Chapter 28 I Love Him

Chapter 28 I Love Him
When the men finally disappeared down the street with Leo, the neighborhood fell into an uneasy silence.
It was past noon, yet the house felt darker than it should have. The bright daylight outside only made the heaviness inside more obvious—like everything wrong had happened in plain sight.
Celeste was the first to speak.
“Olive,” she said breathlessly, panic still clinging to her voice, “who were those men?”
Chris stood beside her, his jaw tight, eyes fixed on his sister as he waited.
Olive’s first instinct was fear—not for herself, but for her mother. Celeste was still recovering; stress was dangerous for her now. Olive moved quickly but gently, guiding her to the sofa.
“Mom… please sit,” she said softly, keeping her voice calm even though her chest felt tight.
Celeste obeyed, but her eyes never left Olive. Chris sat beside her as well. Both of them were waiting, demanding answers without saying a word.
Olive swallowed hard.
“Leo,” she began slowly, choosing each word with care, “isn’t a simple man. Not the way we thought.”
Celeste frowned. “What do you mean?”
Olive turned away from them and rubbed her temples. She already knew that lying would only make things worse. The truth had a way of surfacing—always.
“The men earlier,” she said quietly, “they’re connected to him. They were here because of Leo.”
She turned back.
Celeste’s hand flew to her chest. Despite her weakness, she stood up, disbelief hardening her expression.
“So those men—those gangsters,” she said coldly, “they’re his enemies?”
Chris shook his head, confused and shaken. “That doesn’t make sense. Olive, are you sure? He’s been kind. He helped Mom. He doesn’t look like someone who lives with enemies.”
“Yes,” Olive snapped, irritation slipping through before she could stop it. “I’m sure.”
Her restraint finally cracked.
“He’s a Mafia boss.”
The words hit like a slap.
Chris cursed under his breath, eyes widening. “What the—”
Celeste froze. “A… Mafia boss?” Her voice trembled. “How… how is that even possible?”
She turned to Olive, fear sharpening her tone. “If that’s true, then he’s dangerous. Why did you let someone like that into our lives?”
Olive hesitated, then nodded slowly. “At first, I didn’t know. I only found out days ago.”
“That’s enough,” Celeste said firmly. “You need to stay away from him. Starting now. And the money he paid—we return it immediately.”
“No,” Olive said.
Her voice was steady. Too steady.
Celeste’s eyes flashed. “What do you mean no?! What do you want, Olive? You’ll get involved in his trouble. I’ve protected this family since your father died—and now you’ll put us in danger for a man?”
Olive’s chest heaved. The words came out before she could pull them back.
“I love him.”
The room went still.
Celeste’s expression softened for a moment. She reached for Olive’s hands, gripping them tightly. “You barely know him,” she said desperately. “You can’t call that love. What if he’s only kind now? What if once you’re tied to him, he shows his true colors?”
Her voice broke. “We can leave. We can go somewhere else. You can work at another hospital.”
That was the breaking point.
“Do you hear yourself?” Olive shouted. “Resign my job? Leave this house? With what money, Mom?”
Chris immediately stepped forward. “Hey, stop. Don’t yell at Mom, don't be rude, Olive. And she is still recovering.”
But Olive couldn’t stop anymore.
“How can you even suggest leaving?” she cried. “We’re drowning in debt!”
She wiped her tears roughly. “And I can’t believe you've been lying to us.”
Celeste stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
“The house,” Olive said, her voice shaking. “It’s under collateral, right? In one week, Mom. One week—and we lose it. And you never told us about it.”
Silence fell hard and heavy.
Celeste’s face crumpled. She looked down as guilt washed over her completely. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her chest, sobbing.
Olive slid down onto the floor, her back against the sofa, knees drawn up, hands pressed to her forehead.
“I’m tired,” she sobbed. “I’m so tired. I keep telling myself I’m strong—that I can carry this family no matter what—but I’m exhausted.”
Celeste cried openly now. “I’m sorry,” she whispered again and again. “I didn’t know you felt this way. I didn’t know how heavy it was for you.”
Chris wrapped an arm around their mother, holding her close, but his eyes stayed on Olive—filled with guilt, sorrow, and helplessness.
After the storm of emotions finally settled, the three of them found themselves sitting quietly in the living room.
The house was still. Too still—like it was holding its breath.
Celeste sat beside Olive on the sofa, close enough that their shoulders touched. She leaned slightly toward her daughter, as if afraid Olive might slip away if she didn’t. Across from them, Chris sat with his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together, his expression serious but no longer sharp with panic.