Undeniably Claimed

Chapter 16: Truth

"Luca, I have battled it before. My body is not up for the challenge again."

He understands now, she is not seeking treatment. She is letting the cancer win. His voice coming out colder, "you're giving up?!"

She flinched at his tone, "I have accepted my fate."

"That's bullshit!" He roars making her jump. He's angry. How could she just give up? Why wouldn't she want to live?!

"Luca-"

"NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!!!"

"Hey, what's going on in here?" 

Cassidy's head comes into view hearing her brother yell. Both heads don't turn away from each other. Luca looks enraged while Sophia looks defeated. A moment of silence passes through them before Sophia turns to Cassidy. Cassidy can see the redness and puffiness in her eyes. She turns to her brother who still refuses to look at anyone but her. 

"I think I should leave. Thank you Cassidy for inviting me to dinner. Please apologize to your parents for any trouble-"

"It's alright Sophia." Cassidy says easily. Concern can be heard clearly in her voice. 

"You're not leaving!"

Sophia turns back to Luca with a forced smile. "I think it would be best-"

She is cut off as he closes the distance between them before slamming his lips against her. This kiss is anything but gentle and shows his anger. His lips demanding and moving fast. Sophia can barely keep up. One hand is gripping her hair and head while the other is holding her waist in a vice grip. She can feel his emotions in the kiss, the pain, the desperation, the want. Sophia brings her hands up to hold his face rubbing his cheeks soothingly. The kiss slowing down until Luca places his forehead against hers. His eyes welling up as well. 

"Please don't do this Tesoro.. please" His voice low but desperate as he grips her as if she would vanish if he allows it. "I will be by your side... please."

Sophia looks to with watery eyes as she closes her eyes once more and kisses him tenderly. He feels as if she is saying goodbye to him. He can feel her withdrawingly and he has no clue to stop it. She doesn't say another word as she pulls away before walking out of the room. Not once turning back to him. His eyes following her as she walks around a dumbstruck Cassidy. He feels his tears begin rolling down his cheeks as he locks his jaw. 

"What the hell are you doing?"

Luca raises his teary eyes to his father and mother. His mother looks sad but his father looks lethal. He leaves his mother walking directly to him. 

"Go after her"

"She doesn't want me-"

"She does too. She wants you to fight Luca."

"She's sick dad!"

"So? An illness should not stop you from loving someone!" His father raises his voice making him feel like a kid again. 

"She is giving up dad!" Luca throws his hands up yelling. 

Xavier gets in his son's face before pushing a finger at his chest. "You don't know what is going on but I do know that you are letting her leave... Right now, be a man!"

Luca practically growls while his dad pokes him getting his point across. Not saying another word, he leaves the room without looking back at them all. Cassidy watches as her brother battles with the slaughter of emotions running through him. She feels worried and sad just hoping they work it out. 

Sophia doesn't dare look back because one look from him and she would never leave the safety of his arms. He doesn't understand what all she has went through, what it took from her. She doesn't want to bare it again. With that, she knows it will never work between them. This is the reason she doesn't make connections and travels so much. Now what is she supposed to do. She makes it outside of the house. The cold air of the evening instantly making her wrap her arms around herself. 

"SOPHIA!"

She turns around finding Luca running to her. She looks down to her feet not wanting to meet his gaze. He stops right in front of her huffing. 

"I don't care. I don't" She lifts her gaze to him. "I don't care if we have a day, a week, or a year. I want it. I want to be by your side enjoying what only you can give to me Tesoro. You're it for me. You are the light of day, the air I breathe. I'm not letting you leave just because this may get difficult. You are not leaving me."

She smiles while crying again. He wraps his arms around her holding her again. Her hands gripping him like the anchor he is. She needs him too and for the first time ever... it terrifies her. She has never relied on anyone. Jessica is her only family and doesn't have any friends. No one that could be sad if she was gone. Luca brings out a side of her, and she is scared. She doesn't want to hurt him and that alone might kill her. She lays her head into his neck as she apologies continuously under her breath. 

Five minutes or so go by where he is holding her as she calms down. He pulls back taking her face into his hands. 

"I'm all in Sophia. Let me in."

She nods her head not trusting her voice. He comes forward kissing her forehead as his heart race finally slows down slightly. His center of gravity is in his arms. For whatever amount of time he has, he will take... with her by his side. 

"I don't think I can face your family tonight."

"That's alright, let's go."

He ushers her to the car helping her in before closing the door. He looks back at the house to find his sister standing at the door. She gives him a nod and wave. He returns it before walking to his side. He gets in and starts up the car before reaching out for her hand. She lays hers in his and he tightens his hold while bringing it to his lips. 

They drive down the streets of California as soft music plays in the background. The world continuing on even as both their lives feel as if it has stopped. Luca is not sure what all he feels but one thing is for certain. 

Sophia is his, and he will be damn before he gives up on her. 

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I hope everyone is having safe and a Happy Holiday season. Please keep in mind, I may get some medical facts incorrect moving forward. Please vote and comment if you like the chapter! Thank you!!