Chapter 25 #2
In the rearview, the black car was still there, faster than me, closing in.
I kept the pedal down, blowing through an intersection, running a red light. Cars honked. I didn't stop.
Ahead was a stretch of green belt. The road narrowed. I tried to turn, but the wheels lost grip. The whole car shot off the road, crashing into the roadside grass. The impact slammed my head into the steering wheel. Stars exploded in my vision.
The black car stopped by the road, engine rumbling. I heard the door open. Footsteps approaching.
"Leo..." My mind went blank, only one thought left: protect Leo.
I struggled with my seatbelt, trying to climb to the back seat.
Then another engine roared. A deafening crash followed—metal twisting, glass shattering. Through the broken rearview mirror, I saw a silver car shoot out and slam into the black car.
The black car flipped, rolling several times before stopping.
The silver car's door opened. A familiar figure stepped out.
Sebastian.
His movements were calm and precise as he walked toward the overturned car. Two men crawled out, raising guns, but Sebastian was faster. Three shots. Clean. Both men dropped and didn't move.
I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. I just stared at it all, like watching a movie.
Sebastian walked to my car, his expression serious and tense. He pulled open the door, quickly checking me and Leo.
"Are you hurt?" His voice was calm, but his eyes held a coldness I'd never seen.
"I... I don't know..." My voice trembled. "Leo..."
"I'm okay, Mommy," Leo cried, clearly terrified. "I was brave."
"It's over now, all taken care of. You did great, Leo," Sebastian said, his voice carrying a soothing power. "But we need to leave. Now. Olivia, can you walk?"
I nodded, though my legs were still shaking. Sebastian helped Leo and me into his car, then drove quickly from the scene.
The car was dead silent. Leo curled in my lap, his small body still trembling slightly. I held him tight, feeling his warm body—reminding me he was alive. We were both alive.
"I'm sorry," Sebastian finally spoke, hands gripping the wheel. "I should have told you the truth sooner."
"What truth?" My voice was hoarse.
"I'm part of the mob, but I didn't mean to hide it from you. I'm not the heir," he said, bitterness in his tone. "I never wanted that position. I just wanted freedom, wanted a normal life. But the family... the family always finds a way to drag you back."
I looked at his profile, that face I'd thought I knew, now seeming so unfamiliar.
"Those men," he continued, "their car had mob markings. They're Ezio's enemies, most likely the Rossi family. They've got you in their sights, Olivia. You and Leo are both in danger now."
Fear washed over me like ice water. "No," I muttered. "No, that's impossible..."
"It's the truth," Sebastian's voice was gentle but firm. "You're caught in a family war. Even if you leave, they'll track you. Where do you think you can hide?"
"I don't care!" My voice suddenly turned sharp. "I'll take Leo and disappear, leave the country, change our names."
"That won't work," Sebastian interrupted. "Olivia, listen to me."
He pulled the car to the side of the road, turning to face me. His eyes held a determination I'd never seen before.
"Marry me."
Time seemed to stop.
"What?" I stared at him in disbelief.
"Marry me," Sebastian repeated, his tone more serious. "You're a target now. The way things are going, you and Leo will both be in danger. Besides Ezio, I'm the only one who can protect you."
"Ezio..." My voice caught in my throat.
"If you choose Ezio, you'll likely lose Leo," Sebastian looked directly into my eyes. "You know the rules of that world. The heir's woman—her child must receive the family's education.' But I'm different. I won't make you and Leo separate."
I held Leo tighter, momentarily speechless.
His logic was sound, every word hitting my deepest fears. Losing Leo—that was my greatest terror for the past five years, deeper than losing anyone.
"A fake marriage with me," Sebastian continued. "You'll have the family's protection. When things blow over, we can divorce. I'll give you your freedom."
"Sebastian..."
"I know this sounds crazy," his voice softened. "And I know you don't love me. Actually, I love you, Olivia. I have for a long time. But I don't need your love in return. I just want to protect you. Protect Leo."
