Chapter 2

At the Sunday family dinner, the capos wouldn't let it go.

"Aurora, when is the wedding?"

"You've been engaged for three years. This delay is a bad look."

I put down my silver fork and took a deep breath. "I'm calling off the engagement."

The table went dead silent.

"Are you crazy, Aurora?" A capo slammed his hand on the table. "This was decided the day you were born!"

"Child, did Caspian disrespect you? Don't play games with our families' future."

I just shook my head.

Being his queen was never my choice. It was family duty.

But years ago, in the estate's rose garden, he picked the brightest rose for me. "Aurora, you will be my only queen."

For that promise, I willingly walked into this gilded cage.

The next day at noon, I was clearing out my office when Sienna sat across from me.

As she moved, a silver cross necklace slipped from her collar.

She slid a black Americano toward me, her eyes probing. "Threw another tantrum with Caspian last night?"

I stared at the necklace on her collarbone. My blood turned to ice.

I got him that charm when I was eighteen, praying on my knees after he barely survived a shootout. He kissed my forehead and swore he'd never take it off, even in death.

Sienna looked down and faked surprise. "You didn't know? Before the shootout with the Russians last night, Caspian put it on my neck himself. Said he was lending me your good luck. He even made a bet. He said if you found out he gave me his precious charm, you'd come crying and screaming to him."

My hand flinched.

The words felt like a thousand needles piercing my heart.

I took a sip of the bitter coffee. "Is that so."

Seeing me so calm, Sienna leaned in. "You're really not mad? Then Caspian lost the bet. He was sure you'd cry to him."

Caspian's voice came from behind me. "Guess I don't know my fiancée that well. You're actually swallowing black coffee."

He tossed his car keys to Sienna and sat next to me. His cold fingers trailed down my spine. "My princess is growing up? You used to give me the silent treatment for three days over this stuff."

"Aurora isn't that petty," Sienna chimed in with a smile.

Then they actually started arguing over who knew me better.

I sat between them, deaf to it all.

The pen in my hand was shaking. Nausea hit the back of my throat.

They made a bet out of my most precious memory.

My tears were just entertainment to them.

I turned to Caspian slowly. My voice was dead calm. "Caspian, the engagement is off."

The air froze.

Caspian looked at me in shock. "You..."

Before he could finish, Sienna leaned in, playing the peacemaker. "Aurora, don't be mad. Caspian just thought I needed the protection more, since I risk my life for the family. He said he'd buy you the biggest diamond necklace to make it up to you..."

Caspian frowned.

When he looked at me again, his shock had turned into pure rage.

"Enough, Sienna. Don't explain it to her." He stood up sharply, glaring down at me with cold authority. "Aurora, cut the bullshit. Stop pulling these cheap stunts for attention. You're just making a fool of yourself."

He grabbed Sienna and walked away without looking back.

I was left alone at the table.

I dumped the coffee and went back to the penthouse.

It was time to end this.

I pulled out my dusty suitcase and folded my clothes one by one. Every single piece was picked by him, fitting the perfect future Donna of the Rinaldi family.

But they were never really mine.

I had painfully few things that actually belonged to me.

Some college photos, a journal, and my mother's necklace.

The door crashed open.

Caspian stood there, furious. "Aurora, what the hell are you doing?"

"Packing." I didn't look up. "I told you. We're done."

"Done?" He strode over and grabbed my wrist. "You think calling off an engagement is a game? Our families' alliance. The price my father paid for this match. You think you can just walk away?"

His grip was brutal. My wrist throbbed.

"Let go of me."

"No." His eyes flashed dangerously. "Aurora, you're going to give me an explanation right now."

"Explain what?" I finally looked him dead in the eye. "Explain why I'm leaving a man who bets on my tears? Explain why I refuse to be disposable window dressing sitting next to your bloody throne?!"

His grip slowly loosened. His anger faded into something I couldn't read.

"Caspian, I'm tired." My voice was quiet. "Twenty-five years. I lost too much trying to be your perfect fiancée. And now I see that no matter how perfect I am, I'll never beat Sienna in your eyes. She gets your world. She helps you lead. She's your best weapon. And I'm just window dressing."

Saying it out loud felt better than I ever imagined.

The twenty-five-year weight on my chest was finally gone.