Chapter 3 One Night, One Lie, Goodbye

Chapter three

DARK DOMAIN – 2:00 PM ~~

Trucks moved in and out of the compound, their engines growling as crates were unloaded with practiced efficiency. A group of armed figures coordinated the operations, directing the flow like a well-oiled machine.

"How's it going?" asked Sage, the group's renowned sharpshooter. He strolled up with his hands buried in his pockets, his hair tied up in a tight bun, glistening with sweat.

"We're wrapping up," said Fire, motioning toward the final crate. "Everything should be in place before the boss arrives."

Kendrox approached them, scanning the scene with sharp eyes.

"We don't have time to be standing around," he said firmly. "Let's move."

An arm suddenly hooked around his shoulder.

"All work and no play makes Drox an idiot," said Seige, Sage's twin, with a mischievous grin. Kendrox smacked her gently on the head.

"Get to work, brat. Where's Thayla?"

A single gunshot cracked through the air behind them.

"You missed me," came a familiar voice.

Thayla, the group's notorious wildcard, approached with a smirk, twirling her pistol. Sage rolled his eyes.

"Didn't even realize you were gone."

She scowled. "Don't tempt me."

"Now that we're all here-what's the deal?" Seige asked, and Kendrox turned to Fire.

"Where is she?"

Everyone fell silent. They knew exactly who he meant. Only Fire answered.

"She's on her way. I texted her."

Kendrox sighed. "She better be here before three. The boss wants everyone in the Red Room by four."

He looked at Sage and Fire. "You two are handling the delivery. In and out. Be back before four."

They both nodded.

Thayla nudged Seige. "Looks like we're not needed. Training?"

"Let's go."

"Red Room, four!" Kendrox shouted after them.

They didn't respond.

---

~~ OAKDALE UNIVERSITY – 5:00 PM ~~

Despite not attending her dream school, Mariana had been enrolled in one of Palermo's best universities-Oakdale, ranked fourth in the country. Meekha had made sure of that.

Now, Mariana descended the main staircase of the university, but she moved like a ghost, her steps slow and heavy.

Tears stung her cheeks as her father's diagnosis replayed in her head.

> "He's too weak to remain in that facility. If this continues, you might lose him sooner than expected."

Her chest tightened.

> "Hasn't he suffered enough?" she thought bitterly. "He was framed... and now this? Death hovering over him like a vulture."

A gentle touch on her shoulder snapped her back to reality. She wiped her face quickly before turning.

"Hi, Jenny. Caspian," she said, forcing a smile.

"Hey, witch," Caspian teased. She playfully punched his arm.

"You okay?" Jenny asked, concerned. "You look... off."

"Something got in my eyes," Mariana lied, smiling weakly.

Caspian narrowed his eyes. "Did he do something to you?"

Jenny groaned. Caspian had never liked Leonardo. Said he gave off "hidden agenda" vibes.

"Not again," she muttered.

"I'm just saying-"

"I love you both," Mariana interrupted, hugging them tightly.

Caspian blinked. "Are you dying?"

They laughed.

"Stop being weird," Jenny said. A car horn honked behind them.

"Here comes lover boy," she added.

Leonardo approached with a smile. Caspian rolled his eyes.

"Hi guys. Hey, babe." Leo kissed Mariana's forehead. Caspian grimaced.

Jenny elbowed him.

"What?"

"We'll just head out," she said quickly, dragging Caspian away.

Leonardo frowned. "Your friends still don't like me."

"They're just... them," Mariana said with a soft smile. "Come on, let's go home. I missed you."

---

~~ OUTSIDE ~~

"What's your problem, Caspian?" Jenny asked as they reached his car.

"I don't trust him. He gives off a vibe I hate."

Jenny raised a brow. "Jealous because he's hotter?"

Caspian scoffed. "Please. Do you know how many girls would kill to be in your shoes?"

Jenny rolled her eyes. Then Caspian's phone beeped-and his entire demeanor changed.

She noticed.

"You're not dropping me off, are you?"

"I'm sorry. Something urgent came up. I'll make it up to you."

Jenny's temper flared. "Every time your phone beeps, you disappear. You don't get to call Leo suspicious when you keep secrets too. I thought we were friends."

She stormed off into a taxi before he could respond. Caspian watched her leave, guilt heavy in his chest. Then his phone beeped again. He drove off without hesitation.

--

LEONARDO'S RESIDENCE – NIGHT ~~

Marianna sat on the kitchen stool, arms wrapped around herself, watching Leonardo move around like he had no idea the storm brewing inside her.

He smiled at her, soft and warm, but her return smile was distant. Heavy.

Then her phone vibrated.

> THE CLOCK IS TICKING, DARLING. ONE DAY LEFT. CHOOSE: YOUR FATHER'S FREEDOM... OR MEEKHA'S HAPPY LIFE.

Her heart stopped. Her hands went cold. She quickly flipped the phone over before Leo could notice.

He turned around, eyes full of unshakable affection. "Dinner's ready."

"Thanks," she whispered. Then after a pause, "Want to drink something?"

"You don't even like alcohol," he said, surprised.

"Just a little. Please?"

He moved closer, kissed her forehead gently. "You can talk to me, love."

