Chapter 2

It wasn't until the very end that my mother finally spoke up to persuade me.

"Sweetheart, come back with us to Wexley."

It wasn't the first time she had said it.

Sitting at the edge of the yacht deck, I looked up, meeting her hopeful gaze.

In truth, my father was the Don of Wexley's largest mafia syndicate. I was raised within its ranks, with the understanding that I'd one day inherit the business.

They had hoped I'd stay and gradually take over, but when I entered college, I met Daniel. I left everything behind for him and followed him to Valemont, a city filled with greed and betrayal.

Daniel came from nothing and hated it when anyone brought up his background. To protect his pride, I never told him the truth.

In his eyes, I was just a woman from a struggling neighborhood.

Over the past six years, I worked my way up from the lowest ranks of his syndicate, starting as a grunt. Step by step, I became a recognized member seated at the long table.

Together, we led our division to complete some of the toughest jobs three years in a row. People in the syndicate often joked that we were the deadly duo—ruthless in business and unstoppable in love.

We worked in perfect sync, and I once thought the time had come to finally tell him everything about where I came from. But I never found the right moment.

Now, it didn't matter anymore.

I sighed and whispered, "Alright, I'll go back with you."

Mom's eyes lit up. She and Dad pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Don't worry. Your father's already arranged everything. We won't let you suffer again."

After settling her in, I returned to where Daniel and I lived.

The apartment was still cold and lifeless.

I made a quick pot of pasta and opened Instagram on my phone.

The first thing I saw was a new photo from Emily.

She wore a tight mini dress, smiling sweetly, pressed close against Daniel.

The caption read, "Tricked the stoic boss into playing golf with me. He pretended to be annoyed, but when I said I'd make him roasted lamb ribs at my place, he agreed right away."

Seeing this, I felt my stomach churn.

I knew Daniel wouldn't be coming home tonight, just like so many nights before.

Luckily, we had never even gotten a marriage certificate. It was time to end this relationship for good.

The next morning, I packed my bags and went to the headquarters. I submitted a formal request to leave the syndicate.

The Capo in charge of my division tried to convince me to stay, praising my sharp instincts and stable earnings. He said it was a waste to walk away now.

As he spoke, Daniel walked in with a stack of files in his hand.

I glanced at him. There were clear hickeys on his neck and collarbone. He reeked of that same sweet scent.

It was obvious he had enjoyed his night.

I remembered how he used to hate it when I left marks on him, saying it would ruin his image. Back then, I held myself back for his sake.

It turned out, it wasn't the marks he hated—it was that they came from me.

As soon as he entered, the Capo sighed and gestured toward me.

"Boss, perfect timing. Talk to your girlfriend. She's trying to leave the syndicate. Did you two argue again?"

"It has nothing to do with him," I said.

"You're really quitting?" Daniel asked.

We spoke at the same time.

I could feel his eyes locked on me, his voice tense with restrained anger.

"So this is about me canceling the wedding again?"

The Capo noticed the tension and quietly excused himself.

As soon as the door shut, Daniel stepped forward, his voice rising.

"I already told you, Emily hurt her foot. That's the only reason I canceled the wedding. Why can't you try to understand?"

I stayed calm and answered, "I'm not angry. I've just been exhausted lately and need a break. I want to rest somewhere new."

He frowned in disbelief.

"If you're tired, just take some time off. Why leave the syndicate? You're making it look like this is about Emily. How is she supposed to hold her position here if people think she caused this?"

He had completely forgotten that all my vacation days were spent cleaning up the messes after his canceled weddings.

All he cared about was Emily's reputation.

I said nothing more, but my eyes fell to the hickey on his neck.

He noticed and instinctively raised his hand to cover them.

"It's just a mosquito bite. Don't overthink it."

He tried to explain, but I found it laughable. If it had been before, I would've believed him.

Now, I simply nodded and stayed quiet.

When I didn't explode in anger, he smiled and leaned in, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"There we go. My woman should know how to let things go.

"Come on, no more drama. Tonight, I'll take you to dinner at Per Se. Just let me make it up to you, alright?"

I didn't respond. He assumed my silence was agreement.

I decided not to say goodbye. I didn't want him to know I was leaving Valemont for good.

"Daniel!" Emily burst into the meeting room without knocking, sweetly calling out his name.

Startled, Daniel quickly pulled away from me.

Emily giggled. "Oops, I didn't mean to interrupt. But I really can't figure out this deal."

Without hesitation, he walked over, took her papers, and leaned in close to explain.

She leaned in close, whispering sweetly to him right in front of me, as if I didn't even exist.

When she finished, she wrapped her arm around his and led him out, flashing a smug smile my way before closing the door behind them.

The room fell silent.

The next second, the bracelet on my wrist slipped off and hit the floor.

It was the gift he had given me on our first anniversary. He told me he wanted our relationship to be as strong as the diamonds on it.

I stared at it for a long time before picking up the broken pieces.

Then, I threw it in the trash, along with the last of my feelings for him.