I sat in the living room, the guilt of it all pressing down on me. Olivia sat across from me, her eyes locked on mine. She didnât have to say anything. I knew she was thinking the same thing. âWe need to find him,â she said softly, breaking the silence. I nodded. âWe will.â Marcus walked in, stretching his arms. âAny news?â âNot yet,â I replied. âDanielâs still searching.â Harris joined us, sitting on the edge of the couch. âWhoever this guy is, heâs careful. He knew weâd be at that meeting, and he planned for it.â Olivia exhaled sharply. âAnd now, heâs planning his next move.â I clenched my jaw. âThen we need to move faster.â As if on cue, Danielâs voice called out from the other room. âGot something!â We rushed to the small office where Daniel was seated, his fingers flying over the keyboard. The screen showed a series of encrypted messages, but one stood out. âI traced the phone number from the message you got,â Daniel explained. âIt was bouncing off multiple towers, but I
Chapter 118: Back To The World.Alicia's Pov.The cold metal bars were the first thing I saw every morning. The sound of keys jingling and guards yelling was my daily alarm. Prison wasnât meant for someone like me. Alicia Hayes. Daughter of one of the most powerful businessmen in the country. I wasnât supposed to be here, surrounded by criminals who didnât even know the meaning of real power.But here I was.I sat on the thin mattress of my bunk, staring at the dull gray wall in front of me. My perfectly manicured nails were chipped now, and my blonde hair, once always styled to perfection, was tied back in a messy ponytail. This place drained everything out of you.Still, I wasnât broken.I wouldnât let them break me. Not Leonardo. Not Olivia. Not even my father, who had promised to get me out but had left me rotting in this hellhole.I gritted my teeth at the thought of him. He had the resources, the connections, and yet... nothing. Weeks had passed, and I was still here. Forgott
Chapter 119: Soon Came true.Alicia's Pov.The days dragged on, but I wasnât counting them anymore. My mind was focused on one thingâfreedom. I knew it was coming. I could feel it. Victor wasnât someone who made promises he couldnât keep. And when he said he would get me out, I believed him.Every morning, I woke up expecting it to be the day. And every night, I went to sleep telling myself, âSoon.âCarla noticed the change in me. She watched me closely, like she was waiting for me to say something. But I didnât. Not yet.One evening, after dinner, she finally spoke up. âYouâre different.âI raised an eyebrow. âWhat do you mean?ââYouâre not sulking anymore,â she said, smirking. âYouâve got that look.ââWhat look?ââThe look of someone who knows something the rest of us donât.âI chuckled softly. âMaybe I do.âShe leaned back against the wall. âSo, whenâs it happening?âI glanced around, making sure no one was listening. âSoon.âShe nodded, satisfied. âGood.âThat night, as I lay on
Chapter 120: Alicia's Comeback.Alicia's Pov The city lights blurred through the tinted windows of Victorâs car as we drove through the quiet streets. I leaned back in my seat, the cool leather against my skin a reminder that I wasnât in a prison cell anymore. Freedom tasted sweet, but revenge would taste even sweeter.Victor sat beside me, his hands steady on the wheel, a faint smirk on his lips. He enjoyed this just as much as I did. Maybe more. We were alike in many waysâdangerous, calculated, and unforgiving.âWhere are we going?â I asked softly, my voice calm but curious.He glanced at me briefly. âSomewhere quiet. We need to talk.âI nodded, knowing better than to question him too much. Victor wasnât someone you pushed. Not unless you wanted to get burned.We pulled into a secluded driveway, the house barely visible behind tall trees and high walls. Security cameras blinked in the dark, and I smiled to myself. He was careful. Smart. I liked that.Inside, the house was modern
Alicia's Pov.The sound of rain tapping against the windows filled the room, but I barely noticed it. My eyes were glued to the laptop screen in front of me, scrolling through endless news articles about Olivia Bennett. The headlines still flashed in my mind.âOliviaâs Dark Past Revealed: The Secrets She Tried to Hide.âThe media was eating it up, and I couldnât stop smiling. Oliviaâs perfect little world was starting to crack, and I wasnât even close to being done.Victor walked into the room, holding two glasses of wine. He handed me one and leaned against the desk, watching me with that amused smirk he always had.âEnjoying yourself?â he asked, raising an eyebrow.âVery much,â I replied, taking a sip. âShe must be losing her mind right now.âVictor chuckled softly. âProbably. But donât get too comfortable. Leonardo will fight back.âI set the glass down and turned to face him. âLet him. Iâm ready.âHe studied me for a moment, his dark eyes unreadable. âYou really hate them, donât
