EIGHTY ONE

Monica stood close by, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched Olivia helplessly. Clutching her hands tightly, she prayed silently and hoped that everything would be fine.

“Are you pregnant?” One of the nurses asked her.

Olivia nodded her head slowly, her face and evident of the pain she felt.

“We need to get her to the maternity ward for further observation,” The nurse said to her colleague. Then turning to Olivia she added, “You're going to be okay Miss Carter. We’re just going to take you to get checked alright.”

Olivia nodded, “Please, my baby….I don't want to loose my baby.” Olivia pleaded to the nurses.

As the nurses prepared to wheel Olivia to the maternity ward, Monica stepped back, her eyes following her friend, with a mix of fear and helplessness.

Monica returned to ICU , her heart ached as she looked down at Vincent, “Please, Vincent,” she whispered her voice cracking with emotions. “You have to wake up. We need you…I need you….” Her words trailed off in a soft sob as she took his hand, hoping he could hear her.

…….🌵

Marco sat in his office, deep in thought as he died on a glass of whiskey. A knock on the door, diverted his attention, he glanced up, obviously not pleased with the interruption. “What is it?”

The door cracked open and one of his men stepped inside, “Boss, there’s something you need to know.”

Mar o narrowed his eyes, sensing the unease in the man’s voice, “Spit it out.”

The men hesitated, then blurted, “Its Lucas…..they said he’s dead. Fell into the water and they can't find his body.”

For a moment Marco just stared, the words not fully sinking in, “Dead? Lucas?” It seemed too good to be true. “And Vincent?” He asked, his voice carefully controlled.

“Critical condition, he’s in the hospital, not expected to make it.”

A slow smile spread across Marco's face, one that didn't reach his eyes. “Lucas dead…. and Vincent out of the picture.” He leaned back in his chair, the weight of the news settling in. “Interesting.”

He looked at the man who had delivered the news, narrowing his eyes, “Lucas cas was meeting with Dominique today. What do you know about that?”

The man shifted on his feet, uneasy. “Dominique is dead too, Boss. Word is, he didn't make it out of the meeting either, it all went South.”

Marco’s eyes widened slightly, his mind racing. Domnique was dead? He had expected Dominique to be behind all these.

“Are you sure?” Marco pressed, his voice sharp. “Dominique is really dead?”

The man nodded, “That's what I've heard. No one seen him since the meeting, and his body was found near the docks.”

“Keep your eyes on the ground.” Marco ordered, his voice cold. “I want to know everything that's happening. And make sure Olivia is watched, I don't want her making any moves without us knowing.”

The man nodded curtly in response.

Marco rubbed his temple gently, processing the information, “You can leave now.” He said, dismissing the man.

His leg throbbed m, as the man left the office, the winced in pain, as he reached out to the cabinet on the table and pulled out tmhis drug. He looked at his leg, a constant reminder of his last encounter with Lucas, leaving him with this damn walking stick.

He had always lived in Lucas's shadow, always the lesser Moretti. But if Lucas was truly dead, than everything was about to change.

Uncertainty flickered Marco's chest. If someone else was pulling the strings, someone he wasn't aware of, it could mean trouble. But it could also mean an opportunity to seize power while everyone else scrambled to figure out what's going on.

His thoughts were interrupted by another knock, this time softer, “Come in.” He ordered, already knowing who it was.

Mia stepped inside, her eyes searching his face. “Is it true?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Is Lucas really dead?”

Marco didn't answer immadietly, instead taking a long, slow sip of his whiskey. “That’s what they’re saying, body is lost in the water, and Vincent’s on his deathbed.”

Marco glanced at her noting the mixture of relief and sorrow in her eyes. She had not forgiven Olivia for coming between she and Lucas.

Mia let out a slow breath, sinking into the chair opposite him, her eyes narrowing, as she turned her thoughts to Olivia, “And what about Olivia? She must be devastated, Lucas is dead, Vincent in the hospital….I bet she’s falling apart.”

Marco’s lips curled in disdain, “I hope she is. That woman has caused nothing but trouble for me, for us. She's the reason everything went hell.”

Mia’s expression darkened, her hands balling into fists at her sides, “She took everything from me, Marco. Lucas was supposed to be mine. We were suppose to have a future together, and she ruined it.”

The venom in her voice, matched the hatred Marco felt in his own heart. “Don't worry Mia, this isn't over. If Lucas is really dead, then everything he had, everything he built , will be up for grabs.And we'll take what's rightfully ours. Olivia might think she’s safe now, but she’s got another thing coming. Without Lucas she’s vulnerable. And I plan to take full advantage of that.”

Mia’s lips curled into a cold smile, “She deserves to suffer, after what she did to us. I want to see her lose everything Marco.”

Marco reached across the desk, taking Mia's hand in his, “She will. But we need to be careful, we need to confirm if Lucas is really dead, we have to move carefully, make sure we don't get get caught up in the chaos.”

Mia looked up at him, her eyes shining with a mixture of anger and anticipation. “But what about us? What happens now?”

Marco's eyes glinted with cold determination, “We wait, we see what unfolds. If Lucas is truly gone, then we make our move. We take control, and we make sure Olivia pays for what she’s done. She’ll regret ever crossing my path …our path.”