro said. “But don’t come for me, Luca. If you do, I won’t let it slide. I already warned you.”

I leaned closer to the door, barely breathing.

“Let go of Alexa,” Alejandro said. “She was the problem. I did you a favor.”

Luca snapped, “You were always jealous of us. Of me and Alexa. Since we were kids, we chose each other, and you hated that.”

Alejandro didn’t deny it. “Yeah, I was jealous. You two had a bond I never did. But I didn’t let that jealousy turn into hate. I never thought to hurt either of you until you both tried to kill me.”

“I’m not angry anymore,” Alejandro continued. “Alexa was always selfish. Always thinking only of herself. But you’ve got Maria now. Remember she risked her own life for you. She begged for your life. Do you think Alexa would ever have done that?”

I didn’t hear Luca say anything right away. I waited.

Then he said, coldly, “I don’t care what you believe. Do what you want. But if you ever come after me again, I won’t be so forgiving.”

A second later, I heard the call end.

I rushed back to bed, careful not to make a sound. I lay down, turned away from Luca, and shut my eyes.

The tears came before I could even get a chance to stop them.

I didn’t sob or sniff. I just let them fall, silently. My heart felt heavy, and my chest ached. I didn’t want to cry. But I couldn’t help it.

A few moments later, I heard Luca come back. The bed dipped again as he lay down beside me.

He didn’t say anything.

Maybe he thought I was sleeping. Or maybe he didn’t know what to say. I kept my back to him and stayed quiet.

He didn’t touch me. Didn’t hold me. Just lay there.

Maybe he was thinking about what Alejandro said. Maybe he was thinking about Alexa. Or about what she did. I didn’t know.

But as I lay there, tears drying on my cheeks, I couldn’t stop thinking:

Would he ever love me the way he loved her? Or am I just someone he’s only using to forget?

I wanted to believe I was more than that.

But tonight, I wasn’t sure.