The grand estate was buzzing with life. Victor had decided to throw a family reunion, a tradition that the Russo family had carried on for years. The sprawling gardens, adorned with fairy lights and elegant decorations, set the perfect ambiance for the gathering of friends, family, and business associates. The evening sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over everything.

Elena arrived, arm-in-arm with Aaron, who had happily agreed to be her date for the night. He had been her anchor in the past few months, supporting her through the emotional whirlwind that Luca's sudden re-entry into her life had caused. The invitation from Victor had felt like an olive branch, a way for Elena to reconnect with the family she had grown so close to over the years, but she knew the night wouldn't be without its complications.

As they walked up the grand steps to the mansion, Elena felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Her elegant navy-blue dress flowed behind her, and she had made an effort to look her best tonight. She knew Luca would be there, and though she didn't want to admit it, a part of her wanted him to notice her with Aaron—her life moving forward, her happiness no longer tethered to the past.

"You look stunning," Aaron whispered into her ear, smiling as they reached the entrance.

Elena blushed, grateful for Aaron's easygoing presence. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself," she replied, eyeing his tailored suit. He always knew how to keep things light and fun, something she desperately needed tonight.

As they entered the ballroom, Elena's eyes scanned the room, searching for familiar faces. Victor was by the grand staircase, warmly greeting guests, while Luca stood in the far corner, engaged in conversation with Shanaya. Her heart sank a little at the sight of them together, but she quickly pushed the feeling away.

Aaron noticed her gaze lingering in Luca's direction. "Hey, don't worry about him tonight," he said, gently squeezing her hand. "We're here to have a good time, remember?"

She smiled gratefully, allowing Aaron to guide her toward the refreshment table. The evening progressed smoothly, filled with light chatter and laughter. Elena tried to focus on enjoying herself, catching up with old acquaintances and avoiding Luca's direction whenever possible. But no matter how much she tried to distance herself emotionally, her mind kept wandering back to him.

Across the room, Luca's mood was deteriorating by the second. He had seen Elena walk in with Aaron, and it had taken every ounce of his willpower not to march over there and drag her away from him. He watched them from the corner of his eye, the way Aaron laughed easily with her, the way she seemed at ease in his company, and it burned him up inside.

Shanaya, who had been talking to him about some business venture, noticed his distraction. She followed his gaze and sighed, irritation flashing across her face. "Luca, are you even listening?"

Luca blinked, turning back to her. "What? Sorry, I was—"

"Watching Elena," Shanaya interrupted, her voice sharp with jealousy. "You've been doing that all night. It's obvious."

Luca didn't deny it. "I can't help it," he admitted, his voice low, frustration bubbling under the surface. "I don't like seeing her with him."

"Then do something about it," Shanaya snapped, her voice hardening. "You've been moping around, but you haven't done anything to make things right with her. You keep pushing her away, and now she's moving on."

Luca clenched his fists. "You think I don't know that?"

Shanaya crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Luca, if you want Elena back, you need to make a choice. Otherwise, stop torturing yourself—and me—with this back-and-forth."

Luca stared at her, knowing she was right. But it wasn't that simple. His feelings for Elena had always been complicated, tangled up in years of unresolved emotions, misunderstandings, and broken trust. And now, seeing her with Aaron—it was driving him crazy.

Shanaya sighed, her frustration evident. "I'll leave you to figure things out. But if you keep hesitating, you're going to lose her for good."

With that, Shanaya turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Luca alone with his thoughts. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on him. The jealousy was gnawing at him, but beneath it was something deeper—fear. Fear that maybe it was too late. Maybe Elena had moved on, and there was no going back.

Meanwhile, Elena and Aaron were standing near the garden, the sound of the string quartet playing softly in the background. Elena was laughing at one of Aaron's jokes when she felt a familiar presence behind her. She turned, and there was Luca, standing a few feet away, his eyes locked on her. There was a tension between them, one that hadn't been there in the weeks prior.

"Elena," Luca said, his voice rough with emotion. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Aaron, sensing the sudden shift in mood, glanced at Elena. "Do you want me to stay?"

Elena shook her head, offering him a small smile. "It's okay. I'll be fine."

Aaron gave her a reassuring nod before walking away, leaving her alone with Luca. As soon as Aaron was out of earshot, Luca stepped closer, his gaze intense.

"I don't like this," Luca said, his voice low. "Seeing you with him. It's driving me insane."

Elena crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Aaron is my friend. He's been there for me, supporting me when you weren't."

Luca's jaw tightened. "I know. But that doesn't make it any easier."

"You have no right to be jealous, Luca," Elena replied, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. "You've made your choices. You're the one who pushed me away."

"I didn't mean to," Luca said, his voice softer now. He took a step closer, his eyes pleading. "I was scared, Elena. Scared of losing you, scared of messing things up again. But I never stopped caring about you."

Elena felt her heart tighten, but she forced herself to stay calm. "You don't get to do this, Luca. You don't get to disappear and then show up when it's convenient for you."

Luca reached for her hand, his touch warm and familiar. "I know I've made mistakes. But I'm not ready to lose you. Not to Aaron, not to anyone."

Elena looked down at their intertwined hands, her emotions swirling inside her. She had spent so long trying to move on, trying to convince herself that she and Luca were over. But now, standing here with him, she wasn't so sure.

Before she could respond, Victor's voice boomed across the garden, announcing a family toast. The moment between them shattered, and Elena pulled her hand away, her heart racing.

"We should go," she said, her voice shaky.

Luca nodded, but his eyes never left her. As they walked back toward the main event, the tension between them lingered, thick and unresolved. And though they were surrounded by family and friends, it felt like the real storm was still brewing—between them, waiting for the moment to break free.