Chapter 122:Alicia's Pov.The morning after the charity event, I woke up with a lingering smile. The image of Oliviaâs pale face and Leonardoâs clenched jaw played in my mind like a favorite song. They thought they could live their happy little life without consequences. Last night was just a reminder that I wasnât going anywhere.Victor was already up, sitting in the living room with his laptop open. His dark eyes flicked up when I walked in, wearing one of his oversized shirts. He smirked, amused by my comfortable appearance.âSleep well?â he asked, his tone light.âVery,â I replied, pouring myself a cup of coffee. âOliviaâs fear is the best lullaby.âVictor chuckled. âShe was definitely shaken.âI sat across from him, tucking my legs under me. âAny news?âHe leaned back, tapping his fingers on the table. âLeonardoâs been busy. Heâs tightened security around Olivia. Cameras, guards, the whole thing.ââPredictable,â I muttered. âHe thinks walls and cameras will keep me away.âVic
Chapter 123:Olivia's Pov.The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at my phone. Another message from Alicia. Another reminder that she was still out there, waiting, watching. My fingers trembled as I read her words again.âDid you sleep well, Olivia? Sweet dreams wonât last forever.âI felt a lump in my throat, the familiar weight of fear pressing down on me. No matter where I turned, she was there. In my mind, in my nightmares, in every corner of my life. I thought we were free of her. I thought her arrest meant the end. But Alicia Hayes was like a ghost that refused to rest.âOlivia?âLeonardoâs voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see him standing in the doorway, concern etched into his handsome features. His dark hair was slightly messy, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, and even in my fear, my heart skipped at the sight of him. But I couldnât let myself get lost in him righ
Chapter 124:Olivia's Pov.The next morning, I woke up feeling like a weight was pressing down on my chest. My eyes were heavy from lack of sleep, and the constant fear that Alicia was lurking somewhere in the shadows made it hard to breathe. Leonardo was already out of bed, and the spot beside me was cold. I hated waking up alone now. It only made the silence around me louder.I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes and trying to push away the lingering nightmare that clung to my mind. Aliciaâs voice, her threats, her smileâthey followed me even when I slept. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, hoping there wouldnât be another message from her.Nothing.For now.I let out a shaky breath and forced myself to get up. My bare feet touched the cold floor, sending a small shiver through my body. I grabbed one of Leonardoâs shirts from the chair, pulling it on as I made my way downstairs.The house was quiet, too quiet, and even though I knew the guards were outside, I still felt unsafe
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 LoveOliviaâs 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.âFaster, Daddy!â she squealed.Leonardo groaned dramatically. âPrincess, Daddy is getting old.âShe giggled, tapping his head. âNo, youâre not! Youâre strong like a superhero!âI 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. âLook who finally decided to join us.âOur daughter gasped. âMommy,
Chapter 157: A Love That LastsOliviaâs 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 sweetâpancakes, 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: EpilogueOliviaâs 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 legacyâdestroyed. 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)Leonardoâs 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 couldnât 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.âYou canât run forever.âI gritted my teeth and shoved the phone back into my jacket. "Heâs playing with us," I muttered.Oliviaâs voice shook. "Heâs 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 didnât have an answer.The phone buzzed again.I hesitated, then
Chapter 154Oliviaâs 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 floorsâeverything Matteo Russo had built to continue his fatherâs legacy.But the weight in my chest wouldnât lift. The fire mightâve destroyed the compound, but the memories remained. The sight of Matteoâs small body hitting the floor haunted me. His lifeless eyes. The blood spreading across his shirt.Heâd 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 Iâd 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:Leonardoâs 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 didnât 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, heâd 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 wasnât 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 Victorâs body. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling."Yeah," I said. "We won."Harrisâs 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."Itâs 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.Oliviaâs 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 weâd survived. But as I stood on the porch beside Leonardo, the weight of what
Chapter 151:Leonardoâs 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:âThe devil doesnât die.âVictor Russo was alive. Or someone who looked and sounded exactly like him.I didnât 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 coronerâs report."I didnât have an answer. Iâd held Victorâs cold wrist to check for a pulse that day. Iâd seen the bullet hole in his forehead. But tonight...Iâd seen him standing beneath the trees, breathing, smiling."Weâre missing something," I said finally. "Something big."She hugged herself. "What if it really was him?"I gritted my t