Chapter 5 Shadows of the Past

Maria sat in her car outside Luca's estate, her fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. The sprawling mansion loomed in front of her, its stone facade lit by faint golden lights, but it felt less like a sanctuary and more like a trap. She had agreed to meet him tonight, but every fibre of her being screamed at her to turn back. Trusting Luca felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, unsure if the ground would crumble beneath her feet. But there was no turning back now. Not after everything she had been through.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car and walked to the front door. A guard nodded at her and stepped aside, letting her in without a word. The interior of the house was just as imposing as the exterior grand, luxurious, and cold. Luca was waiting for her in his private study. When she entered, he rose from his chair and walked toward her, his expression unreadable. "Maria," he said softly, gesturing for her to sit. She remained standing, crossing her arms over her chest. "No games, Luca. No evasions. You promised to tell me everything." He nodded, running a hand through his hair. "I will. But you need to understand that what I'm about to say might change the way you see me and yourself." Maria frowned. "What does that mean?" Luca hesitated, then motioned for her to sit again. This time, she obliged, though her posture remained tense.

Luca poured himself a drink and took a seat across from Maria. "You already know Dominic and I have history," he began. "But what you don't know is how deep that history runs." He set the glass down and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Years ago, Dominic and I worked together. We were partners, building an empire from the ground up. He was ruthless, and I was ambitious. Together, we were unstoppable."

Maria's stomach tightened. She had suspected Luca had a dark past, but hearing it confirmed was still jarring. "So what happened?" she asked. "Power happened," Luca said bitterly. "Dominic wanted to control everything and everyone. He didn't care who he hurt as long as he got what he wanted. When I started questioning his methods, things went south really fast." Maria leaned back, her arms still crossed. "So you left?"

Luca nodded. "I walked away and started building my empire. But Dominic didn't take kindly to that. He saw it as a betrayal, and he's been trying to destroy me ever since." "And where do I fit into all of this?" Maria asked, her voice sharp. Luca met her gaze, his eyes dark with regret. "You're more connected to this than you realize. Dominic doesn't just see you as a pawn to get to me. He sees you as a threat." Maria's brow furrowed. "Why?" "Because you're smarter than him," Luca said simply. "And because he knows I care about you."

Her breath caught in her throat, but she quickly shook her head. "That doesn't explain why he's targeting me so aggressively. There's more to this, isn't there?" Luca hesitated again, his jaw tightening. "There's one more thing you need to know. Your father-" "What about my father?" Maria cut him off, her voice icy. Luca sighed, his shoulders slumping. "He used to work for Dominic. They were close, closer than you'd ever imagine. Your father was one of his top men until he tried to leave. Dominic doesn't forgive betrayal, Maria. He killed your father to make an example out of him."

Maria's world tilted. She stared at Luca, her mind reeling. "You're lying," she said, though her voice wavered. "I wish I were," Luca said quietly. "But it's the truth. Your father's death wasn't an accident. It was a message." Maria stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. She paced the room, her hands trembling. "Why didn't I know about this? Why didn't my mother tell me?" "She probably didn't want you to live with that kind of fear," Luca said. "And maybe she didn't know the full story. Dominic doesn't leave loose ends. "Maria stopped pacing, her back to Luca. "And you? Were you there when it happened?"

"No," he said firmly. "I didn't even know until years later. And when I found out, I vowed to protect you from him." She turned to face him, her expression a mix of anger and anguish. "Protect me? By dragging me into this war?" "I didn't drag you into anything," Luca said, standing as well. "Dominic did. And I've been doing everything I can to keep you safe." Maria shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't know if I can believe you, Luca. I don't know what to believe anymore."

Unbeknownst to Maria and Luca, Dominic was already moving his next piece on the chessboard. In a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of the city, Carlo stood before a table covered in documents, photographs, and maps. Dominic entered the room, his presence commanding. "Is everything ready?" Dominic asked. "Yes, boss," Carlo replied. "We've got eyes on her apartment, her office, and her favourite spots around the city. She won't be able to take a step without us knowing." Dominic nodded, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "Good. And Luca?" "He's still trying to clean up the mess we've been feeding him," Carlo said. "But he's getting sloppy. He's too focused on Maria to see the bigger picture." Dominic chuckled. "Perfect. Let him unravel. And when the time comes, we'll make our move." Carlo hesitated, then spoke cautiously. "And Maria? What do you want us to do if she gets in the way?" Dominic's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating glare. "Maria is leverage. But if she becomes a liability..." He didn't need to finish the sentence. Carlo nodded, understanding the unspoken command.

