Chapter 176 Care
Luca gently grabbed her wrist light, let go right away, but stopped her perfectly.
"Don't go, don't wake Leo." His voice dropped even lower, with a hint of pleading. "The kid just fell asleep soundly."
Olivia paused, instinctively looking at Leo on the bed.
The little guy was sleeping with his cheeks a bit pink, long lashes down, totally undisturbed.
Her heart softened, and she slowed her movements.
"At least tell me where the injury is." Her tone got serious, firm and no-nonsense. "If you don't say, I'll call the doctor right now, kid or no kid."
Luca saw how determined she was and knew he couldn't hide it.
He took a soft breath, turned his body slightly, revealing his left forearm and side waist.
"Here, blocked something earlier, got a bruise, and the stitches popped a little."
Olivia's eyes went there, and her face went pale.
His shirt under the jacket had faint red stains, not obvious, but it made her chest tighten.
This is what he calls not serious?
"Are you crazy?" Her voice trembled, angry and heartbroken. "Hurt like this and you're running around in the mountains, confronting people? Do you think you're made of iron, can take anything?"
Luca had never been scolded like this by her, rapid-fire.
He wasn't mad, instead his chest felt full.
She was really worried about him, not just polite words.
"I'm fine," he said, softening his voice, like coaxing her. "I promise, it's handled, won't get infected. Don't be mad, don't worry. I promise I'll rest properly from now on."
"What good is your promise?" Olivia turned her face away, eyes heating up. "You've promised before, but when have you ever really cared?"
The words hung there, and they both went quiet.
Old wounds got poked, and the air turned a bit bitter.
The warmth on Luca's face faded, replaced by heavy guilt.
"I was wrong before," his voice was low. "I know, a sorry doesn't fix those hurts. I'm not asking you to forgive me right now. I just want to protect you and Leo, no more danger, no more making you suffer even a little."
Olivia gripped her fingers, didn't speak, but her heart got lightly bumped.
She could hear his sincerity, not just for show.
Everything he'd done these days—searching the mountains, shielding them, wrapping it all up—she'd seen it.
The ice in her heart was melting bit by bit, but she wasn't ready to fully open up.
"Leo doesn't know you're totally safe yet." She shifted the topic gently, voice softer. "He'll be so happy when he wakes up. He's been calling for you these days."
Luca's eyes went super soft, landing on Leo's sleeping face.
"When he wakes, I'll play with him," he said softly. "I promised him strawberry cake and drawing. Once things are fully settled here, I'll be with him every day."
Olivia looked at his gentle profile, and that odd feeling in her heart bubbled up again.
"Jason's side... really all done?" She asked softly, still uneasy. "No other guys? Won't he come back?"
Luca pulled his gaze back to her, eyes steady. "All done. He can't bother you and Leo ever again. His people are all caught, bases sealed. The whole mountain's checked, no one slipped away. You and Leo are totally safe from now on."
Olivia let out a long breath, like dropping a huge weight.
The fear weighing on her heart these days vanished completely.
"Good." Her voice was light with relief.
Luca just stood there, watching her relax, his heart melting.
He wanted so bad to pull her into his arms, tell her he's got it all, but he didn't dare be too forward.
He was scared to scare her off, push away the distance they'd closed.
So he just stood, quietly guarding her and the kid.
"You've been tired for days, want to lie down?" He asked softly.
Olivia was exhausted, eyes gritty and sore.
"I'll watch Leo here." She shook her head. "If you're tired, rest in the next room."
But Luca shook his head, moved his feet a bit, and sat on the chair nearby.
"I'll stay here with you." His voice light. "I won't bother, just sit for a bit."
Seeing them safe right there beat any rest.
Olivia glanced at him, didn't argue.
She sat back by the bed, eyes on Leo's face, heart calm.
Olivia glanced at him, didn't argue, sat gently by the bed.
Sunlight crept across the floor, hit Leo's soft hair top, and Luca's tired but steady profile.
Room filled only with soft breaths, quiet and warm.
Luca sat in the chair, eyes barely leaving her.
She'd lost weight, chin sharper, eyes still tired.
Every glance made his guilt heavier.
"Scared bad these days?" His voice was soft, not wanting to break the peace.
Olivia's fingertips paused, didn't look at him, gave a soft hum.
Thinking of those trapped, hopeless moments in the deep mountains still made her shake.
"I didn't protect you well." Luca's throat tightened. "Should've found you sooner. When I heard you were taken, I blanked out, only thought was you two okay."
Olivia stayed quiet, but knew he'd given everything.
"I know you tried your best." She spoke softly, tone light but real.
Luca looked up sharp at her, disbelief in his eyes.
He thought she'd at least resent him, blame him.
"But..." Olivia paused, voice dropping. "Every time I think of Leo scared silent, it hurts. I didn't watch him good, trusted the wrong people, got him in danger."
Luca shook his head fast, firm. "Not your fault, not at all. Jason was crazy obsessed, I didn't clean up the threats early enough. All my fault. Don't take it on yourself."
Olivia didn't speak, fingers lightly brushing Leo's hand back.
Kid slept deep, little brows still furrowed, like scared in his dream.
Her heart softened, all sharp feelings sank away.
Luca watched her quiet profile, heart warm and bitter.
"Want to lean back a bit?" He asked softly. "I can move the chair farther. Won't bother you, won't touch, just sit and guard you."
Olivia looked up at him, his eyes clean and earnest, no pressure.
"No need." She shook her head lightly. "This is fine."