Chapter 32

Laura climbed the stairs in search of some solace, and she knew exactly where to find it. She pushed open Owen's bedroom door, closing it softly behind her. The dim light of the bedside lamp illuminated the cozy atmosphere. Seated on Owen's bed, she let out a tired sigh and stared at the floor for a moment.

Finally, she turned to Fabian and Owen, who watched her with affection, waiting for her to speak.

"I told him," Laura began, her voice laden with emotion. "I told Nick that it was just one night. We let ourselves get carried away by desire, but it can't be more than that."

Fabian tilted his head slightly. "And how did he react?"

Laura made a sad face. "He understood, but... I mentioned Morgan. I told him I didn't want to be the cause of fights between them. It seems that the complicated relationship between the brothers weighed even more on our conversation."

Owen crossed his arms and sighed. "Laura, you owe nothing to Morgan. He chose to go back to his ex-wife. That's not in your hands."

Fabian agreed. "You and Nick shared a moment, and you were honest with him. It's not fair for you to give up on being happy because of that jerk Morgan."

Laura nodded, feeling a bit lighter with her friend and her brother's words. "I know you're right. I just wish everything could be simpler. I didn't want to hurt Nick, he's an amazing guy, but I don't want to be in the middle of them."

Owen smiled gently. "Sometimes, simplicity isn't an option, Laura. Life throws complicated situations at us, but that's how we grow and learn. You were in a very complex situation, dealing with a psychopathic mafia boss who terrorized you and stole years of your life. You fell in love, and in the end, all of this happened. Nick seems like a good person, but it's better this way, staying away from trouble."

Fabian added. "You're following what feels right for you. That's what matters. Soon, you'll forget about those two chaos-causing brothers."

Laura looked at her friends, gratitude filling her eyes. "Thank you for being here and supporting me. You are my anchor. Oh, and before I forget, I managed to book a flight three hours from now."

"Everything's ready," Fabian said.

"My things are ready too. I can't wait to see Nonna again," Owen said as they headed to the airport.

The car moved along the road, cutting through the fresh morning air. Laura was focused on driving, her thoughts revolving around recent conversations and decisions. Beside her, Owen and Fabian remained silent, respecting the contemplative mood.

With every mile, the cityscape transformed into a broader view of the horizon. Laura felt like she was leaving behind a chapter of her life, making room for a new beginning.

Upon reaching the airport, Laura parked the car and turned off the engine. They got out of the vehicle, grabbed their luggage, and walked towards the terminal. The scene was filled with hurried people, coming and going, each with their own story and destination.

After check-in and security procedures, it was time for boarding. Laura held her ticket, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Owen and Fabian accompanied her to the boarding gate.

In the darkness of his room, Morgan sat on his bed, lost in thought. He was well aware of the complications his relationship with Laura brought.

As the night progressed, a murmur caught his attention. He focused, realizing the voice was coming from the adjacent room. Intrigued, he got up and approached the wall, where a hole in the plaster allowed him to listen more clearly.

He listened attentively and recognized Loren's voice. Her voice was tense, filled with anger and determination. And then, he heard the words that sent a chill down his spine.

"I know what to do, Father. I'll end her. I'll make her feel the same pain we felt when Niklaus died."

Morgan felt a shiver run down his spine as he eavesdropped on Loren secretly. As he continued to listen, he heard Loren's father's response, a man known for his influence and shady connections.

"You know what to do, my dear. Protecting the honor of our family, family comes first. Morgan doesn't know what that means. I haven't taken his life yet because I don't want you to suffer again, but I'm not sure if the other mafias will be as lenient."

Morgan moved away from the wall, his heart racing. Now, he was faced with a choice. He had tried to distance himself from the family conspiracies to make Laura happy, even losing many friends and investors in the process. But now, he was in the midst of a dangerous situation. He knew he needed to take action, but he was aware of the potential consequences.

In the dark room, Morgan listened to Loren's father's words with growing horror. He could barely believe what he was hearing. Loren's father was planning to kidnap Laura and cause her harm, all in pursuit of revenge for Niklaus.

"Darling, when Laura arrives on the midnight flight, it's the perfect time to act," Loren's father's sinister voice said. "I will abduct her. We will bring justice for the death of our Niklaus!"

The words echoed in Morgan's ears, filling him with a growing sense of urgency. He couldn't allow this to happen, couldn't let Loren carry out her threat. With time running out, he could only hope that his action could protect Laura from the imminent danger.

As the tension from the call with Nate still reverberated in his mind, Morgan heard footsteps approaching his room. He quickly stowed his phone away, feeling tense as the door opened and Loren walked in.

Loren entered with a casual smile as if nothing extraordinary was happening. "What are you doing here, Morgan? You seem a bit agitated."

Morgan struggled to hide the urgency in his voice. "I... was just checking on some things."

Loren raised an eyebrow but didn't seem to suspect anything. "Well, I came to tell you that we have a charity dinner to attend. My father wants to discuss some business matters."

Morgan felt a chill run down his spine. While Loren appeared completely oblivious to the situation, he was aware that something sinister was unfolding behind the scenes.

"Of course," Morgan replied, fighting to keep his expression neutral. "I'll be there with you."

Loren smiled and turned to leave the room. "Great. I'll wait for you in the dining room."

As soon as Loren left the room, Morgan released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He knew he had to act quickly to ensure Laura's safety. He approached the window, looking out into the darkness.

Nate was on his way to fulfill his mission, and Morgan hoped his action would be enough to avert the impending danger.

With his heart racing, he left the room, preparing for the approaching dinner. As Laura's fate hung in the balance, he was determined to do whatever it took to keep her out of Loren's reach and her ominous plan.