The next few days after Luca's confrontation with Shanaya were tense. Elena could feel the weight of everything lingering in the air like a storm waiting to break. She knew that Shanaya wasn't one to take rejection easily, and after what Luca had told her about the fake pregnancy, Elena braced herself for whatever was coming next.

Shanaya had crossed every line imaginable, using lies and manipulation to try to trap Luca. And despite Luca's reassurances, the fear that Shanaya would find another way to cause trouble still gnawed at Elena. But what she didn't expect was just how quickly things would unravel.

One evening, as Elena and Luca were getting ready to leave the office, Luca's phone buzzed with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen, his face tightening. It was his father, Victor.

"Dad?" Luca answered, keeping his tone even. He had already told his family about Shanaya's schemes, and Victor had been furious at the lengths Shanaya had gone to manipulate them.

"Luca, you need to come home immediately," Victor said, his voice grave.

"What's going on?"

"It's Shanaya. She showed up at the house today, causing a scene. I think it's best if you and Elena come here now. We need to put an end to this once and for all."

Luca looked at Elena, his expression grim. "We need to go. It's about Shanaya."

When they arrived at the Russo family estate, the tension was palpable. Victor stood at the entrance, waiting for them with a heavy frown. Elena could feel her heart pounding in her chest as they stepped inside.

Shanaya was already there, sitting on one of the couches, her eyes red and swollen as if she had been crying. But despite her tear-streaked face, there was a defiance in her gaze, as though she still believed she could win.

"Luca," Shanaya said softly, standing as they entered the room. "We need to talk. Alone."

"There's nothing left to talk about, Shanaya," Luca said coldly, his arm instinctively wrapping around Elena's waist. "I've made my decision clear."

Shanaya's face crumbled, her lower lip trembling. "You can't do this to me. I love you, Luca. I've always loved you."

"You don't love me," Luca replied, his voice steady. "You love the idea of controlling me. And that's not love. What you've done—lying, manipulating, and trying to trap me—it's not love, Shanaya. It's desperation."

Shanaya's eyes flickered to Elena, her expression twisting into one of hatred. "It's because of her, isn't it? She's the one who's ruined everything!"

"No," Luca said firmly. "Elena didn't ruin anything. You did this to yourself."

Shanaya's composure finally cracked. "You can't just leave me like this! I gave up everything for you! I'm the one who's been by your side through all the hard times!"

Luca sighed, his patience wearing thin. "This ends now, Shanaya. There is no future for us. And if you keep spreading these lies—if you keep trying to interfere in my life, I will take legal action."

Victor, who had been silently watching from the side, finally stepped forward. "Shanaya," he said, his tone stern. "It's time for you to go. You've done enough damage, and I won't allow this family to be dragged through any more of your drama."

Shanaya looked around the room, her face flushed with humiliation and anger. But she seemed to realize, finally, that there was no way out. Luca's mind was made up, and his family was united in their stance.

With one last, bitter glare at Elena, Shanaya grabbed her purse and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her. The echo of it rang in the silent room, but with it came a sense of finality. Shanaya's reign of chaos was over.

The days that followed felt lighter, as though a weight had been lifted from Elena's shoulders. She and Luca had weathered the storm together, and now, with Shanaya gone from their lives, they could finally focus on their future.

One afternoon, Elena sat with Luca's mother, Serena, in the garden. The sunlight danced through the leaves of the trees, casting a golden glow over everything. It was peaceful, and Elena felt a sense of calm she hadn't felt in months.

"You've been through a lot," Serena said gently, pouring Elena a cup of tea. "But you've handled it all with such grace."

Elena smiled softly, taking the cup from her. "It hasn't been easy, but Luca and I... we're stronger for it."

Serena nodded, her eyes warm with approval. "I've always known that you and Luca were meant for each other. Even when you were kids, there was something special between you two."

Elena's heart swelled at the thought. She had known Luca for most of her life, and despite all the ups and downs, they had always found their way back to each other. Now, more than ever, she was certain that Luca was her future.

Later that evening, as Elena and Luca sat on the balcony of their shared apartment, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance, Luca turned to her, his expression serious yet filled with love.

"I want to say something," he began, his voice soft but determined. "Through everything—through all the chaos with Shanaya, the lies, the drama—you never gave up on us. And I want you to know how much that means to me."

Elena smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "I never had a reason to give up. I love you, Luca. I always have."

Luca tilted her chin up, gazing into her eyes. "I love you, too. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you that."

The moment was perfect, a quiet promise of the future they would build together, free from the shadows of the past. Luca leaned in, kissing her softly, the warmth of his touch filling her with hope.

As the weeks passed, the darkness that Shanaya had brought into their lives slowly faded, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. Elena and Luca continued working together, side by side, building not just a business but a life filled with love and understanding.

There were no more lies, no more manipulations—just them, stronger than ever.

And as they walked hand-in-hand through the city streets, planning their next adventure together, there was a new light in their eyes, a shared belief in the power of love and second chances. Shanaya's chapter in their lives had finally closed, and now, a new one was just beginning.

One filled with hope, happiness, and the promise of forever.