Back at Luca's estate, Maria stood at the window, staring out into the night. She felt like a ship adrift in a storm, with no clear direction and no safe harbour in sight. Luca approached her cautiously, his voice soft. "Maria, I know this is a lot to process. But I need you to trust me. I can't do this without you." She turned to face him, her expression guarded. "Trust isn't something you can demand, Luca. It's something you earn." "I know," he said, stepping closer. "And I'll spend the rest of my life earning it if I have to." For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was heavy with unspoken words, unresolved tension, and something deeper-something neither of them was ready to acknowledge. Finally, Maria nodded. "Alright. But if you lie to me again, Luca..." "I won't," he promised, his voice steady. Maria held his gaze for a moment longer before turning back to the window. The city stretched out before her, a sea of lights and shadows. Somewhere out there, Dominic was waiting, planning his next move. And she knew it was only a matter of time before the storm came crashing down.

The silence between Maria and Luca stretched out, heavy and suffocating. Maria turned away from the window, pacing the room like a caged animal. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions: anger, sadness, confusion, and betrayal. She thought back to her father, the man who had been her anchor in childhood. His death had been the defining wound of her life, a pain she had never fully healed from. To think that his death wasn't random, that it was orchestrated by Dominic, made her stomach churn. But why hadn't her mother told her the truth? Did she even know? "Maria," Luca's voice broke through her thoughts. She looked at him, her eyes blazing. "You should've told me this earlier, Luca. I deserved to know." "You're right," he admitted. "But I wanted to protect you." "Protect me?" she repeated bitterly. "Or keep me in the dark so you could control me?" His jaw clenched, and for a moment, she thought he might argue. But then his shoulders sagged, and he looked at her with an expression she didn't expect. "I made mistakes," he said softly. "I thought keeping you out of this was the best way to keep you safe. But I see now that I was wrong. You're not someone who needs protecting. You're someone who deserves the truth." Maria crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "You're damn right I do. And from now on, you don't get to decide what I can or can't handle. Understood?" Luca nodded. "Understood."

In the heart of his penthouse, Dominic reviewed a series of files spread across his desk. He held one photograph in his hand, a candid shot of Maria leaving her office. She looked determined, but there was a vulnerability in her expression that made him smile. "She's unravelling," Dominic muttered to himself, setting the photo down. Carlo stood nearby, his arms crossed. "She's tougher than she looks, boss. She might not crack the way you're expecting." Dominic shot him a sharp look. "Everyone has a breaking point, Carlo. Maria is no exception. The key is knowing which pressure points to push." Carlo hesitated, then asked, "Do you think she knows the full truth about her father yet?"

Dominic smirked. "If Luca hasn't told her, he's an even bigger fool than I thought. But it doesn't matter. The truth is a double-edged sword, and Maria's already bleeding from one side. She'll come to me eventually." "And if she doesn't?" Carlo asked cautiously. Dominic's smile faded, his voice hardening. "Then we'll give her a reason to. If she refuses to see the light, we'll make her." Carlo nodded, though unease flickered in his eyes. He knew how far Dominic was willing to go, and it was farther than most men dared.

Back at the estate, Maria finally sat down, her legs feeling weak beneath her. She rested her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands. Luca watched her, his heart aching. He wanted to comfort her, but he knew his touch might not be welcome right now. Instead, he sat across from her, giving her space to process. "Do you want me to leave you alone?" he asked after a long silence. Maria looked up, her eyes red-rimmed but fierce. "No," she said firmly. "I want answers." Luca nodded, leaning forward. "Ask me anything." "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she demanded. "Was it just to protect me, or was there another reason?" "It was mostly to protect you," Luca admitted. "But I also didn't know how you'd react. I was afraid you'd push me away, that you'd hate me for not telling you sooner." Maria shook her head. "I don't hate you, Luca. I'm angry, confused, and hurt, but I don't hate you. Not yet, anyway." Her words stung, but Luca nodded in acceptance. He knew he deserved her anger. "And Dominic," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "If he killed my father, why hasn't he come after me directly? Why now?" "Because now, you matter to me," Luca said simply. "Dominic knows that if he can hurt you, he can hurt me. And if he can't destroy me, he'll try to destroy everything I care about." Maria clenched her fists. "He doesn't get to win, Luca. He doesn't get to destroy us." Luca's eyes softened. "Then we fight him. Together."

Despite Maria's words, she couldn't shake the weight of what she had learned. That night, after returning to her apartment, she sat alone in her living room, staring at a framed photograph of her father. Did you know, Dad? she wondered. Did you know that working for Dominic would cost you everything? Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a text from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: You're getting too close to the truth, Maria. Be careful, or you'll end up like him.

Her blood ran cold. She stared at the message, her hands shaking. Whoever was sending these messages wasn't just watching her-they knew her darkest fears, her most vulnerable moments. And they weren't afraid to use them against her. Maria took a deep breath and typed out a response.

Maria: Who is this? What do you want from me?

The reply came almost instantly.

Unknown Number: I want you to survive. But that won't happen if you keep trusting Luca.

