Chapter 2

The custom piece was named “Starless Night.”

The receipt listed rare materials, months of handcrafted labor,

and a price that could buy silence—or loyalty—in the underworld.

At the bottom, the recipient’s name was handwritten.

Not mine.

Not Daniel’s fiancée.

I stared at that thin slip of paper for a long time, then dialed my brother’s number.

Ethan.

My older brother wasn’t just family—

he was one of the most discreet private investigators in Europe.

The kind men like my husband hired when problems needed to disappear.

“Ethan,” I said calmly, “I’m sending you a name and an address. I need to know who she is… and what she is to Alexander.”

There was a pause.

“I’ll handle it,” he replied. “Give me a few days.”

Those days were suffocating.

Alexander became tenderness itself.

Morning kisses pressed to my temple.

Arms around me at night, holding me as if afraid I’d vanish.

He drove me to and from work personally, dismissed his driver, even started learning recipes—standing in our kitchen, sleeves rolled up, pretending domestic devotion.

He played the role perfectly.

A man wracked with guilt over almost being misunderstood.

A husband desperate to make amends.

On Thursday afternoon, the call came from his grandfather.

The Patriarch of the Cole family.

He asked about my health, my routine— then smoothly shifted the blade.

“Emma,” he said, voice aged but firm,

“you and Alexander have been married three years now. It’s time to focus more on family.”

“A man’s career is at its most critical stage at his age,” he continued.

“A household needs a woman who can stabilize the rear.”

“Alexander is capable. And he cherishes you. You should help him secure his position.”

Every word had been wrapped in courtesy, softened with concern—yet edged enough to draw blood.

I answered out of habit.

When the call ended, Alexander stepped in, a porcelain cup balanced in his hand.

“Grandfather?” he asked, voice low but knowing.

“The Elder checking in again?”

I nodded.

He exhaled quietly and pulled me into his arms.

“Don’t let him weigh on you,” he murmured.

“He’s spent his life guarding the Family. Control is how he loves.”

Then, softer—reassuring in a way meant to settle me.

“You don’t need to carry that.”

“You’re my wife.”

“Do what feels right to you,” he said.

“I’ll deal with Grandfather.”

“Always.”

He sounded sincere.

I rested against his chest, breathing in the quiet rot of lies.

Thursday night, Ethan called.

“I’ve got everything,” he said.

His voice was cold. Professional.

“The woman lives at the address you sent. Name’s Lila Grant. Twenty-three. Joined Alexander’s company three months ago.”

“She looks innocent. Soft-spoken. Calls him Alex when no one’s around.”

Then he paused.

“The important part? I pulled surveillance.”

“Two days ago, Alexander personally took her to a private jeweler. Measurements, design consultations—he stayed the entire time.”

My heart clenched.

“There’s more,” Ethan continued.

“And it gets worse.”

“I accessed her private cloud. Password was Alexander’s birthday.”

Inside were photos. Hundreds of them.

I opened the file he sent.

The album was titled:

My Knight.

The most recent post was dated two days ago.

He said this crown belongs only to me. Just like him.

Next week’s family dinner—he promised to give me a name.

The image showed an exquisite bridal crown— diamonds and sapphires set in a constellation pattern.

I recognized it instantly.

Those stones had been purchased at Christie’s, a record-breaking private auction Alexander attended himself.

He’d told me they were for my anniversary gift.

I kept scrolling.

When I broke down last night, he crossed half the city to be with me.

Brought my favorite vanilla chocolates. Held me until morning.

He said as long as he’s here, I’ll never suffer again.

The photo made my vision blur.

Alexander asleep.

Brows faintly furrowed.

One hand tightly clasping hers.

The location tag wasn’t our bedroom.

It was the private safehouse.

The one place he once told me only I was allowed to enter.

The place built for protection. For trust.

Further down.

My new house!

He said it’s mine alone—a castle, just for me.

The image showed a hillside villa overlooking the coast.

White stone. High gates. Private security.

A place I’d once admired casually— and been told it was “reserved for family use.”

My phone slipped from my numb fingers.

The screen shattered on the marble floor.

And in that moment, something inside me did too.