2

I read those records over and over, sitting alone in the bedroom the entire night.

Early the next morning I drove back to the Moretti estate.

I said to my brother Matteo, the Don of the Moretti Family, "I'm canceling the wedding.

"And get a lawyer to draw up divorce papers for me."

Matteo raised an eyebrow.

"You've thought it through?"

"I've thought it through."

Matteo looked at how serious my face was and finally set down his pen.

"Five years ago I was against you marrying Alex in secret, but I respected what you wanted.

"So tell me what changed your mind."

I unlocked my phone and set it on his desk.

"Alex had a wedding with his adopted sister in New York."

Matteo went quiet. He didn't look at my phone.

"Understood. I'll notify the Family that the wedding is off.

"You'll have the papers in five minutes."

It didn't even take five. The Family lawyer put the divorce agreement in my hands.

Matteo even pressed the Family's wax seal into the paper.

That was his answer.

With that done, I took the thin stack of divorce papers back to the Castellano estate.

There were still things of mine there.

I was in the middle of packing when my phone buzzed.

It was Alex.

He'd sent me a message.

"Finally wrapped things up here. Heading home. Miss me?"

Attached was a slightly blurry photo of him with his suitcase in hand.

I didn't answer. I just stared at the slender arm that had accidentally slipped into the frame.

On the ring finger of that hand was a ruby ring.

It had a vintage cut and a rose-gold setting.

I had seen that ring in the portraits of every Donna the Castellano Family had ever had.

At a family dinner once, Lilith had suddenly turned to me, smiling.

"Valeria, you've been with Alex so long. How come I've never seen you wear the ruby ring the Castellanos pass down to every Donna?"

I froze for a second, then glanced at Alex without meaning to.

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot."

Lilith clapped a hand over her mouth, all theater, as if the answer had just come to her.

"You two never had a wedding, so of course there was never a ring exchange."

Alex put down his knife and fork.

"Don't talk nonsense. The setting just doesn't suit Valeria.

"I'll pick out the best diamond in the world for her. Something that actually matches her."

And now that ruby ring was on Lilith's hand.

I didn't hold it in. I asked Alex straight out whose hand that was.

Alex answered fast.

"Oh, that's Lilith. She insisted on tagging along to North America this time."

I didn't reply. I went back to packing.

A moment later Alex called.

"Valeria, are you upset about something?"

"No."

Then he noticed the suitcase in front of me and frowned.

"What are you packing?"

I answered him calmly.

"Just a few things that aren't any use to you anymore.

"When do you get in?"

I changed the subject before he could push.

Alex laughed, his eyes bright with anticipation.

"Tomorrow morning. I won't be late for our wedding.

"Valeria, you've been handling the whole thing alone. You must be exhausted."

I was quiet for a moment before I spoke.

"I'm fine."

"You look worn out. I can't wait to get home and hold you.

"Oh, one of the people running things over here got married this week. I brought you back a gift so some of the luck rubs off on you."

He held up a delicate little box to the camera to show me.

I looked at him for a while, then smiled.

"All right."

"Valeria, sorry, I'm borrowing your Alex for a bit!"

Lilith ducked into the frame and shot me a look full of challenge.

Alex shrugged at me.

"You know how Lilith is.

"Valeria, if there's nothing else I'll hang up. See you tomorrow."

"Wait, Alex."

I stopped him, my face serious.

"Is there anything you're keeping from me?"

"No."

He answered instantly.

"Valeria, I've never told you a single lie."

I hung up and took a deep breath.

I had planned to tell everyone the wedding was off in a dignified way, to leave him some face.

Not anymore.