"And they'll never hurt you because of it." She didn't know what to say, so she just whispered, "Thank you." He reached across the table, fingers brushing hers. You don't thank a man for breathing. You just breathe with him.
The words settled between them like a promise. Hours later, the senator's press conference aired live. Bennett denied everything, voice trembling, eyes darting off camera. He blamed deep fakes, fabrication, the criminal underworld. Then, at the perfect moment, halfway through his speech, another video dropped.
Not from Marco, from one of Olivia's own friends, who decided to save herself. Footage from another party, another waitress, another humiliation. It was over. The Bennetts vanished from the news cycle in 24 hours. Olivia's social media accounts disappeared, sponsors withdrew, the campaign collapsed.
Lisa sat on the couch, speechless, staring at the screen. "It's done," Marco said. She turned to him. "You really did it." He looked at her, eyes soft now, the storm gone.
"No." We did. She smiled weakly. You're going to make me believe in you, you know that. He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Good." For the first time since the night in the diner, Lisa exhaled without shaking. But as Marco pulled her close and kissed the top of her head, she didn't see the message lighting up on Luca's phone in the hallway. They know about the girl. Her ex just called.
Says he's coming. The world had finally gone quiet. For the first time in days, there were no flashing headlines, no calls from reporters, no messages full of threats or pity. Lisa thought she could breathe again. She was wrong.
It was just after 9:00 in the evening. The city glowed outside Marco's penthouse windows. Endless lights reflecting off the glass. The hum of traffic far below. She was curled on the couch, wrapped in one of his gray sweaters, trying to convince herself she still belonged to her old life somehow.
Then came the knock. Hard, angry, familiar. Lisa froze. The sound cut straight through her chest like a blade. Marco was still in his office, speaking quietly with Luca about Bennett's final collapse.
She stood, hesitating. Another knock, louder this time. "Lisa!" A man's voice shouted from the hall. Her stomach dropped.
No, not here, not him. She crossed to the door, heart hammering. "Derek?" She whispered through the wood. "Open up, the voice slurred.
You think you can hide from me now? Her pulse went wild. "You need to leave." Not until we talk, he yelled, fists pounding again. You think you're better than me now?
You think you can disappear and shack up with some rich bastard? Lisa stumbled back as the lock clicked. Marco's lock, secure and heavy. Derek didn't care. He slammed his shoulder into the door once, twice, then it opened from the inside.