I didn't know how long I stood there, trapped in the crossfire between Luca and Asher, but it felt like a lifetime. My thoughts raced, bouncing from one idea to the next, and yet no matter how hard I tried to focus, nothing made sense. Both of them were telling me to trust them, but neither of them seemed completely honest. I was being torn in every direction, and the weight of it all was unbearable.
Finally, I made a decision. It wasn't the right decision. It wasn't even the best decision. But it was the only decision I could make in that moment.
I dropped the phone from my ear, the sound of Asher's voice still lingering in the air. My hand was shaking, my breath shallow as I looked between Luca and the door behind him.
"I can't stay here anymore," I said, my voice strained. It wasn't the declaration I wanted to make, but it was the one that spilled out of me. The truth felt like a foreign concept, and for once, I didn't want to face it anymore. Not like this.
Luca's eyes flickered, the smallest sign of panic flashing in his gaze, but he quickly masked it with a hardened expression. "You don't have to leave," he said, his tone softer now, almost coaxing. "I can explain everything, Veloria. I swear to you."
"I don't want your explanations," I snapped, before I could stop myself. The words left my mouth so fast that I couldn't take them back. "I want the truth. I want to know what's been happening—what you've been hiding from me."
He stepped forward, his hand reaching for mine, but I pulled away. His eyes hardened, and for a moment, I saw something in him that I hadn't seen before—anger, frustration, maybe even betrayal. I didn't know. And honestly, I didn't care anymore.
"You can't just walk away from this," Luca said, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is bigger than both of us."
"Then make me understand it," I shot back, my chest tight. "Tell me everything. I deserve that much."
But as the words left my lips, I knew they were hollow. I didn't want to be here anymore. I didn't want to be caught between these two men, trying to make sense of their lies and secrets. I needed to get out. I needed to be free, if only for a moment.
Without another word, I turned toward the door. My heart pounded in my chest, each step feeling heavier than the last, but I couldn't stop myself. I had made my choice.
As I reached for the door, I heard Luca's voice again, this time more desperate, more commanding.
"Veloria, don't do this." His words were low, but they carried the weight of everything that had been left unsaid between us. "You don't know what you're getting into."
I froze, my hand resting on the doorknob, and for a split second, I considered going back. I considered turning around and letting him explain, letting him pull me back into his world. But then, as if something deep inside me snapped, I wrenched the door open and stepped into the cold night air.
The moment I crossed the threshold, I felt it—freedom. It was as if the chains that had held me were finally broken, and I was free to breathe again. But the taste of freedom was bitter. I didn't know what was out there waiting for me, and I didn't know if I was making a mistake, but I didn't care. I had to find my own path. Even if it led me into darkness.
I walked quickly, my footsteps echoing in the quiet streets as I tried to put as much distance between me and Luca as possible. I didn't know where I was going, and honestly, I didn't care. I had to be alone for a while. I had to figure out what to do next.
But before I could even get a few blocks away, a figure appeared out of the shadows, blocking my path. I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. I recognized him immediately.
Asher.
His eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the urgency in his gaze. "Veloria," he said softly, his voice barely a whisper. "You shouldn't be out here alone. It's not safe."
I took a step back, my mind reeling. "What do you want, Asher?" I asked, my voice trembling, even though I didn't want it to. "Why are you following me?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked around, his gaze scanning the street as if he were waiting for something—or someone. After a few tense seconds, he took a step toward me, his expression serious.
"You don't understand," Asher said, his voice low. "Luca's not who he says he is. He's dangerous, Veloria. You have to trust me. He's been hiding things from you, things that could get you killed."
I shook my head, my mind in a frenzy. "I don't know who to trust anymore. I don't know who you are, Asher."
He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. "I'm the one trying to help you. I'm the one who's been telling you the truth, even if you didn't want to hear it."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. He was right. He had been the one to warn me, the one who had told me things I didn't want to believe. But the reality was too much to face. I didn't want to be in the middle of this war between them. I didn't want to be anyone's pawn.
"I just want to be safe," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I just want to understand."
"You don't have to understand everything right now," Asher said softly, his hand gently cupping my cheek. "Just know that I'm here for you. And I won't let anything happen to you."
I felt the warmth of his hand against my skin, the comfort of his words, but I couldn't escape the nagging feeling in my gut. What if he was right? What if everything I had believed about Luca was a lie?
But even as I stood there with Asher, I knew one thing for sure: there was no going back.