She kissed him back, hands lingering on his face. "I just want to feel... warm. Just for tonight."

He returned with a bottle of red wine. "Just don't get drunk on me. Meekha would kill me."

She didn't wait. She downed the first glass like it was water.

Leo blinked, concerned. "Hey-"

She poured another, gulping it down. Her heart pounded violently. Fear, love, guilt-all mixing like poison.

The meal was beautiful, but she could barely taste it.

"This is amazing," she said, voice thin, watery.

"You deserve the best," he murmured.

She stood slowly and walked toward him, her eyes locked on his. Then she straddled his lap, settling over him with trembling hands and tear-glossed eyes.

"I'm sleeping over tonight."

He placed his hands on her waist, looking up at her. "It's been a while..."

She touched his face, voice cracking. "I love you, Leo. I love you so much it hurts."

He stared at her. "Mari..."

"I have something to tell you," she whispered.

"What is it?"

She didn't answer with words. She kissed him-softly at first, then deeper. Fiercer. Her lips trembled. Her hands were urgent, desperate as they fumbled with his shirt.

He pulled back slightly. "You're drunk."

"No," she whispered, eyes shining. "I'm sure. I want this. I want you."

He searched her expression, then leaned in. "Don't beg me to stop..."

"I won't."

He stood, lifting her easily, carrying her to the bedroom. When he laid her down, she was already undoing the zipper of her dress with shaky fingers.

But he stopped her.

"No rush," he murmured, kissing her neck. "Let me take care of you."

Her dress slid off her shoulders slowly, revealing trembling skin and soft vulnerability. He traced every inch of her with reverence, brushing kisses down her collarbone, her stomach, her thighs-but something in the way she tensed made him pause.

"Have you ever...?" he whispered.

She shook her head. "You're my first."

His breath hitched. "Mari..."

"I want you. Only you. Even if it hurts."

His eyes softened-dark with restraint, but burning with emotion. "I'll be gentle. I promise."

His hands moved slowly, carefully. Her body was shaking beneath him. He took his time, kissing her inner thighs, holding her gaze the entire time as he explored her with his fingers. She moaned, shy and breathless, slowly relaxing into his touch.

But when he aligned himself with her and began to enter, her body tensed. A sharp cry escaped her lips.

He stilled immediately. "Mari-"

"I'm okay," she said, voice tight, tears escaping her eyes. "Just... go slow."

He kissed her forehead, brushing the tears away with his thumb.

And he did.

Every inch felt like fire. Every movement was a war between pain and pleasure, between love and guilt. She clung to him, fingers digging into his back, biting her lip to keep from crying out again.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against her lips. "You're so tight... I don't want to hurt you."

"You already have," she said brokenly. "Just don't stop now."

He kissed her deeply as he pushed in fully, stealing her breath as the last of her barrier broke.

She whimpered, her body burning from the inside out-but his hands never left her. He kissed her, worshipped her, whispered how beautiful she was until the pain slowly gave way to something new-something tender and raw and unbelievably powerful.

She started to move with him, slow at first. Their bodies rocked together, clinging desperately like they could fuse into one. The bed creaked softly beneath them. Their gasps filled the room.

"I love you," she whispered again. "I love you so damn much."

He looked down at her, his own eyes glistening. "Then don't leave me."

She broke. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him in for a tear-soaked kiss. "I won't. Not tonight."

Their bodies moved faster, messier, needier. His lips were everywhere-her neck, her chest, her mouth. Her moans grew louder, his control snapped, and when they both finally climaxed-shuddering, breaking-it felt like everything inside them cracked open.

He collapsed beside her, pulling her into his chest. "You're mine," he whispered. "Only mine."

She nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks silently.

Because in less than twenty-four hours...

She might have to destroy him.

---

~~ NEXT DAY – 9:00 AM ~~

Leonardo opened his eyes slowly-only to find the bed empty.

"Anna?" he called, checking the apartment. Nothing.

He reached for his phone. A message lit up his screen.

From Anna.

He smiled.

Then he read it.

> By the time you read this, I'll be walking down the aisle with another man. I'm sorry it ended this way, Leo. But I think it's best we end this now. Hate me if you must-but I'm not sorry. This is who I am.

His phone shook in his hand.

Tears welled in his eyes.

"No. No, this... this has to be a joke."

He dialed her number. Disconnected.

Panicked, he called Meekha.

"Is Anna home yet?" he blurted.

"She was with you, Leo! She left me a weird message about getting married-what the hell is going on?"

"I-I'll find her. I'm sorry."

He hung up and dialed again. This time, she picked up.

"Oh my God, Anna! What's happening? Where are you? What marriage?"

"It's not a joke, Leo. You'll get over it. I just called to say goodbye. Let's never meet again."

"Stop this, Anna! Are you still drunk?! You left my bed this morning-you said you'd marry me!"

She laughed bitterly.

"Yeah. I gave you my first time. Think of it as a goodbye gift."

"ANNA!"

"Goodbye, Leonardo."

Click.

Silence.

"Anna... Anna!"

He screamed, hurling his phone against the wall as hot tears streamed down his face. His chest felt like it was caving in, every breath a battle.

She was gone.

And she'd shattered him completely.