The tension of Riele's double life weighed on her, and the uncertainty around her relationship with Jace only heightened the risk. She knew she was walking a tightrope, balancing between her mission and her feelings for Jace. The harder she tried to maintain control, the more difficult it became to separate her loyalty to her mother from the genuine connection she was forming with Jace.
The following evening, Riele attended one of her mother's "strategy meetings." The room was dimly lit, and her mother's presence was as formidable as ever. Flanked by her loyal goons, she exuded an air of authority that seemed unshakeable. Riele sat silently at the edge of the room, observing her mother's intense focus on her rival, Jace's father.
"We need to make the Santoro family suffer," her mother said, her voice cold and unfeeling. "If we strike them where it hurts, they'll be weakened, and they'll know not to cross us again."
Riele felt a jolt of panic. She had always known her mother's motives, but the reality of Jace being involved twisted her insides. She forced herself to stay composed, hoping her expression didn't betray the storm raging inside her.
Her mother's gaze landed on her, sharp as a knife. "Felix, I need you to dig deeper. Get closer to the Santoros. Find anything—any weakness we can exploit."
Riele swallowed hard. "Understood," she replied, fighting to keep her voice steady. She could feel Marcus watching her closely, his usual calm exterior masking an unspoken warning: there was no room for failure.
The meeting ended, and as Riele rose to leave, her mother stopped her with a look. "Felix," she said, her voice softer but laced with menace, "don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. Remember why you're doing this."
Riele nodded, feeling the weight of her mother's expectations settle heavily on her shoulders. She was being reminded that any slip-up would have consequences, and she couldn't afford to let her feelings for Jace get in the way of the mission.
---
At school the next day, Riele's mind was clouded with worry. She tried to appear casual around Jace, but her mother's words echoed in her head, forcing her to keep her distance. Jace, perceptive as ever, picked up on her mood.
"Felix, is everything okay?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
Riele hesitated. "Yeah, I'm just...tired, I guess."
Jace didn't seem convinced. He stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. "You know, you can talk to me. I get that you have secrets, but...you don't have to carry everything alone."
She wanted to tell him, to let him in, but the walls around her were too strong. "I appreciate that, Jace. Really."
Before he could press further, they were interrupted by a group of Jace's friends calling him over. Riele watched as he reluctantly turned away, casting one last glance in her direction before joining them.
As he walked away, a pang of loneliness washed over her. She was surrounded by people, yet she had never felt so isolated. Every day, the line between her mission and her heart blurred a little more, and she didn't know how much longer she could keep her worlds separate.
---
Later that evening, Riele returned home to find her mother waiting for her in the study. Her mother's gaze was calculating, and Riele immediately felt the tension in the room.
"I've heard from my informants that Jace's father is planning something," her mother said, her voice low. "Something that could disrupt our plans. I need you to be on high alert."
Riele's heart raced. "What do you want me to do?"
Her mother's eyes narrowed. "Get close to Jace. Find out what his father is up to. Use whatever means necessary."
The command was clear, but the thought of betraying Jace twisted her stomach. She could feel her mother's piercing gaze, scrutinizing her every reaction.
"Understood," she replied, forcing herself to appear calm.
As she left her mother's study, she felt a sense of dread settle over her. Her mother's orders were growing more ruthless, and the stakes were higher than ever. She was being pulled deeper into a dangerous game, one that threatened to consume her.
---
The following days passed in a haze. Riele maintained her facade, playing her role as Felix while carefully navigating her interactions with Jace. But her resolve was weakening, and each moment with him felt like a test of her loyalty.
One evening, Jace invited her over to his house under the pretense of working on a project. Riele hesitated but eventually agreed, knowing she needed to gather information, even if it meant betraying his trust.
When she arrived, she was struck by the warmth of Jace's home. His mother greeted her kindly, her gentle presence a stark contrast to the cold, calculated world Riele was accustomed to. She felt a pang of envy, wishing for a family that wasn't built on secrets and manipulation.
They settled in Jace's room, and for a while, they focused on the project. But as the evening wore on, Jace's usual lighthearted demeanor faded, replaced by a somber expression.
"Felix, I know something's been bothering you," he said, breaking the silence. "You're not yourself lately."
Riele tensed, her mind racing for an excuse. "I'm fine, Jace. Really."
He looked at her, his gaze piercing. "You don't have to pretend with me. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I want to be there for you."
The sincerity in his voice broke something inside her. She wanted to trust him, to let him in, but the fear of losing him kept her silent. She forced a smile, deflecting his concern. "Thanks, Jace. That means a lot."
Jace sighed, frustration flickering in his eyes. "I just...I feel like there's so much about you I don't know. I want to understand you, Felix. But you keep pushing me away."
Riele's heart ached. She wanted to tell him everything, to reveal the truth about her identity, her mission, and her mother's control over her life. But she knew that once she crossed that line, there would be no turning back.
"Maybe one day," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
As they sat in silence, a sense of foreboding settled over her. She could feel the walls closing in, the noose tightening around her. Her loyalty to her mother, her love for Jace, and her own desire for freedom were all colliding, and she didn't know how much longer she could keep her secrets hidden.
But for now, she had to play her role, even if it meant betraying the one person who made her feel truly alive.