The betrayal hit like a thunderclap, leaving Elena reeling. Her heart raced, and her mind struggled to process the sudden turn of events. Teresa's sly smile faded, replaced by a steely determination as she moved with surprising agility, revealing a side of herself that Elena had never seen before.
"Teresa, why?" Elena's voice trembled, a mix of shock and betrayal evident in her tone. "We trusted you. I trusted you."
Teresa's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing as she brandished the knife with a confidence that sent a chill down Elena's spine. "Trust is a dangerous thing, Elena. You should have known better. I'm doing what I have to do to survive."
Luca clutched his arm, blood seeping through his fingers. He winced but kept his eyes locked on Teresa. "You're working with them, aren't you? You led us right into their trap."
Teresa chuckled, a dark, humorless sound. "You're not as sharp as I thought, Luca. But yes, I am. And you made it all too easy." Her gaze flicked to Elena. "Especially you, dear. So naive. So eager to play the hero."
Elena's mind raced, replaying the events of the last few hours. How could she have missed the signs? Teresa had been so convincing, her fear so real—or so it had seemed. "You used us," she said, her voice low, trying to buy time, to think of a way out. "Why? What do they have on you?"
Teresa's eyes flickered with something that almost looked like regret. "You wouldn't understand. You have no idea what it's like, living in their shadow. They own everything—everyone. There was never any choice for me."
Luca's jaw clenched. "We all have choices, Teresa. You chose to betray us."
For a moment, a flicker of guilt crossed Teresa's face, but it vanished as quickly as it came. "Maybe I did," she admitted, her voice softer. "But I'm not going down with you. I've done what I had to do to survive, just like you two will have to do now."
Suddenly, the forest around them erupted with movement. Giovanni and his men appeared, weapons drawn, encircling them. Elena's heart sank. They were outnumbered, and Teresa was clearly working with them. The odds were stacked against them.
Giovanni stepped forward, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Well done, Teresa," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "I knew I could count on you."
Teresa nodded curtly, not meeting his eyes. "Just take the letter and let me go," she demanded. "That was the deal."
Giovanni's smile widened. "Ah, the deal. Of course." He gestured, and one of his men stepped forward, hand extended toward Elena. "Hand it over," he ordered, his voice cold and commanding.
Elena's grip tightened on the letter. She glanced at Luca, whose face was pale from blood loss but still filled with defiance. "We can't give it to them," he whispered. "It's the only leverage we have."
Elena swallowed hard. She knew he was right, but they were running out of options. Teresa watched them, her expression unreadable, and for a moment, Elena thought she saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Could there still be a shred of humanity left in her?
Before she could dwell on it, Giovanni's patience snapped. "Enough!" he barked. "If you won't hand it over willingly, we'll take it by force."
Luca straightened, his posture tense. "You can try," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Giovanni laughed. "Brave words for a man who's bleeding out."
In a sudden, fluid motion, Luca lunged, catching Giovanni off guard. He knocked the gun out of Giovanni's hand, sending it skidding across the ground. Chaos erupted as Giovanni's men moved to subdue Luca, who fought with the strength of a man with nothing left to lose.
"Run!" Luca shouted to Elena, his voice strained. "Get out of here! Now!"
Elena hesitated, torn between fleeing and staying to help him. But the look in Luca's eyes was clear—this was her chance. Her only chance.
With a last, desperate glance at Luca, Elena turned and ran, the letter clutched tightly in her hand. She darted through the trees, branches clawing at her clothes and face, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She didn't know where she was going, only that she needed to get away, to put as much distance as possible between herself and the danger behind her.
As she ran, she heard the sounds of struggle fading, but her heart remained in her throat. She couldn't stop, couldn't think. All she knew was that she had to keep moving, had to keep running.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the darkness, grabbing her arm and yanking her to a halt. Elena screamed, her instincts telling her to fight, but when she turned, she saw a familiar face—Isabella.
"Elena," Isabella whispered urgently. "It's me. Calm down. You're safe now."
Elena blinked, her mind struggling to process what was happening. "Isabella? What are you doing here?"
Isabella's eyes were wide with fear and determination. "I've been following you. I saw everything. We need to go—now. Giovanni's men won't stop until they have that letter."
Elena nodded, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. "Luca—he's still back there. They'll kill him."
Isabella's face softened with sympathy. "I know. But there's nothing we can do for him now. We have to get you out of here. You have the letter, and that's what matters."
Elena's heart ached with the weight of her decision, but she knew Isabella was right. Luca had sacrificed himself to give her a chance, and she couldn't waste it. "Okay," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Let's go."
They moved quickly, keeping low and sticking to the shadows. As they ran, Elena couldn't help but glance back, her heart breaking with each step. She prayed that Luca would somehow make it out alive, that they would see each other again. But deep down, she knew the odds were slim.
Isabella led her through the forest with the precision of someone who knew the terrain well. Elena followed, her mind racing with questions. "How did you know where to find us?" she asked, her voice hushed.
Isabella's expression was tense. "I've been keeping an eye on you ever since you arrived at the villa. I had a feeling something like this would happen. I just didn't know when or where."
Elena felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly. "For everything."
Isabella nodded but didn't slow her pace. "Don't thank me yet. We're not out of this mess. Not by a long shot."
As they ran, Elena's thoughts turned to Teresa. She still couldn't believe the maid had betrayed them so completely. "Do you think Teresa will—" she started, but Isabella cut her off.
"She's made her choice," Isabella said firmly. "And now we have to make ours. We have to focus on getting you to safety."
Elena nodded, her mind clearing with every step. She had been played, deceived by someone she thought she could trust. But she wouldn't let it happen again. She would be stronger, smarter. She would survive.
They continued through the forest, moving deeper into the shadows. Elena could feel the weight of the letter in her pocket, a constant reminder of the danger they were still in. But for now, she had a new ally, and a new chance to make things right.
And she wouldn't waste it.
