Chapter 117: The Calm Before the Storm

The room seemed to close in around them as Luca and Ethan lay together on the bed, the silence between them heavy with unspoken fears. Luca's arm was wrapped protectively around Ethan's waist, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on his skin. They had stolen this moment of peace, but the lingering threat outside the door made it feel fragile, like it could shatter at any second.

"I don't like hiding like this," Ethan confessed, his voice soft and strained. He looked up at Luca, his expression conflicted. "It feels like we're living on borrowed time."

Luca's jaw tightened as he stared at the ceiling, his other hand resting on Ethan's chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. "I know," he admitted quietly. "But right now, it's the only way. If Darren knew, he'd…" Luca trailed off, unable to bring himself to say what they both knew Darren was capable of.

Ethan swallowed hard, his throat tightening with a mix of fear and frustration. "What if we just told him?" he whispered, the idea escaping his lips almost as a plea. "Maybe he wouldn't react the way we think he would."

Luca turned his gaze to Ethan, the seriousness in his eyes unyielding. "We both know that's not true," he replied, his tone laced with a protective edge. "Darren has always been possessive and controlling. He'd never understand… or forgive us."

Ethan bit his lip, feeling the weight of Luca's words sinking into him. It was true; Darren had never been one to back down when it came to getting what he wanted. There was a darkness in him that Ethan had always felt uneasy about, and the thought of facing his wrath sent shivers through him.

"Then what do we do?" Ethan asked, his voice cracking. "How long can we keep living like this—sneaking around, keeping secrets?"

Luca tightened his hold on Ethan, pulling him closer. "We'll figure it out," he promised, his voice fierce with determination. "I'll protect you, Ethan. No matter what it takes." His words were filled with conviction, but there was a hint of desperation that didn't go unnoticed.

Ethan sighed and buried his face in Luca's chest, feeling the warmth of his skin and the steady rise and fall of his breath. "I just don't want to lose you," he whispered, his voice muffled against Luca's body.

"You won't," Luca murmured, running his fingers through Ethan's hair in a soothing motion. "I'm not going anywhere."

For now, it was enough to believe in Luca's words, to find solace in the warmth of his embrace. But as Ethan closed his eyes, he couldn't help but wonder how much longer they could keep their secret hidden. Because the calm they shared now felt like the eerie silence that came before the storm—before everything came crashing down.

Outside, the faint sound of footsteps echoed down the hall, reminding them that the world wasn't going to wait for them to figure things out. The tension in the air was palpable, and the unspoken fears between them loomed like a dark shadow, waiting for its moment to strike.

End of Chapter 117

To Be Continued...