“Don’t look for her,” Belle said, her voice breaking. “If she's not dead, she ran away for a reason. So don't.”Juan froze. For a long moment, he didn't say anything. Then finally, he let out a shaky laugh and took a few steps back. “You think I’m just going to sit around and accept that?” he said, his tone rough. He ran a hand over his face and turned away. “No. You don’t know her like I do. She wouldn’t do that to me.”“Juan—”He started pacing. “She loved me. She wouldn’t just vanish like that. No note, no call, nothing? That’s not her. She could have been angry, but we could have worked it out.” He kept muttering under his breath, his hands restless at his sides. “They’re lying. Maybe they got the wrong person. Maybe it’s not even her body.”“Juan, stop,” Belle said, stepping closer. “You are so fucking impossible, mean and controlling. She didn't want to work anything out that's why she ran— and that's if she's not dead. Are you fucking listening to your fucking self— oh my God."
Police stations had that one smell Juan didn't like. He never went to one willingly, except the situation was dire. Like this one. He walked through the hallways and saluted a man. "Down the hall. You'll see the person in charge." he said. "Nice seeing you Mr. Moreno."Juan nodded. Belle kept her arms crossed, her eyes moving from one door to the next. Juan walked beside her, restless, his hands deep in his pockets.“Are you sure this is the right place?” Belle asked quietly, glancing at the man in uniform near the end of the hall.“Yeah,” Juan said, nodding once. “This is where they said they brought her.” He didn’t look at her when he spoke. His voice was low and tired.They stopped by the counter. A middle-aged officer with graying hair looked up from a clipboard. “Yes?” he said.Juan leaned on the counter slightly. “We’re here to request a DNA match. For the body they found at the pier.”The officer blinked. “And you are?”“I’m her boyfriend,” Juan said quickly. “And this is her
Juan’s hands shook as he held the note. It was crumpled at the edges, like it had been folded too many times. Belle stood close to him, holding her breath. The woman who gave them the note had already gone inside, leaving them alone on the porch.He looked down at the first line.I'm sorry. But life hasn't been worth living. To whoever still cares enough to look for me,His throat tightened. He read out loud with a shaky voice. I don’t know what to say anymore. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to be happy, but I'm never happy. I’m tired of doing that. I’m tired of trying to belong in a world that keeps pushing me away and abusing me. Belle pressed a hand over her mouth.I’m sorry for not being stronger. And um, if you ever see this Juan. I loved you even if you never believed it. Even if you thought love was something to win or control. I loved you enough to walk away, because staying was killing me.Juan blinked hard, his chest burning. He could barely see the words now.Don’
Juan was going crazy. One whole fucking week and Arya had not made any attempt to contact him. He could hardly concentrate on the mission he was to do, but luckily he has Dominic who wanted the circle gone as much as he did. Maybe he and Dominic coming to a truce wasn't much of a bad idea. He has called her twice— two days after she had stayed away. The first went through but she didn't pick, and the next call went straight to voicemail. Belle had told him to leave her the fuck alone. And then she wouldn't pick his calls anymore. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration crawling through him. He had tried to keep his mind at peace by constantly by checking her location. It remained at Belle's house. He wanted to go over there— get on his knees and beg her to come back. But his pride won't let him. His phone beeped just then. He half expected it to be Dominic maybe, some update about the latest circle member they were going to kill, but it wasn't. It was Belle. Hey, Juan h
He sighed and called again, but her number went straight to voicemail. "You're just unnecessarily petty," he muttered feeling annoyed. He couldn't just call Arya especially not after the argument they had before she left. But then he was worried. She was with Belle, so she was safe right? Belle had good guards, Belle was careful...Belle wasn't necessarily a target.In fact, with everything going on, she was safer with Belle. His mind wouldn't rest either ways. He picked up his phone and decided to check her location. "Thank God," he breathed out, seeing the red dot was in Belle's house. She would come back when she's ready. He said to himself. *+*+*++*+*+*She was exhausted by the time she got to Venice. It was evening already—closer to night time even. The sun had gone down almost completely, bathing the city in a dim orange light.The bus stopped near a small square, and Arya got off slowly. The ground felt uneven under her shoes. She could hear people talking in low voices
"I should go," he said quietly. "I'll bring you some cash in the morning."When he left, she walked to the door and watched him disappear down the road. The street was quiet again.She turned back to the small living room. The light was dim now, and shadows stretched across the floor. She sat down on the couch, holding the folder close to her chest.For the first time in a long while, she felt like she could breathe.Her father’s house would be safe. Her memories would be safe. And soon, she would be far away from everything that had hurt her.She looked at the keys on the table and smiled faintly.Tomorrow, she would leave Sicily.And maybe, just maybe, start over.For the rest of the night, she kept tossing and turning— worrying that Juan would come here and take her back to the mansion. There was a part of her that wanted him to. A part of her that wanted him to care, but then how could he when he has his enemies to focus on?She sighed and glanced up at the clock for the hundred