Chapter 3

Elena returned home and collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her phone began to ring — it was her fiancé, Raphael.

“Hey, babe. Are you home now?” he asked warmly.

“Yes,” Elena replied softly, trying to sound cheerful.

She hesitated before saying, “I’ve been thinking… I want our wedding to take place in the garden, at the old mill.”

Raphael paused. “Okay, babe. Whatever you want. Call the event planner in the morning, alright? I need some sleep.”

“I love you,” Elena said.

“Love you too,” he replied before hanging up.

Elena set her phone aside and sighed deeply. She couldn’t stop thinking — about her life, about Raphael, and about the woman she met at the club.

---

Across town, Scarlett woke in her lavish mansion. She stretched, brushed her teeth, and studied herself in the mirror — the powerful Mafia Queen looking back. After breakfast she suddenly remembered she wasn’t alone.

The woman from last night — Jasmine — was still asleep in her bed. Scarlett walked back just as Jasmine stirred.

“I’m awake,” Jasmine murmured.

“Good,” Scarlett said shortly. “I have to go to work.” She gathered her things.

“I have stuff to do too,” Jasmine said softly.

“Cool,” Scarlett replied, already heading for the door.

“Can you give me a ride?” Jasmine asked hopefully.

Scarlett stopped, turned, and shook her head. “No.” She pulled a few bills from her wallet and tossed them onto the bed. “Here. Grab yourself a coffee. Don’t come back unless I call you.”

Jasmine’s face fell. Anger and embarrassment burned inside her, but she stayed silent. No one talked back to the Mafia Queen. She picked up the money and left.

When the door closed, Scarlett stood in the quiet, lighting a cigarette. The city stretched beneath her windows — glittering, cold, hers. Yet for a moment she thought of that other woman: the one with the nervous smile and the soft eyes.

“Elena,” she whispered, tasting the name like a secret. Foolish girl.

---

Later that morning, Elena lay restless in bed. Her thoughts returned again and again to Scarlett’s piercing eyes and calm, commanding voice. She shook her head, trying to stop, but her body betrayed her.

She rose and ran a bath. Warm water filled the tub, steam curling in the air. She sank into it, closing her eyes, letting the heat blur her confusion and longing. When she finally climbed out, her heart was still racing.

Raphael sent her a voice message about the wedding plans.

“Don’t stress too much, babe. I know you’ll make it perfect.”

Perfect. Everything with Raphael was always perfect — predictable, safe. Yet her pulse didn’t quicken when he said her name.

---

At that same time, Scarlett arrived at her office, sharp suit, colder gaze. Her assistant greeted her nervously.

“Good morning, Miss Voss.”

Without looking up, Scarlett said, “Find out everything you can about a woman named Elena. I want her background — where she works, who she’s engaged to, everything.”

“Yes, Miss Voss,” the assistant said quickly.

When the door closed, Scarlett turned her chair toward the window. Her reflection smirked back at her — untouchable, ruthless.

“Elena Russo,” she whispered again. The name sounded expensive. Sweet. Dangerous.

She leaned back, a slow smile curling on her lips. “Let’s see what kind of woman hides behind that pretty smile.”