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Chapter 2

Autor: Cocojam
The next second, Orion shot up from his chair, grabbed my waist, and yanked me against him.

“Good girl,” he said, his eyes empty of their earlier warmth. “Take it back. Make a new wish.”

His fingers tightened. I could feel the heat of his palm, the threat hidden beneath.

This was Orion Corvo. The King of Chicago.

The gentleman was a mask. Underneath, it was all control. All possession.

“Make a new wish,” he growled, forcing me to look at him. “Say you’ll never leave me.”

I knew he wouldn’t let me go easily. Arguing now would only make things worse for me.

I pushed down the storm of emotions inside me and forced a smile.

“I was just kidding. How could I ever leave you?”

His grip loosened, but he didn’t let go.

“That’s better.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “You’re mine, Evangeline. Always.”

I nodded, playing the part of the obedient girl.

The next day, I went to his office. Orion was buried in paperwork, stacks of contracts waiting for his signature.

“These need your signature too.” I slipped the termination contract into the stack and handed it to him.

He didn't even look up, just started signing, his black fountain pen leaving a powerful scrawl on each page.

When he signed the last one, I discreetly pulled my contract from the bottom.

From now on, I had no legal ties to the Corvo family.

I was no longer his art appraiser.

For five years, I had used my talent for art and my fluency in eight languages to travel the world with him.

From ancient castles in Florence to private auctions in Tokyo. From the black markets of Paris to lavish exhibitions in Dubai.

Every treasure passed through my hands. Every multi-million-dollar deal had my mark on it.

But now, it was all over.

“Are you free tonight?” Orion put down his pen and finally looked at me.

“What did you have in mind?”

“I want to take you to a concert.” He stood and walked toward me. “The principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony. He’s playing just for you.”

I froze. He remembered the cello was my favorite.

“Just the two of us?”

“Of course.” He kissed the back of my hand. “My girl deserves the best.”

That evening, we arrived at a private concert hall.

The entire venue was lit just for us. On stage, the world-class cellist was playing a soulful rendition of “The Swan.”

The music was beautiful. And it broke my heart.

After the performance, we stepped outside. The night air was cool, and Orion draped his suit jacket over my shoulders.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance.

Sienna Rossi.

A cascade of fiery red curls, a black evening gown that clung to her slim waist, a diamond necklace glittering at her throat.

I had seen her in my past life, too.

Back then, she was Orion’s ex-fiancée. They had called it off quickly and never spoken again.

But now…

“Orion, what a coincidence.” Sienna’s voice was sweet as honey. “How was the show?”

“Not bad,” Orion replied, his tone flat.

Sienna’s gaze shifted to me, looking me up and down.

“You must be the little De Luca princess. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Her smile was perfect, but I saw the challenge in her eyes.

“Actually, I helped arrange this concert,” Sienna continued. “The cellist and I are old friends.”

I glanced at Orion. His expression didn’t change.

“Thank you,” I said politely.

“Don’t mention it.” Sienna’s smile widened. “After all, Orion and I… we go way back.”

The implication was clear. My stomach tightened.

“I’m just going to the restroom,” I said, needing an escape.

As I walked away, I heard Sienna’s voice behind me.

“I’ve heard all about you two. But really, once we’re married… do you think she’ll be okay with sharing?”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

Orion’s voice was casual, arrogant. “Her? She’s obsessed with me. She’d do anything to stay by my side.”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I bit my lip so hard I could taste blood, my nails digging into my palms.

For five years, I thought I was his only one.

I gave up my education in Europe, gave up the debutante life my family planned for me, all to follow him into his world of blood and danger.

And now I knew the truth. I was just another piece in his collection.

My hands trembling, I pulled out my burner phone and dialed a number.

“It’s me.”

“Miss?” The voice on the other end was surprised.

“I need to be out of the country in ten days,” I said, my voice so cold it scared even me. “Get me to Switzerland. And make sure the Corvos never find me.”

“Understood.”

I hung up and took a deep, shaky breath.

My own countdown had begun.

This time, it would be a real rebirth.
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  • Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride   Chapter 18

    Orion’s POVThree months later, Chicago.The Corvo estate was a ghost of its former self. Weeds choked the gardens. The fountains ran dry. The once heavily guarded gates were now manned by a few listless guards.In the office, I sat alone in the dark.The desk was littered with empty liquor bottles. The room reeked of whiskey.I hadn’t shaved in three days. My shirt was a wrinkled mess, my eyes were bloodshot. I was a caged animal.“Evangeline…” I whispered to the empty room, my voice a raw rasp. “Why… why won’t you come back…”The war with the Rossi family had cost me dearly. Three of my key territories were gone. Half of my inner circle were dead or wounded. My money was about to run out.But I didn’t care about any of it.I just wanted her back.“Boss,” Marco came in and shook his head at the sight. “You can’t go on like this.”“Get out,” I said without looking up.“The Rossis hit another one of our warehouses. The losses are—”“I said, get out!” I shot to my feet and hurled a glass

  • Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride   Chapter 17

    Orion’s POVIn the garden outside the church, Leo’s men pinned me to the ground.Fists rained down on me, each punch carrying three years of pent-up rage.“Let’s teach you some manners!”“You think you can cause trouble at a De Luca wedding?”“Go crawl back to Chicago!”Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. My face was on fire, but my eyes were still locked on the church.I could hear the applause and cheers from inside.It was done.She was married.To another man.Ten minutes later, the guards finally stopped.They left me in a heap on the muddy ground outside the estate, my expensive suit torn and ruined, my face a mess of bruises.I struggled to my feet, the pain so intense I could barely stand.But I stood.I had to wait for her.I had to ask her, to her face, if she really had forgotten everything.Twenty minutes later, the church doors opened again.The bride and groom emerged in a shower of flower petals.Evangeline had changed into a champagne-colored gown. She was still

  • Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride   Chapter 16

    Orion’s POVLong Island, Sacred Heart Church.The century-old Gothic church was a fairytale of white roses and crystal chandeliers.I stood outside, watching the guests stream in.New York’s high society. Politicians, tycoons.Not a single mobster among them.“Sir, your invitation, please,” a polite attendant stopped me at the door.I scowled. “I’m Orion Corvo.”The attendant checked the list, a troubled look on her face. “I’m sorry, sir, your seat is… over there.”She pointed to the last row, in the darkest corner of the church.I let out a cold laugh.Leo was doing this on purpose.It didn’t matter. As long as I could see Evangeline, it was all worth it.I strode into the church and took my seat in the shadows.I was surrounded by strangers. No one spoke to me.Leo had clearly given his orders.I didn’t care. My eyes were fixed on the altar.I imagined Evangeline walking down the aisle in a white bridesmaid dress, and my heart began to pound.Three years. I was finally going to see h

  • Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride   Chapter 15

    Orion’s POVChicago.In the office of the Corvo estate, I sat behind a massive oak desk, my face a thundercloud.Three years. For three damn years, my empire had been crumbling in a war with the Rossi family.And my world was already in ruins.I had used every intelligence network I had, turned over every stone in the world, but I couldn’t find a single trace of her.She had vanished, leaving me with nothing but endless regret and a gnawing, soul-deep longing.I thought I was going insane, rotting away in this endless wait.Just then, Marco pushed the door open, a rare look of excitement on his face.“Boss, we have news.”I shot up, my eyes flashing with the first spark of light they’d seen in three years.“Is it her?”“Not exactly,” Marco said, cautiously placing a copy of the New York Times on my desk. “It’s a wedding announcement from the De Luca family.”My heart hammered against my ribs. A spark of hope in the wreckage of my life.For three years, this was the first—the only—clue

  • Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride   Chapter 14

    Evangeline’s POV“I’ve already made dinner reservations,” Leo said, heading for the car.But Julian shook his head. “Leo, I’d like to take Evangeline somewhere first.”“Where?” I asked, curious.“A surprise. For you.” A smile played on his lips, his eyes full of anticipation. “If you don’t mind.”Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a discreet building in Manhattan.It looked like a private residence, with no signs on the door.Julian led me inside and pressed the elevator button.“What is this place?”“You’ll see.”The moment the elevator doors opened, I held my breath.It wasn’t just a gallery. It was a private museum. The scale was staggering.Soaring ceilings, perfect lighting, and a collection that made my heart race.Monet’s Water Lilies series. Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. And a da Vinci manuscript I had never seen before.“Oh my god…” I couldn’t help but walk toward the paintings.Every single one was museum-quality. A priceless treasure.“Do you like it?” Julian a

  • Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride   Chapter 13

    Evangeline’s POVThree years later.Lake Zurich.“Congratulations, Ms. E. You’ve broken another auction record.”My assistant handed me a glass of champagne, his eyes filled with awe.I had just acquired a long-lost Leonardo da Vinci manuscript for twenty million euros.The entire European art world was buzzing about the mysterious buyer known only as “E.”No one knew who she was, only that her eye was flawless, her connections were deep, and she could get her hands on any treasure she desired.“Prepare the jet,” I said, my voice calm and final. “We’re returning to New York. Tomorrow.”“Yes, ma’am.”Three years.I had built my own art investment empire in Switzerland, becoming Europe’s most mysterious and powerful collector.But now, it was time to go back.Back to the country that had broken my heart. But this time, as someone new.That evening, I called my brother.“Leo, it’s me.”“Eva!” His voice was full of surprise. “You’ve finally decided?”“Mmm, it’s time to come home.” I looked

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