Her heart pounded. She wanted to dismiss the message as another mind game, another attempt to manipulate her. But a small part of her couldn't help but wonder if there was some truth to it. She deleted the messages and put her phone down, determined not to let fear consume her. But as she lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

Across the city, Luca stood on the balcony of his estate, staring out at the darkened skyline. His thoughts were consumed by Maria- her strength, her resilience, and her pain. He had vowed to protect her, but the closer they grew, the more he realized how much was at stake. Dominic wouldn't stop until he had torn them apart, and Luca wasn't sure he could shield Maria from everything that was coming. But one thing was certain: he would die before he let Dominic win. As the wind rustled around him, Luca made a silent promise to himself and Maria. I won't let you face this alone.

Maria spent the next morning in a haze, nursing a coffee that had long gone cold. The text from the unknown number lingered in her mind like a haunting melody she couldn't shake. She sat at her kitchen table, flipping through an old scrapbook her mother had kept. It was filled with pictures of her father: birthdays, holidays, quiet family moments that seemed so ordinary back then but now felt like relics of a world she no longer recognized. Her father's smile in every photo seemed so genuine, so full of life. It was impossible to reconcile the loving man she remembered with the dangerous life Luca had described. Her phone buzzed, jolting her out of her thoughts. It was a call from an unknown number. Maria hesitated. Every instinct screamed at her to let it go to voicemail. But something compelled her to pick up. "Hello?" she said cautiously. There was silence on the other end, followed by the faint sound of someone breathing. "Who is this?" Maria demanded, her voice sharpening. Finally, a low voice responded, chilling her to the bone. "You're playing a dangerous game, Maria." Her breath hitched. "Who are you? What do you want?" The voice chuckled darkly. "I want to see how far you're willing to go for the truth. Let's see if you're as brave as you pretend to be." The line went dead before she could respond. Maria stared at her phone, her heart pounding.

Luca was pacing his office when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw Maria's name. Relief flooded through him as he answered. "Maria, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tense. "No," she said bluntly. "I just got a call from someone who seems to know a lot more about my life than they should. They said I'm playing a dangerous game." Luca's hand clenched around the phone. "Did they say who they were?" "No. But they want me to back off, and they seem to think I'm in over my head." Luca swore under his breath. "This is Dominic's doing. He's trying to intimidate you." "Well, it's working," Maria admitted, her voice cracking. "I feel like I'm being watched everywhere I go, like I'm a pawn in some sick game I don't even understand." "You're not a pawn," Luca said firmly. "You're more important than you realize, and that's exactly why Dominic wants to break you. But I won't let him."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. When Maria spoke again, her voice was softer, almost vulnerable. "I don't know if I can do this, Luca. It feels like everything I thought I knew about my life is a lie." Luca closed his eyes, his heart aching for her. "You're stronger than you think, Maria. And you don't have to do this alone. I'm here. Always." Maria didn't respond right away, but when she finally spoke, there was a hint of determination in her voice. "Okay. But if we're going to fight Dominic, we need a plan. I'm not just going to sit here and wait for him to make the next move." A small smile tugged at Luca's lips. "That's the Maria I know."

Later that evening, Dominic sat at a private table in an upscale restaurant, swirling a glass of red wine. Across from him sat an impeccably dressed woman with sharp eyes and an air of authority. "She's starting to crack," Dominic said, taking a sip of his wine. The woman raised an eyebrow. "And you think pushing her further will work? You're playing a dangerous game, Dominic. Maria isn't like the others." "That's what makes her interesting," Dominic said with a smirk. "She's got fire, and I want to see how far I can push her before she burns." The woman leaned forward, her expression serious. "Be careful. If you push too hard, you might end up creating an enemy you can't control." Dominic's smile widened. "Good. A little chaos never hurt anyone. Besides, it's not about control-it's about making her see the world my way." The woman shook her head, clearly unimpressed. "Just don't forget that Luca won't stand by and let you tear her apart. He'll fight back, and he's more dangerous than you give him credit for." Dominic's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Luca's time is running out. He just doesn't know it yet."

That night, Maria stood on the balcony of her apartment, staring out at the city. The cool night air brushed against her skin, but she barely noticed. Her conversation with Luca had given her some comfort, but it hadn't erased the fear simmering in her chest. Dominic's reach was long, and his threats felt like a shadow hovering over her every move. But as much as she wanted to run, she knew she couldn't. Her father's death, Luca's warnings, and the cryptic messages, it was all connected, and she was at the centre of it. For better or worse, she had to see this through.

As she stood there, a sense of resolve began to build within her. She might be out of her depth, but she wasn't powerless. Dominic wanted to play games? Fine. But she wasn't going to let him call all the shots. Turning away from the city, Maria stepped inside and closed the balcony door behind her. Tomorrow, she would start taking control of her fate. The storm was coming, but she was determined to face it head-on.