Abi stood in front of the mirror in Luca's mansion, adjusting her dress carefully.
Her reflection stared back at her with cold determination.
Hazel was gone.
For the first time in weeks, there was no quiet shadow following Luca around.
No innocent smiles.
No soft voice that made everyone adore her.
Abi smirked slightly.
Finally.
Now she could focus.
---
Later that afternoon, Luca walked into his office inside the mansion.
He was halfway through reading some documents when he heard a soft knock.
"Come in," he said.
The door opened slowly.
Abi stepped inside.
She was dressed elegantly, far more carefully than usual.
Luca looked up briefly.
"Do you need something?"
Abi closed the door behind her.
"I just wanted to check on you."
"I'm fine," Luca replied simply.
Abi walked closer, placing a cup of coffee on his desk.
"I noticed you've been stressed lately."
Luca barely looked at it.
"You didn't need to do that."
Abi leaned lightly against the desk.
"You've always taken care of everyone else," she said softly. "Someone should take care of you too."
Luca's eyes finally lifted toward her.
There was something about her tone that felt different.
More deliberate.
More calculated.
"Abi," he said calmly, "what are you trying to say?"
Abi stepped closer.
"Hazel isn't here anymore."
The room went quiet.
"And?" Luca asked.
Abi smiled faintly.
"That means you're free to see people more clearly now."
Luca leaned back in his chair.
"I already see things clearly."
Abi's smile faded slightly.
"You don't have to pretend with me," she said. "I know you deserve someone better."
Luca's expression hardened.
"Better than Hazel?"
Abi crossed her arms.
"She's not the girl you think she is."
Luca stood up slowly.
"And you are?"
The question caught Abi off guard.
She forced a small laugh.
"At least I'm honest."
Luca looked directly at her.
"No," he said calmly.
"You're desperate."
The word hit her like a slap.
Abi's face stiffened.
"You'll regret saying that," she replied quietly.
But Luca had already turned back to his desk.
"Leave."
Abi stood there for a moment, anger burning in her chest.
Then she walked out.
Her nails dug into her palms as she reached the hallway.
Fine.
If Luca refused to choose her willingly…
She would make sure Hazel was completely destroyed.
---
Across the city, in a quiet restaurant, another conversation was taking place.
Camilla sat across from a man in a dark suit.
Her expression was calm but dangerous.
"So," the man said, "you want information about the girl."
Camilla nodded.
"Everything."
The man slid a small file across the table.
"Hazel Hart."
Camilla opened it slowly.
Her lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"Oh…"
"This is going to be interesting."
---
Back at Valeria's house, Hazel sat quietly on the balcony.
The evening breeze was calm.
For the first time in days, she felt a small sense of peace.
Valeria joined her with two cups of tea.
"You look better," she said.
Hazel gave a faint smile.
"Your house is very peaceful."
Valeria sat beside her.
For a moment she studied Hazel carefully.
Then she spoke quietly.
"You know," she said, "sometimes the past has a way of catching up with us."
Hazel frowned slightly.
"I don't understand."
Valeria looked out toward the city lights.
"You will."
But not yet.
My lovelies 🥺💕
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