His confession filled me with a gentle embarrassment. Sebastian was a good man—even though he'd deceived me, even though he belonged to that dark world, I still knew he was fundamentally kind. I appreciated him, was grateful to him, but I couldn't develop romantic feelings for him.
My heart was already occupied by someone else, though I desperately wanted to deny it.
"I can't," I said softly. "Sebastian, I can't use your feelings. It's not fair to you."
"Fair?" He gave a bitter laugh. "Olivia, nothing's fair in this world. But at least let me do this one right thing."
I shook my head, tears welling again. "I need time to think."
"Time's running out," he warned, restarting the engine. "But I respect your decision. For now, let me take you home."
The car continued on, but my thoughts were in chaos. The shooting, the proposal, the danger—it all came too suddenly, too violently. I just wanted a quiet life, just wanted to protect my son. Why was that so hard?
When we got home, it was completely dark. Sebastian insisted on escorting us to the door.
"Think about my offer," he said before leaving. "But don't think too long."
I nodded and closed the door. Leo was exhausted. I helped him wash up and got him into bed. He curled under the covers, little hand gripping my shirt.
"Mommy will always protect you," I whispered, kissing his forehead. "I promise."
After he fell asleep, I sat by the bed and pulled out my phone. My fingers trembled as I dialed Ella's number.
"Oli?" Her voice was sleepy. "What's wrong? It's almost eleven."
"I need you," my voice broke. "Ella, I need you to come over now."
Twenty minutes later, both Ella and Sophie appeared in my room. Seeing my state, they immediately knew something had happened.
I told them everything about today—the shooting, Sebastian's rescue, his proposal. By the end, I was sobbing.
"My God," Sophie held me tight. "Oli..."
"I know," I muttered. "I know."
"You have to leave," Ella said firmly. "Leave now."
"Where?" I cut her off. "You heard what Sebastian said. They'll track me, no matter where I go."
"So you're going to marry him?" Sophie asked incredulously. "Oli, that's not the answer."
"I don't know what the answer is!" My voice was nearly desperate. "I only know I have to protect Leo. If marrying Sebastian can do that..."
"There are other ways," Ella squeezed my hand. "We can go to the police, we can—"
"The police?" I laughed bitterly. "Against the mob? Ella, you're too naive."
The room fell silent. Outside, a night bird called, shrill and lonely.
"Maybe..." Sophie hesitated. "Maybe you should talk to Ezio."
"No," I said immediately. "Absolutely not."
"But he controls the Visconti family, even half the underground in New York," Sophie insisted. "If anyone can protect you, it's him. And... Oli, he's Leo's father."
"At what cost?" I shot back. "Losing Leo? Watching him be trained as a killer? Sophie, you don't understand."
"Then move," Ella said. "Move to another city, far from here. We can help you."
Move. The idea circled in my mind. Maybe that was the most practical choice—not fleeing abroad, but finding a safe place domestically, starting over.
"I'll think about it," I said, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Maybe you're right. Maybe distance can solve everything."
But even as I said it, I knew it was just self-comfort. Because the real problem wasn't geographical distance—it was that I'd gotten too deeply involved in this world.
And the most terrifying part was, I wasn't sure I actually wanted to leave.
That night, after my friends left, I lay in bed staring at the dark ceiling. My hand unconsciously moved to my abdomen, where the memory of Ezio's touch still lingered.
I hated his world, hated his lies, hated the danger he brought.
But I couldn't hate him.
This realization filled me with unprecedented fear. Because I knew that if this continued, I would lose myself, lose everything.
I had to make a choice. And time was ticking away, second by second.
Outside, clouds covered the moon, plunging the manor into deeper darkness. In the distance, an owl called, low and ominous, like some kind of warning.
I closed my eyes, but sleep didn't come. Only fear, confusion, and that truth I refused to acknowledge.
No matter how much I wanted to escape, there was no going back.