5 Stepping down as girlfriend
The sharp ring of the doorbell echoed through my apartment, pulling me from my thoughts as I brushed my hair. I glanced at my watch–it read 5:45 AM. Too early for any normal visit. Who on earth could it be at this hour?
“One second!” I called, securing my hair in a quick knot as I made my way to the door.
The security camera beside the door. displayed two men in dark suits, not your typical butler attire, but I recognized them instantly as Luca’s men. They were both holding small leather cases–something clearly more important than breakfast delivery.
“Miss Elena, Mr. Marcelli has sent us with a delivery,” one of them said, his head bowed in respect, his tone professional and clipped.
Of course, Luca. His control over every
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little detail of my life wasn‘ t just
suffocating–it was becoming unbearable. I hesitated for a second, weighing my
options. The last thing I wanted was to escalate this situation, but at the same time, Luca had to understand that I didn’t need him watching my every move.
“Tell him I’m not interested,” I said, reaching for my bag and slipping into my shoes.
The man blinked, caught off guard by my response, but I wasn’t finished. “And tell him to stop sending anyone–I’m fine. Always have been, always will be.”
I opened the door and stepped out. “I have somewhere to be. I’m sure he‘ 11
understand.”
The men exchanged quick glances but didn’t argue. As they turned away, I slipped them some cash. “For the trouble. Get yourselves something decent for breakfast.”
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One of the men cleared his throat. “Miss, we really shouldn’t-”
I cut him off with a wave of my hand,
“It’s fine. Just take it.”
Without waiting for a response, I hurried down the stairs and headed to work. The early morning air was crisp, and for a moment, I relished the freedom of being out of that apartment without Luca’s shadow looming over me.
The office was still in its early morning lull when I arrived, only a few of my colleagues scattered across the space, typing away or reviewing papers. It wasn‘ t much, but at least this place was mine–where Luca had no reach. For now, at least.
Benedict, my boss, was already immersed in his work, his sharp eyes scanning through documents. He didn’t
acknowledge me as I walked by, which was fine–I didn’t need more attention today. I
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settled at my desk and threw myself into work, determined to keep my mind off the morning‘ s events.
By 10 AM, my phone buzzed incessantly, signaling a flood of notifications. I flipped it off airplane mode, and Luca’s name popped up repeatedly.
Luca: [Did you receive the delivery?]
Luca: [Why did you send my men away?]
Luca: [Are we still fighting?]
6 missed calls from Luca
With a sigh, I moved to a quieter spot in the building and reluctantly answered his call.
“Why did you turn my men away, Elena?” Luca’s voice came through, controlled but tight with barely veiled frustration. If he were standing in front of me, I knew that look–eyes narrowed, jaw clenched.
“I told you, I didn’t need it,” I said
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simply, keeping my tone calm.
“You‘ re pushing me away for no
reason,
he growled. “I sent them to take
care of you. Why are you being so stubborn?”
I almost laughed. Stubborn? “Luca, I can take care of myself. I don‘ t need you. controlling every aspect of my life.”
There was a pause on the other end, and I could almost hear him pacing. “I‘ m
trying to make things easier for you, Elena. That’s all. We’ve been through this-”
I cut him off, my patience wearing thin. “Oh, right. Like how you were making things ‘easier when you started tossing out my things and pretending it was for my benefit?”
There was a heavy silence on his end. He knew exactly what I was talking about.
“I was looking out for you. Isobel needed help–she’s been through a lot.”
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I clenched my teeth. There it was again.
Isobel, Always Isobel. He could spin his excuses a thousand different ways, but it didn’t change the facts. Every time, she came first.
“Oh, I see. Poor Isobel, so delicate, so fragile. You had to feed her with my food, right?” The bitterness in my voice was impossible to hide.
“Elena, this isn’t about her.” His voice softened, but I wasn‘ t buying it.
“No, of course it’s not.” I shot back, the sarcasm biting. “It’s about you and your need to control everything around you.”
“Elena-” he started, but I wasn’t interested in hearing more.
“I’m done with this conversation. I’ve
got work to do.”
I hung up before he could respond and switched my phone back to airplane mode, cutting off any chance of Luca interrupting my day again.
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I made my way back to my desk, trying to shove the anger deep down. But as I sat there, the memories from months ago resurfaced.
I had walked into Luca‘ s penthouse one afternoon, bringing him lunch because I knew how he skipped meals during work. Only, when I arrived, Isobel was sitting at the dining table, happily devouring the food I had made for him. Luca hadn’t even glanced at me, too focused on his endless business calls.
“Thanks, Elena! This is amazing!” Isobel had chirped between bites. “If Luca doesn‘ t want this, I’ll gladly take it.”
That was the moment I knew–I was always going to be second to her.
Hours later, my concentration shattered. when Sandro, Luca‘ s trusted lieutenant, called me.
“Elena,” his voice was low, almost
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cautious, “you need to meet me at the club. Luca’s not happy about how things. are going.”
Of course, he’s not. I thought bitterly.
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
I hung up, knowing this confrontation with Luca was inevitable. Whether I liked it or not, in this world, no one truly walked away from a man like Luca Marcelli.
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