NINETY ONE

Chapter 91

Lucas, disguised in a nondescript baseball cap and scruffy beards, slipped quietly into the ICU where Vincent lay motionless. He glanced around making sure no one had followed him.

He walked closer to Vincent bedside, his eyes scanning over the tubes and wires connected to Vincent's body. Lucas leaned in,“Vincent, it's me. I know you can't hear me, but I need you to fight. We’re not done yet.” He said, his voice barely audible.

As Lucas spoke, he gently placed his hand on Vincent's, his grip firm and reassuring. There was a long silence, just the beep of machines. Lucas could feel the weight of everything pressing down on him.

Then out of nowhere, he felt it - a faint movement beneath his fingers. Lucas stood still, his gaze shifting to Vincent's hand.

His heart skipped a beat as he watched Vincent’s fingers fidget slightly, but enough to send a shockwave through him.

“Vincent?” Lucas whispered, his eyes wide with the feeling hope. He watched intently, waiting to see if it would happen again. Vincent’s hand moved again, it was real.

Without wasting any second, Lucas pressed the button to alert the medical staff. He couldn't afford to stay any longer. He took one look at his friend, squeezing his hand gently before pulling away. “Stay strong, Vincent. I’ll be back.”

Lucas slipped out of the room just as the nurses rushed in, their attention focused entirely on Vincent. He kept his head down , moving swiftly through the hospital corridors until he was out of sight.

Inside, the doctors were huddled around Vincent, checking his vitals and monitoring his condition. One of them spoke into the intercom, urgently calling for more staff to assist. “We’ve got movement - he's responding. Prepare for immediate assessment.”

As they worked on Vincent, Lucas disappeared into the night, his heart pounding.

….🌵

James was still in his hotel room with Monica and Olivia, when his phone rang, he checked ked the callers ID it was the detective. With a sigh James picked the call.


“Mr Moretti, this is detective Larson with NYDP, we need to inform you that Marco Moretti was found in his mansion .”

James glanced at Olivia and Monica, who had been watching him intently, “dead?” His voice was steady, How is that possible,m? How did it happen?”

“It appears to be a suicide, but we’re still investigating. We found him in the study with a gunshot wound on his head. We’re calling because you currently reported that Marco kidnapped Olivia Carter, who managed to escape. We need to confirm some details with you.”

James was silent for a moment, processing the information. How did Marco just end his life, just like that. “Of course,” James finally replied. “I’ll cooperate with whatever you need, but this is unexpected.”

After a brief conversation with the detective, James hung up the phone. Shifting his gaze to Monica and Olivia, “ Marco is dead.” He finally delivered the news to them.

Monica’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief, “Dead? How?”

“The police are saying it was a suicide, they found him in his study this morning.”

Olivia started, in disbelief, her eyes red and swollen, “It's unbelievable.” She said, her voice hoarsely. How could it have happened? Marco couldn't possibly take his own life?”

James nodded in agreement to what Olivia said

Monica said, her hand resting on Olivia’s shoulder, “So you think someone is involved.”

“James sighed, leaning back on his chair, “I don't know. But Marco wasn't the type to go out like that. But if some one else did this, they knew how to make it look like a suicide.”

Olivia shuddered at the thought, “If that's the case, then who could have done it?”

James shook his head, “I don't know, But right now what matters most is that you’re safe, Olivia. Marco is gone, and he can't hurt you anymore.”

Olivia nodded, though the unease in her voice, “Thank you James, For everything.”

Monica squeezed Olivia's hand again, offering a small reassuring smile, “We’re here for you Liv. We will get through this together.”

James stood up, pacing the room as he thought. “I’m going to keep pressing the police for answers. Marco's death might solve one problem, but it raises a lot of new questions. I hope we're prepared for what comes next. We really need to be careful.”

James placed the room, his mind still whirling with the news of Marco's death. The news was supposed to bring relief, but instead, it left a void of unanswered questions.

Monica broke the silence, her voice hesitant. “James, do you think…..Lucas could be involved in any of this?”

James paused mid-step, turning to face her. The mention of Lucas' sent shivers down Olivia's spine. She tried to push the thought out of her mind, but it was impossible.

James exhaled slowly, “I’ve been wondering the same thing. If Lucas is alive….it changes everything. But if he is, why hasn't he contacted us? Why hasn't he come for Olivia?”

Olivia but her lips trying to steady her emotions, “If Lucas is alive……maybe he has a reason for staying hidden. Maybe he’s watching over us in his own way.”

Monica nodded, but her eyes remained filled with doubt, “But how long can we live like this, not knowing? Not knowing who to trust or what comes next.”

For a moment , the room seemed to spin in Olivia's eyes, she felt a wave of dizziness and she clutched the back of the couch for support. Monica held her tightly, “Liv, are you okay?”

“I…” Olivia started, but her voice shattered as her vision blurred. The stress, the exhaustion, everything she had been holding for so long, suddenly overwhelmed her, her knees but kled but before she could say another word, she collapsed into Monica's arms.

“Olivia!” Monica cried out, struggling to support her as she gently lowered her on the floor.

James rushed over, panic setting in. “Olivia! Olivia!!” He called.

Monica quickly checked her pulse, her voice shaking. “She’s breathing , but we need to get her to the hospital, James! Now!”