Chapter 2

Sarah's POV:

The moment I stepped into the hall, Donna Valenti came over, hugged me, and kissed my cheek.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so glad to see you safe and sound."

Then she leaned in close and said quietly, "Don't worry about Rachel. As long as the DeLuca family still needs our smuggling routes, I'll never let her take your place."

I already had other plans, but I squeezed her hand gratefully.

"Whatever happens, thank you for everything you've done for me."

"Of course. The Valenti and Romano families have been allies for years."

Hearing her mention my family stung. I forced a smile and kept making conversation with the other socialites.

The party finally ended. As I opened the car door, someone grabbed my arm.

"Ride with me," Marcus ordered.

"No, thanks. I want to get home soon."

He frowned and yanked me close. The smell of whiskey and cigars brought back all the nights I'd spent waiting up for him.

"Are you still mad about Rachel? She's an actress signed to my company. That's all."

I laughed bitterly to myself. I'd been wrong to love him for so many years, but I wasn't an idiot.

"Marcus, I'm not stupid enough to believe she's just your employee when you have two children together."

"Sarah." His jaw went tight. "Is that how little you think of me? If you're upset that I've kept you at home, just say so.

"You want your own career? Fine. You've always wanted to design jewelry, right? I'll make it happen. But don't turn this into something it isn't."

Just then, Daniel, his right-hand man, hurried over.

"Don. Ms. Bellini got cornered by paparazzi outside the hotel. Somebody knocked over a barricade. She fell and cut her arm. She's at St. Vincent's Hospital now."

The anger vanished from Marcus's face. He looked at me, torn, and I knew exactly what he wanted to do. So I said, "Go. You're the one who made her a star. Of course you care about her."

He stepped closer and pulled me into his arms, his rough thumb brushing the sensitive spot on my lower back.

I stiffened on instinct, yet my body leaned into him anyway, craving his comfort.

During those three years in the flooded cell, memories of his arms around me had gotten me through so many nights of abuse.

I knew I should stay away from him, but I was ashamed of how my body responded.

He murmured against my ear, "There was a problem with her security, so I have to go. I'll be back soon. We'll try again tonight, okay? I promise you, we're going to have a baby."

As if to seal his promise, he kissed my forehead solemnly, then hurried off.

What he didn't know was that I'd already stopped the hormone shots.

Back at the DeLuca estate, I heard the maids whispering.

"Looks like this place is about to get a new lady of the house."

"Ms. Bellini has been the lady of the house for ages."

"I like Ms. Bellini better than the Donna anyway. Last time she came, she gave each of us a Cartier bracelet."

"Right? She's so generous it's crazy. I still can't bring myself to wear mine."

I stopped on the landing.

The vase my mother had given me used to sit there. Now a promotional photo from one of Rachel's movies had taken its place.

That woman was using every trick she had to get under my skin.

I walked back to the guest room on the second floor in silence.

As I shut the door, I heard a snap. I'd clenched my hand so hard that one of my long nails had broken and dug into my palm. Blood dripped onto the plush carpet.

If I kept living here, I'd lose my mind sooner or later.

I pulled out my phone and called Lily.

"Sarah?"

"Last time, you said your jewelry studio in Sydney still needs a partner. I've thought it over. I'm in."

"Wait." All at once, she sounded wide awake. "Are you serious? You know Marcus would never let you do that."

I looked up at the gates of the DeLuca estate. For three years, the thought of this place had kept me alive.

"He won't be a problem. Because I'm getting a divorce."