Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Adrian stood there with his arms akimbo. His eyes were fixed on Lucia, cold and expectant, waiting for her to explain herself. The silence between them was deafening, and every second that passed made it harder for her to breathe.

Lucia opened her mouth, tried to speak, but nothing came out. Her throat felt locked, and her chest tight. Her hands moved restlessly as she pointed at the warehouse, at the ground, at the shadows that refused to tell her story. “They were here,” she wanted to say, but her voice broke before it even formed. Her mind screamed the words, but her lips couldn’t find them.

Adrian just stared at her — that same steady, unreadable stare — with his patience thinning. The muscles in his face tightened as she gestured helplessly at the empty yard. He looked around too, scanning the place as if to humor her one last time, but the warehouse was dead quiet. No movement, no trace of anything she claimed had been there.

Finally, he exhaled sharply, the sound cutting through the silence like a blade. “Enough,” he growled low, his voice laced heavy with anger.

Lucia flinched at the tone.

“Let’s go,” he said flatly, turning back toward the car. His footsteps were fast, didn't even wait for her to say a word. The crunch of gravel under his shoes echoing in the hollow night.

Lucia followed, her voice trembling. “Please, Mr. Adrian, I’m not lying—”

He didn’t stop walking. “Not now.”

“Just listen—”

“I said not now, Lucia.”

The words were final, with a tone sharp enough to slice through her desperation. Her chest burned with frustration and fear. She wanted to scream, to drag him back to the warehouse and force him to see what she had seen, but the emptiness behind those locked gates mocked her.

She fell silent, her steps slower as she followed him to the car.

Adrian opened the driver’s door and got in without another word. The slam of the door made her jump.

Lucia hesitated for a moment before sliding into the passenger seat. Her palms were cold, and her pulse hammering in her ears. She turned toward him, wanting to say something — anything — but the look on his face silenced her, his eyes fixed on the dark road ahead.

The engine started with a growl, and they pulled away from the warehouse in silence.

The drive back felt longer than it should have. The night stretched endlessly, the city lights flickering in and out of the windshield as they passed through the empty streets. The tension in the car was suffocating — heavy and brittle, like glass about to crack.

Lucia stared out the window, watching the blur of lights and shadows. Her thoughts were a mess. Every image of the warehouse replayed in her head — the boxes, the labels, the men moving the crates, Rico standing there like he owned the place. She could still smell the dust and oil, still hear the echo of voices in that space. It was real. She knew it was real.

But it was gone.

Just gone.

She pressed her trembling fingers to her forehead, trying to make sense of it. How could everything disappear so quickly? How could someone clear out an entire warehouse in just a few hours — and so cleanly that even Adrian couldn’t find a trace?

Beside her, Adrian said nothing. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes focused ahead. His face was calm, but Lucia knew that look — it wasn’t calmness. It was restrained anger. Disappointment. Maybe even suspicion.

She turned toward him. “I swear I saw it,” she whispered. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Adrian’s eyes didn’t leave the road. “Lucia.”

She swallowed. “Yes?”

“Don’t.”

That one word silenced her again. She bit her lip and turned back to the window. Her chest ached. She could feel the distance between them — not just physical, but something else like the trust he once had for her was breaking.

By the time they reached the office building, the silence had hardened into something unbreakable. Adrian parked the car and got out immediately.

Lucia followed, but slower this time. The bright lights of the office felt too harsh after the dark emptiness of the warehouse. Her shoes clicked softly against the marble floor as she trailed behind him. Adrian didn’t say a word as he walked straight to his office with quick and clipped movements.

He opened the door, stepped in, and she followed without asking.

The air inside was cold. The faint hum of the air conditioner filled the room, the only sound breaking the tension that hung between them.

Adrian went behind his desk, dropped his keys, and leaned his hands on the surface,turning his back to her.

Lucia stood by the door, unsure if she should speak. But the silence was unbearable.

“I’m sorry,” she said finally, her voice shaking.

Adrian didn’t move.

“I didn’t mean to waste your time,” she continued, stepping forward. “I swear I saw them — Rico, the goods, everything. I just don’t understand what’s happening. Maybe someone moved them, maybe—”

“Lucia.”

Her voice died instantly.

Adrian straightened slowly and turned around. His face wasn’t angry this time. It was something worse — tired, restrained, deeply disappointed.

“I’ve tried to be patient with you,” he said, his tone even but firm. “I really have.”

“I know,” she said quickly, her eyes welling up. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

He raised a hand, stopping her. “Please. Just listen.”

Lucia bit her lip, nodding.

Adrian exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You’ve been through a lot, Lucia. I know that. The accident, the coma, losing Miguel… it’s a lot for anyone to handle.”

Her chest tightened at the mention of her brother’s name.

He continued with a voice softer now. “But I think all of that has taken a toll on you. Maybe more than you realize. I don’t doubt that you believe what you saw — but I think you’re confused. You might be remembering things wrong. Imagining them.”

