mafia boss and his bride

The Wall Between Us

Chapter 14: The Wall Between Us

On the ride back, no one spoke. Lila was safe, resting in the car with a medic, but Elara’s mind was racing. She’d planned to tell him—eventually, when she was sure he’d listen. But now Marco had planted the seed, and every sharp word she’d ever said, every time she’d pushed him away, every secret she’d kept… it all looked like proof.

When they reached the manor, Killian walked straight to his office, not waiting for her. Elara followed, closing the door behind them.

“Are you going to tell me what he meant?” he asked, not turning around. His voice was quiet, not angry—but worse. Hurt.

“I came here to find answers about my mother,” Elara said, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat. “She disappeared seven years ago. Everyone said she was part of this syndicate—said she was the Architect who built half your network. I needed to know the truth. I needed to know what happened to her.”

Killian turned slowly. “So all this time? Working late nights, questioning every order, pushing back on every rule… you weren’t trying to make this place better. You were just using us.”

“I wasn’t using you!” Elara stepped forward, desperate to make him see. “I stayed because I believed in what you were trying to build. I stayed because you’re not the monster everyone says you are. I stayed because—” She stopped short, the words hanging heavy between them.

“Because what?” Killian pressed, his jaw tight. “Say it, Elara. Or don’t say anything at all.”

“Because I fell for you, you i***t!” she snapped, tears finally spilling over. “And I’ve been terrified this whole time that if you knew why I came, you’d never look at me the same way again.”

For a long moment, he just stared at her. Then he stepped closer—slowly, like he was afraid she’d run. “You should have told me. Secrets burn bridges faster than any enemy ever could.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”

Before he could reply, Elias banged on the door. “Boss—we found something. You need to see this.”

TO BE CONTINUED...