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"Take him from you? Jasmine, he's not yours to be taken from. Where is he, Jasmine?" she demands, her voice sharp with authority.
"Even if I knew," I reply, struggling to keep my emotions in check, "I wouldn't tell you. He doesn't deserve prison for defending himself."
Elena's eyes narrow, and I can see her weighing the consequences of my defiance. She may be my handler, but we've also been friends for years, and I know she doesn't want to hurt me.
"Jasmine," she says softly, "you're putting yourself in so much danger by protecting him. He's a mafia don, regardless of his motives. That world will destroy you."
I swallow hard, feeling the weight of her words. But the love I have for Dario won't allow me to abandon him. My mind races with images of our stolen moments together – the passion, the tenderness, and the promise of a future where we could leave all this chaos behind.
"I don't care about the danger," I whisper fiercely.
"Jasmine, think about what you're saying!" Elena exclaims, her eyes pleading with me. "If you help Dario escape, you'll become a target too. You're not just risking your own life; you're risking everything we've worked for."
The sirens in the distance grow louder, and I know we're running out of time. Fear tightens its grip around my chest, but I don't let it control me. Instead, I find strength in my love for Dario and my determination to protect him.
"Maybe," I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "But I've made my choice, Elena. I can't turn my back on him now."
Elena stares at me, her eyes filled with sadness as she realizes that there's no changing my mind. She takes a deep breath, and then she does something that surprises both of us: she hugs me tightly.
"Jasmine, please. You've worked so hard. Just give him up."
"Wait, Elena," I say before she can pull away. My voice is shaky now, fear and anticipation swirling within me like a storm. "There's one more thing you need to know."
Elena pulls back and looks at me expectantly, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. I take a deep breath, gathering the courage to reveal my deepest secret.
"I'm pregnant," I confess, meeting her gaze, my voice barely audible. "Dario's child is growing inside me. That's why I have to be by his side."
Elena's eyes widen in shock, but for a moment, there's no judgment or anger in her expression, only genuine surprise. She takes a step back, processing the news. I see the wheels turning in her head as she tries to make sense of my decision.
"Jasmine..." she starts, her voice heavy with worry. "I care about you, but I can't turn a blind eye to what he's done." Elena wipes away a stray tear that escapes from her eye. "This path you're choosing… it could lead to tragedy for both you and your child."
I nod, fully aware of the risks that come with loving someone like Dario. But I cannot deny the love we share or ignore the life growing inside of me. My mind races, thinking about our child together – a symbol of our love, a beacon of hope in this dark world.
"Believe me, Elena, I know the consequences all too well," I admit, my voice firm despite the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. "But I also know that Dario would do anything to protect our family, and I would do the same for him."
Elena stares at me, her eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt or hesitation. She must see the unwavering conviction in my gaze, because she sighs heavily, the weight of her concern for me evident in that single exhale.
"Maybe," I admit, swallowing hard. "But I have to trust my heart, Elena. And my heart tells me that Dario is worth risking everything for." I place a hand over my belly, feeling the warmth beneath my fingertips. "We'll make it work. Somehow, we will."
Elena stares at me for a moment longer before letting out a deep, shuddering breath. "Alright, Jasmine," she concedes, her voice barely a whisper. "I can see there's no changing your mind. You have five minutes. That's all I can give you before I have to call in the force to look for both of you."
"Thank you, Elena," I say, my gratitude evident in my tone. The weight of her decision must be enormous, but she's doing it out of love and friendship.
"Take care of yourself, Jasmine. And take care of your child," she adds, her voice thick with emotion. "I only hope you're right about Dario."
"Me too," I whisper, tears finally spilling down my cheeks. With a final nod to Elena, I turn and disappear into the darkness of the night, determined to reunite with Dario and protect our family at all costs.
Chapter 46
Reunion
Dario
I sprint through the gardens outside the burning mansion, my heart pounding in my chest as fear and adrenaline course through my veins. Out of breath, I desperately search for a safe place to hide from the chaos that has erupted around me.
The once-grand estate is now an inferno, its flames casting sinister shadows on the grounds where I used to play as a child.
"Damn it," I curse under my breath, choking on the thick smoke that fills the air. People shout and scream all around me, their voices drowned out by the crackling fire and shattering glass. Chaos reigns while I weave between panicked mafioso, hired help, and soldiers trying to keep order and save whatever they can.
