Sofia's POV
The air felt heavy in the apartment. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood by the door, watching Marco. His face was grim, and there was a sharp edge to his usually confident demeanor. He was no longer a part of his family. The very thing that defined his existence had just been stripped away. Marco had sacrificed everything to be with me.
"Marco," I whispered, not sure how to ask the question that had been hanging in the air ever since we left his father's office. "What happens now?"
He didn't immediately answer. Instead, Marco walked across the room to my small kitchen and poured himself a drink. He didn't offer one to me. His back was turned to me, but I could feel the tension in his shoulders. The weight of his exile was heavy, and it wasn't just about losing his family's support. It was about everything he had to give up—the power, the wealth, the luxury that had been his birthright.
After a long moment, Marco turned to face me, his eyes hard. "We survive, Sofia. That's all that matters right now. My family will come after us, but we'll be fine. We just need to keep moving. Keep a low profile."
I couldn't help but stare at him. "You really think we can just run forever? Hide forever?"
Marco's lips curled into a smirk, though it lacked its usual warmth. "I'm not planning to hide forever. But right now, it's the only way to stay alive." His gaze softened for a moment. "I promised you I'd keep you safe, didn't I?"
The words hit me harder than I expected. I was scared, confused, and angry, but a part of me felt comforted by the promise in his voice. I wanted to trust him. I had to trust him.
But what about my family? My brothers? How could I leave them behind? I had already caused enough trouble by being involved with him, and now we were both running from his family.
I stood still, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "Marco, I... I can't just leave my family. My mom and my brothers, they're everything to me. They're going to worry about me."
Marco stepped closer, his expression serious. "I've already contacted your family. They know you're safe, Sofia. You don't have to worry about them." His voice lowered, almost tender. "But I'm not letting you go back. Not while my family is looking for us."
I couldn't believe what he was saying. "You contacted them? Without asking me?" My voice rose in disbelief. "You didn't even give me a choice!"
Marco's jaw tightened, but his eyes remained calm. "I didn't want them to worry more than they already would. They're fine, Sofia. You're fine. I'm doing what I have to in order to keep you safe."
I wanted to argue more, but I couldn't. His words were like a double-edged sword: comforting and suffocating at the same time. He was right, though. If I went back, I would be putting my family at risk too. But what about my life here? This apartment, my brothers, my mom—everything that I knew?
"Why did you do this, Marco?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Why are you risking everything for me? You're exiled from your family, your name—everything. And for what?"
Marco walked over to me, standing just inches away. "Because I want you. Because I can't imagine my life without you in it, Sofia. You're not just some girl to me. You're everything."
His words hung in the air, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. He was exiled. He had lost everything for me. And I still wasn't sure if I deserved it.
But as I looked into his eyes, something shifted inside me. I wasn't the same person I had been when I first met him. I had stepped into his world, whether I wanted to or not. And now, there was no turning back.
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly. "What do we do now?"
Marco's eyes darkened, a flicker of determination in them. "We stick together. We figure it out. But we can't stay here for long. I'll make sure your family is taken care of, but you need to trust me."
I wasn't sure how, but I nodded. I didn't have another choice. Not now.
---
Marco's POV
I could see the doubt in Sofia's eyes, but I knew she'd come around. She didn't have to like it, but she'd see that I was doing everything I could to protect her. Leaving everything behind was hard for both of us. I had sacrificed too much. My family, my wealth, my status—all of it. But Sofia was worth it. She had to be.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to keep myself calm. "Sofia," I said, my voice low but firm, "We need to leave soon. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes. We can't risk anyone finding us."
She didn't argue, but I could see she was still torn. "Where are we going?"
"To my place," I said. "I know it's not ideal, but it's secure. And I can protect you better there."
Sofia didn't answer right away. Instead, she glanced at the door, as if she was about to say something. But then she turned back to me. "You really think your family will just leave us alone? After what you did?"
I didn't hesitate. "No, they won't. But I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. And if that means we have to run... then we run. We won't let them take you from me."
Her eyes softened, and I could see the trust slowly returning. She was still scared. Hell, so was I. But we were in this together, and I wasn't going to let her face it alone.
---
Sofia's POV
Marco was right. We couldn't stay here. Not with his family hunting us. But as we stepped out of the apartment and into the waiting car, I couldn't shake the fear that had settled in my stomach. What had I gotten myself into?
We drove in silence, the city lights flashing by as I tried to hold on to some semblance of normalcy. My brothers, my mom—they were out there, unaware of the danger that loomed over them because of me. I had no idea when or if I'd ever be able to go back. And that thought... it hurt more than I expected.