Veil of secrets and deception

he had barely slept the night before, her thoughts a constant whirl of confusion and betrayal. Every

ach one growing more desperate as the hours passed. The rational part of her mind told her to ignore him, to

had been living a double life, hid

a sense of dread rising in her chest. She had expected this, in a way. After what

e other side, waiting for her to forgive him, to give him another chance. But could sh

the door. She didn't have to open it to know who was o

ression a mixture of desperation and regret. His dark eyes searched hers, h

y, his voice trembling. "

her arms over her chest, her gaze unwavering. "I

u. I know I've kept things from you, but it wasn't because I didn't c

too many times. Protecting her? If he truly c

re," Olivia replied, her voice cold. "You've kept me

on't understand. This life... it's not something you just walk

her head. "I can't be a part of this. I can't be wi

I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted you to find out like this, b

ew it wasn't enough. His actions had already spoken louder th

ispered, her voice bre

ve, her heart breaking with every passing second. But there was no other choice. She couldn't

-

-felt like it was unraveling at the seams. She couldn't concentrate. Her thoughts kept driftin

appened, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the choices she had made. The love she had for

g her from her thoughts. This

d to talk. Come

an's calls all day, not wanting to discuss the case or the mess she had creat

-

grim. He didn't ask her how she was or if she had seen Luca. Instead, he

his voice steady. "And I think we may be c

ind struggling to foc

at last night. They're just the tip of the iceberg. I've traced the payments and f

a punch to the gut. "Wh

tween Luca and several key figures in the drug trade. High-level people, Olivia. P

in her throat. "No. That c

"But the evidence doesn't lie. He's involved, and

med-hearing it from Ryan-was a whole different reality. She had never been naive enough

he truth. He's not who you think he is. And if you keep pro

had loved-was a lie. She had trusted him with everything, and now that trust was sh

y had he asked her to stay? Why had he begged her

" she asked quietl

rward. We bring him in. We have to do this, Olivia.

ar she was from the life she had once known. She wasn't just in love with a m

-

but everything felt distant now. She had always prided herself on her ability to see things clearly, to make decisions based on logic and rea

this time with a message

not to walk a

look to know who it was. Luca was watching her, waiting

. She had to stay stron

wondered: was it really too late to