Lucia’s eyes widened. “No.”

Adrian’s expression didn’t change. “I’m saying this because I care. Because I don’t want to see you lose yourself to something that isn’t real.”

“I’m not imagining it!” she said suddenly, her voice cracking. “I saw him, Mr Adrian! I saw Rico, and the same Di Santi boxes. The same shipment you just approved. I saw everything!”

He sighed, patient but firm. “Lucia—”

“You think I’m crazy?” she demanded. “You think I made it all up?”

Adrian’s gaze softened just slightly. “I think the accident and the coma—”

“Don’t,” she said, her voice trembling. “Don’t use that as an excuse.”

“Lucia—”

“No!” She stepped closer, her hands shaking. “You think because I was in a coma, I can’t tell what’s real anymore? You think I can’t see what’s right in front of me?”

He hesitated, watching her carefully. “I think you’re still healing. And maybe that’s clouding things. You need rest, Lucia. You’re overworking yourself.”

She took another step forward, her voice breaking. “I don’t need rest. I need you to believe me.”

Adrian’s tone hardened again. “Enough.”

The word hit her like a slap.

He straightened his back, his eyes sharper now. “You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Don’t let your brother’s death or your anger at Rico make you see things that aren’t there. You’re convinced Rico has something to do with what happened — and maybe that’s making you imagine things.”

Lucia’s breath caught. “Imagine?” she repeated, her voice hollow.

“Lucia, listen—”

Her hand slammed down on the desk before he could finish. The sound echoed through the office, sharp and loud. Adrian flinched, his eyes flicking up to hers.

Lucia’s voice came out low, raw, trembling with rage. “I know what I saw.”

Her fists were clenched, her eyes glassy with tears. “Don’t you dare tell me it’s in my head.”

Adrian stared at her for a moment — not angry, but startled. The emotion in her voice, the fire in her eyes — it cut through him.

Then, without warning, her anger broke. Her shoulders sagged, her hands trembling as tears streamed down her face. “Please,” she whispered, “please believe me.”

Adrian said nothing. He just looked at her — and for a long moment, the silence was unbearable.

Then, slowly, he reached out and took her wrist.

The touch was gentle, but it sent a jolt through both of them. Lucia froze, her breath catching. For a second, neither of them moved. His fingers were warm against her skin, — but his eyes were serious.

“Lucia,” he said quietly. “I’m not saying this as your employer right now. I’m saying it as someone who’s concerned about you.”

Her tears blurred her vision.

“You need to take things easy,” he continued softly. “You’ve been pushing too hard — chasing shadows. And if you keep doing this, I’ll have no choice but to close the case completely.”

Lucia’s eyes widened. “What?”

Adrian’s tone was calm with a note of finality. “I mean it. If this continues — the accusations, the chasing after things that can’t be proven — I’ll have to end the investigation into Miguel’s death. Permanently.”

For a moment, Lucia didn’t breathe. The words hit her like ice.

She stepped back slightly, shaking her head. “No…”

“I don’t want to do that,” Adrian said. “But I will if it means keeping you from falling apart.”

Lucia’s hands trembled as she pressed her palm to her chest. “You can’t,” she whispered. “You can’t do that. If you close it, then Miguel—” Her voice broke. “Then he’ll never get justice.”

Adrian’s eyes softened, but his expression didn’t change. “You need rest,” he said quietly. “That’s all I’m asking. Take a few days off. Clear your head.”

Lucia’s tears spilled freely now. She shook her head, whispering to herself. “No… no, this isn’t happening…”

Adrian stepped around the desk, stopping just beside her. For a brief moment, he looked like he wanted to say something else — something gentler — but he stopped himself. His hand brushed her arm lightly, a gesture meant to steady her.

“Get some rest,” he said again. “That’s an order.”

Lucia looked up at him, her eyes red, and face pale. “If you close that case,” she said in a trembling whisper, “then everything I’ve fought for — everything Miguel died for — will mean nothing.”

Adrian didn’t answer. His silence was heavier than any words he could have spoken.

She could feel her world crumbling.

If he did what he said — if he truly closed the case — then everything she’d done, every lead she’d followed, every sleepless night spent searching for proof, would die with it. And Rico — the man she was sure had her brother’s blood on his hands — would walk free.

Her vision blurred as she tried to steady herself. “Please,” she said again, voice cracking. “Please don’t do this.”

Adrian exhaled, quiet and tired. He didn’t look at her this time. “I have a meeting,” he said simply.

She blinked, her tears falling faster. “What?”

He turned toward the door, adjusting his cuffs. His voice was calm — too calm. “We’ll talk later. Get some rest, Lucia.”

“Mr Adrian—”

But he didn’t look back. "Henceforth, just call me Adrian"

He walked to the door, opened it, and stepped out.

Lucia stood there, frozen — her hand still pressed to her chest, her breath uneven, and her tears streaming freely now. The sound of the door closing echoed in the quiet office.

And then he left.