Chapter 6

The next day, I was up at six.

I looked at the horribly ironic wedding dress and had one of my men deliver it to Juliana.

"But Miss, Don Lorenzo said it was for you..."

"Just say Lorenzo changed his mind."

After hanging up, I took out the package I'd prepared.

The videotape.

I wrote a few words on it: "A gift for the happy couple."

Then I had it sent to the hotel hosting the party tonight.

My people were already in place. They would play it right on schedule.

With that done, I sat on my sofa and waited for the show.

Around noon, Juliana posted.

She was wearing my wedding dress, twirling in front of a mirror.

"Thank you for the surprise, Lorenzo! I guess he wants me to be his fiancée after all."

I stared at the photo, a cold smile on my lips.

Enjoy these last few hours, dear sister.

I picked up my suitcase and walked to the door.

The private jet was waiting.

Goodbye, New York.

Goodbye, Lorenzo Moretti.

---

Lorenzo's POV

I stood in the ballroom, pleased with the setup.

Five hundred white roses, crystal chandeliers, a champagne tower.

Everyone who matters in New York is about to see Isabella become mine.

I know I've been cold. So what?

Jules was the one. I loved her before I was heir to anything. The only reason I gave Isabella the time of day was because she looked like her.

But ten years is ten years. I'm not an idiot. Of course I love her now. I'll marry her. I want her by my side forever.

But then Jules came back. Vanished for years and showed up the day I was supposed to make Isabella my fiancée.

I knew it would hurt her. But she'd never really be angry with me. She'd understand.

After all, I remember how she chased me. The proud Chicago princess, following me like a madwoman for a solid year. She took a fucking bullet for me without even thinking.

A woman who would die for me isn't going to leave over something small.

I want Jules. But there's no way I'm losing Isabella. She lives for me.

Isabella wants the title? Fine. I'll make her the perfect Moretti wife.

And Jules can be my woman on the side. Forever.

Why choose? I'll have them both.

This party... this is my promise to her. My payment for her trouble.

I can't wait to see the tears in her eyes when she realizes it.

"Don Lorenzo," Marco approached me. "The guests have arrived. Your fiancée is ready."

I straightened my tie, ready to go get Isabella.

But as I walked backstage, I saw a familiar figure.

Juliana.

She was wearing a white wedding dress, a blissful smile on her face.

"Jules?" I froze. "What are you doing here? Where's Isabella?"

"Lorenzo!" She threw herself into my arms, beaming. "I knew this dress was for me! Bella sent it over. She said you'd changed your mind!"

My mind went blank. A sick feeling twisted in my gut.

Just then, the big screens flickered to life.

But it wasn't the romantic slideshow of me and Isabella.

It was grainy surveillance footage. Of Juliana, from over a decade ago.

She was in a café, talking to a friend. Her face was a mask of contempt.

"Lorenzo? He's a nobody. Hasn't even locked down his place in the family yet," she sneered. "Why would I waste my time? The real prize is the Volkov heir. When I'm Mrs. Volkov, a guy like Lorenzo won't be worthy of shining my shoes."

The room erupted in gasps. I stared at the screen, unable to believe it.

But it kept playing. The next clip showed her faking a heart attack to scam some other rich guy out of a sports car.

"No... turn it off!" Juliana screamed, her face white as a sheet.

The final clip was just audio. Her voice, on the phone with a friend after the Volkovs threw her out. Broke and desperate.

"I miscarried. The kid wasn't enough to make him stay... I have to go back to New York. That idiot Lorenzo is still hung up on me. He's the Don now. I'm going back to get what's mine."

"Turn it off! TURN IT OFF!" she shrieked, lunging for the control booth, but it was too late.

She crumpled to the floor, shaking. "Lorenzo... it's not real... Isabella set me up..."

I just stood there, frozen.

Then I felt my phone buzz.

A text.

From Isabella.

"Lorenzo, this is goodbye. Thank you for showing me what true love isn't. The tape is my gift to you both. May you and Juliana live happily ever after. —Isabella"