Amelia's heart raced as she stared at the figure standing in the doorway. It wasn't just Victoria who had walked into the room. Standing behind her was a man, tall and imposing, with cold, calculating eyes. His sharp suit only added to the air of danger that surrounded him. Amelia's breath caught in her throat as she instinctively took a step back.
Victoria smiled, but there was no warmth in it. It was a smile that sent chills down Amelia's spine. "Amelia, I see you're still trying to play hero. How sweet." Her voice was smooth, like silk, but the venom in her words was unmistakable.
Amelia stood her ground, though her mind raced. She had to think quickly. She had already sacrificed so much to protect Lucas, and now, with Victoria in front of her, she wasn't sure how much more she could endure. The weight of the situation was suffocating.
"I told you, Victoria," Amelia said, her voice steady despite the fear that gripped her. "I'll do what it takes to protect my family."
Victoria's eyes flashed with amusement. "I know you think you're doing the right thing, but you're wrong. You have no idea what you're up against."
The man behind Victoria took a step forward, his presence even more intimidating than hers. His gaze met Amelia's, and there was a hint of something familiar in his eyes. But before Amelia could place it, the man spoke.
"I've been keeping an eye on you, Amelia," he said, his voice deep and gravelly. "You're more important than you think."
Amelia's heart skipped a beat. She didn't recognize him, but his words made her uneasy. Who was this man? And why did he seem to know so much about her?
Victoria, noticing Amelia's confusion, chuckled softly. "You didn't think I would come alone, did you? This is Luca," she said, gesturing to the man at her side. "He's someone who can help us get what we want. And trust me, Amelia, he's someone you'll want on your side."
Amelia's mind was racing. Who was this Luca, and why was Victoria bringing him into the equation? Had her plan to protect Lucas gone wrong? Was this part of a bigger scheme?
Luca took another step closer, his cold eyes never leaving Amelia's. "I know you're afraid, but you need to understand something. Victoria and I aren't your enemies not anymore."
Amelia blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
Luca's gaze softened, just for a moment, and for the first time, Amelia noticed a flicker of something like regret in his eyes. "I've been on the wrong side of this war for a long time. But now I see things clearly."
Victoria's expression darkened. "Don't listen to him, Amelia. He's only trying to manipulate you."
But Amelia wasn't so sure. Something about Luca's words felt different. He didn't carry the same kind of arrogance that Victoria did. And the way he looked at her it was almost as if he was trying to tell her something without saying it outright.
"Why are you telling me this?" Amelia asked, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to make sense of it all. "What's your game, Luca?"
Luca took a step back, his face unreadable. "I'm not asking you to trust me, Amelia. But there's something I need you to know." He paused for a long moment before continuing, "I've been working with Victoria, yes. But I'm not doing this for her. I'm doing it for myself and for you."
Amelia's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, for me?"
Luca exhaled slowly, his expression growing more serious. "The game Victoria is playing it's s bigger than both of us. But the truth is, you've been playing a part in it, whether you realize it or not. There's a reason she's so obsessed with you, Amelia. You're not just the woman Lucas loves. You're part of something much bigger."
Amelia felt her stomach twist with unease. This wasn't what she had expected to hear. "What do you mean?"
Luca didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Victoria, who was watching them with narrowed eyes. He then turned back to Amelia. "I don't have much time, but there's something you need to know about your family. It's not just the money, or the legacy. There's a secret a powerful secret that's been hidden for generations. A secret that could change everything."
Amelia's head was spinning. This was too much to process, too fast. She had always thought her family's history was just that history. A part of the past that no longer held any power over her. But now, Luca was telling her otherwise.
Victoria's voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. "Enough, Luca. You've said too much."
But it was too late. The seeds of doubt had already been planted in Amelia's mind. If what Luca was saying was true, everything she thought she knew about her family and herself could be a lie.
"I need to know more," Amelia said, her voice barely a whisper. "What are you talking about?"
Luca's eyes softened for a brief moment, and then he spoke again, his voice low. "I'm not your enemy, Amelia. I'm the key to unlocking the truth. But if you want to survive this, you'll need to trust me."
Amelia's heart was racing. This was the moment that could change everything. She had been fighting to protect Lucas, to keep her family safe, but now the stakes had grown higher. Was Luca really on her side, or was he just another player in Victoria's game?
Victoria stepped forward, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Don't listen to him, Amelia. He's just trying to manipulate you. You can't trust anyone, not even him."
Amelia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The weight of the situation was suffocating, and every choice she made from this point forward could lead to disaster or salvation. She had to make a decision, and she had to make it quickly.
But as Amelia turned toward Luca, ready to ask one more question, she felt a cold chill wash over her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
Without thinking, she pulled it out and saw a message flash across the screen.
"They know where you are."
The message was from an unknown number.
Amelia's blood ran cold. Someone had found her. Someone was coming.
To be continued...