Chapter 1

My phone lit up with a message from the hotel's event manager.

"Ms. Cartani, Mr. Kingsley just asked us to change the bride's name to Serena. Are you sure you want to cancel your wedding arrangements?"

"Yes, I'm sure," I texted back. Then I looked up at the man in front of me, who was still trying to explain himself.

He frowned, as if he couldn't make sense of how calm I was.

"Flora, I know you're upset. But this time, Serena's mother is dying.

"Her last wish is to see Serena in a wedding dress. This is life and death, Flora."

His jaw was tight. His tone left no room for argument.

The first time, he'd pushed back my dress fitting so he could walk Serena through creating a PowerPoint presentation.

The second time was Serena's graduation. He said it was a once-in-a-lifetime event he couldn't miss, so he postponed our engagement party.

The third time, Serena called him in tears. She said someone was following her and she was too scared to go out alone. He rushed to her side. By the time he was sure she was safe, it was already too late for our wedding ceremony.

Over the past six months, this same drama had played out more times than I could count. Every time, he had an excuse. Every time, it was supposedly urgent.

But when it came to me, there was always plenty of time.

"Can't someone else be her groom?"

"It's only for show." Alan sighed. "I'll explain everything to the guests afterward."

I looked at him. "Does the show include exchanging rings, hugging, and kissing?"

"It's part of the ceremony." Alan looked annoyed. "Can't you be a little more understanding?

"We'll have our wedding next week. Okay?" he said wearily, gently taking my hand.

I slowly pulled my hand back.

I'd loved him for ten years.

We'd worked side by side to turn an ordinary wedding agency into an internationally known planning company.

I remembered how he'd run to me, grinning with pride, after landing his first project.

I remembered him lying in a pool of blood after protecting me, still calling my name.

And I remembered the day his business took off. He'd gotten drunk, wrapped his arms around me, and said, "Flora, I love you. I can finally give you a good life."

Once he became successful, everyone said my patience had finally paid off.

But all I'd done was build a future for someone else to enjoy.

Ever since Serena returned after graduation, I'd lost count of how many times he'd asked me to step aside for her.

I'd cried and fought with him. But in the end, his promises always won me over.

He knew how much the wedding meant to me. Yet when he had to choose between us, he chose Serena and left me behind.

I scoffed and turned to leave.

Just then, a frail figure came into view.

Serena stumbled through the glass doors of the venue, almost falling.

"Flora, I'm sorry I have to borrow your wedding tomorrow." Serena stood beside Alan, her face pale, and offered an apology that sounded anything but sincere.

It was her usual trick: act helpless and win everyone's sympathy.

"My mom is dying. The doctor says she won't make it through the month. Seeing me in a wedding dress is her only wish."

"So you stole my groom?" I shot back.

Serena's eyes instantly welled up.

"No, I'm only borrowing..."

"Tomorrow, we'll tell everyone it's a planning showcase. No one will take it seriously." Alan stepped in front of Serena. "Do you have to be so unreasonable?"

"I'm unreasonable? What about her?" I'd spent six months planning this wedding and had designed the dress myself. Now, because of her mother's last wish, I was supposed to hand it all over.

When Alan saw how upset I was, his expression hardened.

"You're not like Serena. Stop making a scene!"

I stared at him in disbelief, and something inside me shattered.

Alan looked pained, and his voice softened. "Serena and I grew up together. She's like a little sister to me. Do you really have to make things this ugly over one small favor?

"Next week, I'll give you an even bigger wedding. Trust me, okay?"

He seemed to think a few sweet words would make me forgive him, the way they always had.

But he'd forgotten that even the strongest love wears thin after one hurt too many.

"Don't bother."

I pushed him away and turned to leave, but he pulled me back against him.

"Flora, it's just a ceremony. You're the only one who'll ever be my wife.

"Just this once, let me help Serena. Okay?"

He sighed as if I were the heartless one.

I was so angry I laughed. I pulled off my engagement ring and tossed it to Serena. "Here. I don't want the groom anymore. You can have the ring too.

"You two can get married!" I walked out of the venue without looking back.

"Flora!" Alan shouted after me, and behind him, I could hear Serena quietly sobbing.

But he didn't come after me.

As soon as I walked out of the hotel, I called Grandpa. "Grandpa, the wedding's off. You... don't need to come."

The line went quiet for a few seconds. Then Grandpa answered, his voice stern but full of concern.

"Flora, did someone hurt you?"

The composure I'd fought to keep crumbled.

Tears slid down my face before I could stop them.

"Alan stood me up again. Serena's mother is dying, so he wants me to give her our wedding."

Choking back tears, I told him everything, including every time I'd given in over the past six months.

On the other end, I heard his cane strike the floor hard.

Everyone in the North American underworld knew what it meant when the Don struck the floor with his cane: a storm was coming.

"I warned you long ago." Grandpa's voice turned cold. "That boy Alan seems gentle and refined, but he has no backbone and can't stay faithful. Our Italian men know how to treat a woman. They'd never let their girl suffer like this!

"Now listen to me. Come home."

Those two words, come home, eased the ache in my heart.

I wiped away my tears, and when I spoke again, my voice was steady.

"Okay. I'll be home tomorrow."