The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Luca's office, casting long shadows across the room. He sat at his desk, tapping a pen against the polished wood, his thoughts drifting back and forth between the past, the present, and an uncertain future. Shanaya's father had approached him the previous evening, casually mentioning something that had left Luca stunned.

"Shanaya deserves a stable future, Luca. You know how much she cares about you, and after all these years, it's time to give her what she wants—a real commitment. Marriage isn't just a question anymore; it's an expectation," her father had said with a firmness that left little room for argument.

The words had weighed on Luca's mind ever since. The idea of marrying Shanaya felt like a stone in his chest, heavy and unmovable, pressing against the remnants of his true feelings for Elena. The very notion of committing to Shanaya—someone he had never truly loved—brought him closer to the edge of suffocation. Yet, Shanaya's family had been business partners with the Russo empire for years, and their union seemed practical, beneficial for both families. But could he really go through with it?

As Luca sat there, he felt trapped in a battle between duty and desire. The door to his office opened quietly, and his mother, Sofia, stepped in, her expression soft but knowing. She had always been able to sense when something was bothering Luca, and today was no different.

"Luca, darling, what's troubling you?" she asked, sitting across from him, her gentle eyes searching his face.

Luca sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Shanaya's father... he brought up marriage last night."

Sofia's eyebrows rose slightly, but she remained calm. "And how do you feel about that?"

"I don't love her, Mom. I never have," Luca admitted, his voice heavy with frustration. "But I feel like I'm being backed into a corner. It's what's expected. Her father, my father, the business—it all makes sense on paper."

His mother's gaze softened as she reached out to place a comforting hand on his. "Luca, marriage is not a business arrangement. It's a bond between two people who love and understand each other. If you marry Shanaya for the wrong reasons, you'll be miserable, and so will she. You can't let pressure dictate the rest of your life."

Luca nodded, appreciating his mother's wisdom, but the internal conflict remained. "But what if I say no? Shanaya has been... persistent. And her father won't take it lightly."

Sofia gave him a sad smile. "I know Shanaya cares for you deeply, but if you're not in love with her, then you owe it to both of you to be honest. You've already made that mistake once, Luca, with Elena. Don't make it again."

The mention of Elena sent a pang of guilt and longing through Luca's heart. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since they reconnected. Their recent conversations, the closeness they had rediscovered, the way her smile could still light up his entire world—it all brought back memories of the deep love they once shared. A love that still lingered between them, unspoken but palpable.

"But what about the business?" Luca asked, his voice strained. "If I refuse, things could get complicated with Shanaya's family. There's so much at stake."

Sofia's gaze was unwavering as she replied, "Your happiness is what's at stake, Luca. You've spent too much of your life trying to please others, living up to expectations that aren't your own. You have a choice here. Follow your heart, or live a life of regret."

That afternoon, Luca found himself driving through the city, his mind still swirling with uncertainty. The air outside was crisp, autumn leaves swirling in the wind. He wasn't sure where he was going, but his subconscious seemed to have already made the decision for him. Before he knew it, he was pulling up outside Elena's apartment.

He stepped out of the car, hesitating at the front steps. He wasn't sure what he would say to her—how he would explain the mess that was his life right now—but he knew he needed to see her. To hear her voice. To remind himself of what was real and what wasn't.

Luca knocked lightly on the door, and a moment later, it opened to reveal Elena, her expression surprised but not unwelcome. "Luca," she said softly, stepping aside to let him in. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I wasn't expecting to come here either," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I needed to talk to you."

Elena led him into the living room, where they sat down on the couch. There was a comfortable silence between them for a moment before Luca finally spoke.

"Shanaya's father wants me to marry her," he said bluntly, watching for Elena's reaction.

Her face remained calm, but there was a flicker of something—hurt, maybe—that passed through her eyes. "And what do you want?"

Luca leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, as he took a deep breath. "I don't want to marry her, Elena. I never did. I'm not in love with her, and I don't think I ever could be. But there's so much pressure—our families, the business... it feels like it's all closing in on me."

Elena's eyes softened as she leaned back against the couch. "Luca, you can't make decisions like this because of pressure. If you're not in love with Shanaya, then marrying her would be a huge mistake. You'll only end up hurting both of you in the long run."

Luca nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I know. But it's so hard to see a way out."

Elena reached out and placed a hand on his arm, and the warmth of her touch sent a jolt through him. He looked up, meeting her gaze, and for a moment, the world seemed to still.

"Luca," she said softly, her voice gentle but firm. "You've always been a good man, but sometimes, you let the weight of your responsibilities cloud your judgment. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to love and be loved. Don't let anyone take that away from you."

Her words hit him like a ton of bricks. In that moment, Luca realized just how much he had been suppressing his own desires, his own needs, in order to live up to the expectations of others. But what about his own expectations? What about the future he wanted for himself?

And then, as if on cue, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, and sure enough, it was a message from Shanaya: "Dinner tonight? We need to talk."

Luca sighed, his heart heavy. He knew exactly what she wanted to talk about, and the very thought of that conversation made his stomach churn.

Elena watched him closely, her eyes filled with empathy. "You have to be honest with her, Luca. She deserves the truth, just like you do."

Luca nodded, sliding the phone back into his pocket. "You're right. I need to tell her the truth. I can't keep dragging this out."

Elena gave him a small, encouraging smile. "You'll figure it out, Luca. You always do."

That evening, Luca met Shanaya for dinner at a restaurant downtown. She was dressed impeccably, as always, her smile bright and confident. But as they sat down, Luca could see the anticipation in her eyes. She was waiting for him to say something—something that he wasn't ready to say.

The meal passed in a blur, small talk about work and family filling the space between them. But as the plates were cleared and dessert was offered, Shanaya leaned forward, her gaze locking onto his.

"Luca, we need to talk about us," she said, her tone serious. "My father has been talking to your father, and I think we both know what's next."

Luca felt a lump form in his throat as he met her gaze. "Shanaya, I—"

She held up a hand, stopping him. "Before you say anything, I just want you to know that I love you, Luca. I've loved you for years, and I believe we can make this work. Our families want this, and I know deep down, you do too."

Her words were laced with hope, but Luca couldn't meet her expectations. He couldn't give her what she wanted.

"Shanaya," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "I care about you, but I don't love you the way you deserve to be loved. I can't marry you."

The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, Shanaya just stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her face hardened, and her eyes narrowed.

"You're still in love with her, aren't you?" she asked bitterly, her voice sharp.

Luca didn't deny it. "I am. I never stopped loving her."

Shanaya's jaw clenched, and she looked away, her hands trembling slightly. **"So, that's it then? You're choosing her over me

Luca sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "It's not about choosing anyone over anyone else. It's about being honest with myself and with you. You deserve someone who can love you fully, and that's not me."

Shanaya sat in silence for a moment, her emotions swirling just beneath the surface. Finally, she stood up, throwing her napkin onto the table. "I hope she's worth it, Luca. Because you just lost the best thing that ever happened to you."

And with that, she walked away, leaving Luca sitting alone at the table, the reality of his decision sinking in.

As Luca drove home that night, he felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. The weight that had been pressing down on him for so long had finally lifted, and for the first time in years, he felt like he was on the right path.

He didn't know what the future held for him and Elena, but he knew one thing for sure: he wouldn't be marrying Shanaya.