Lisa's POV
It had been three days since Noha told me about the Rivoli family. Three days since the air had thickened with tension and the feeling that something terrible was coming.
Despite his insistence that I stay inside the house, I couldn't help but feel restless. I couldn't shake the feeling that Noha was hiding something from me. There were times when I caught glimpses of him slipping away, his eyes clouded with thoughts I couldn't reach.
I wanted to understand what was going on in his mind, but every time I tried to ask, he pulled away. And each time, I felt more alone.
Noha's POV
I couldn't let her get too close. Not now. Not when I was planning my next move. Not when I had to deal with the threats closing in on me.
The Rivoli family wasn't just any enemy. They were ruthless, cunning, and they had no problem using whatever means necessary to get what they wanted. I had been in this game for years, but this time felt different. This time, the stakes were too high.
I had to make sure Lisa was safe, even if it meant pushing her away. Even if it meant pretending everything was fine when it wasn't.
Lisa's POV
The house had never felt so quiet. Noha was gone most of the day, and when he was home, he was distant, his eyes constantly scanning the room like he was waiting for something to happen. The tension between us was thick, and no matter how many times I tried to reach out to him, it felt like he was slipping further away.
I had tried to talk to him about it, to ask him what was really going on, but he always brushed me off. "It's nothing," he would say, or "Don't worry about it." But I wasn't stupid. I knew something was wrong.
Noha's POV
I watched Lisa from across the room, my heart aching. I hated this. I hated lying to her. But I couldn't let her get involved in this mess. She was too innocent, too pure for this world.
I had told myself I wouldn't drag her deeper into my chaos, but the truth was, I couldn't keep her out of it forever. The Rivoli family was coming for me, and I needed to be ready. I needed her to stay out of harm's way.
But every time I looked at her, I saw the fear in her eyes. The fear of being abandoned. Of being left in the dark. And it killed me.
Lisa's POV
It was late when I finally decided to confront him. Noha had been pacing the living room, his movements sharp and tense, like he was waiting for something to happen. I had enough of pretending everything was fine.
"Noha," I said, my voice firm as I stepped into the room. "We need to talk."
He didn't look up at first, but when he finally did, his eyes were hard, like he was expecting this.
"Not now, Lisa," he muttered, turning away from me.
I crossed the room in two strides, standing in front of him. "No, now," I insisted, my voice shaking with frustration. "I can't do this anymore. I can't keep pretending that everything is okay when I know it's not."
He stared at me for a long moment, his jaw tight. I could see the battle in his eyes—whether to keep me in the dark or to let me in.
Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. "Lisa, I'm trying to protect you. From everything."
"From what? Noha, I don't want to be protected like this," I said, my heart pounding. "I'm not a child. I can handle things. Just tell me the truth."
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, with a voice thick with emotion, he spoke.
"The Rivoli family—they're planning something big. They've been making moves to take me down. They think they can take my position, my power. And they'll stop at nothing to get it."
I swallowed hard, trying to process his words. The danger was real. It was more real than I had ever imagined.
"But why didn't you tell me?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Noha's eyes softened, his hand reaching out to gently take mine. "Because I didn't want you to get caught in the crossfire. I couldn't bear the thought of you being hurt because of me. You mean more to me than anything in this world, Lisa. I can't lose you."
Tears stung my eyes, and I squeezed his hand tightly, my heart breaking for him. "You won't lose me, Noha. I'm not going anywhere."
Noha's POV
Her words hit me like a blow to the chest. She wasn't afraid. She wasn't running. She was staying.
And that was the last thing I wanted. I wanted to protect her, but at what cost? How could I keep her safe when the world around us was so dangerous?
I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her tightly. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I should have told you sooner. I shouldn't have pushed you away."
"It's okay," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding. "We'll get through this together."
For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could survive this. Together.
Lisa's POV
The weight of Noha's confession sank in, but somehow, the fear that had gripped me earlier began to ease. I wasn't afraid of the mafia. I wasn't afraid of the Rivoli family. I was afraid of losing Noha. Of losing him before we even had a chance to start something real.
But we still had time. We still had each other. And I wasn't going to let go. Not now. Not ever.
Noha's POV
I knew the road ahead wasn't going to be easy. The Rivoli family was ruthless, and the danger wasn't over. But I also knew that I wasn't alone anymore. Lisa was with me, and together, we could face whatever came next.
No more secrets. No more lies.
We were in this together.