Chapter 1

For fifteen days, the Moretti family used its full power to keep my grandmother locked in that damp, cold dungeon.

When I was finally allowed to see her, she suffered a heart attack and crumpled to the stone floor.

I screamed for the guards to get the family doctor, but they deliberately took their time, and my grandmother's breath and pulse grew weaker and weaker.

"Chloe, Grandma didn't steal anything. I saw Serena drop that cross into the champagne tower… I saw it with my own eyes."

"You need to get Vincent to come here. I'll explain it to him in person. I can't let you suffer because of me…"

My grandmother was drawing her last breaths, but her hand clutched mine so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Tears streamed down my face as I grabbed my phone and frantically dialed his number.

After what felt like an eternity of desperate, unanswered rings, he finally picked up, his voice thick with irritation.

"I'm busy running the family business and planning a wedding, and what about you? You vanish for half a month. Do you even want to get married or not?"

"Vincent, please, just send a car to take Grandma to a proper hospital. Please, I'm begging you, just come and see her…"

I ignored his complaints, my voice trembling as I pleaded.

Vincent was silent on the other end. After a long pause, he replied dismissively.

"I get it. I'm in a meeting with the capos and I can't get away. Just wait for me there."

Grandma held on, waiting from morning until night.

My phone died from calling him over and over, but Vincent never showed up.

The next shift of guards walked past the cell, one with a cigarette dangling from his lips, chatting excitedly with his partner about the big event of the night.

"The Boss booked the best yacht in the bay tonight, a welcome party just for Miss Serena. It's even more extravagant than the engagement dinner!"

"I heard they're setting off fireworks over the whole bay all night. Some life, huh? Being the boss's woman."

My grandmother, resting in my arms, heard their words, and the light in her eyes faded.

She patted the back of my hand, just like she did when I cried as a child.

"My sweet girl, I've been such a burden to you."

"I have a brooch, a gift from your mother. I hid it under your pillow… Don't fight with Vincent. Don't let this destroy your future..."

Her hand fell limply to her side. In the dead silence of the dungeon, her chest was still, her breathing stopped.

I collapsed, sobbing, onto the cold stone slab.

Outside, the night sky erupted with one firework after another, illuminating the bay as bright as day.

A guard's phone, left on a nearby table, lit up.

The screen showed a social media notification: a photo of Vincent with his arm around Serena's waist, leaning in to whisper in her ear. They looked like they were made for each other.

I clutched my grandmother's still-warm hand, refusing to let go.

"Grandma, wake up."

"I'm not marrying him. Not now, not ever."