Chapter 2

A powerful gust of wind swept through the shattered window, sending rain and debris rushing into the apartment.

I took a deep breath and immediately pushed a storage cabinet against the broken window to serve as a makeshift barrier.

After arranging for someone to come repair the damage the following morning, I finally called Kane again.

It took several rings before he answered. My voice was taut with urgency. “Kane, the hurricane shattered the windows in my apartment! There’s broken glass everywhere, and rainwater is pouring inside!”

Before I could finish, Kane cut me off. His tone was laced with impatience. “It’s just a broken window. What’s the big deal? Don’t make such a fuss over nothing. Just clean it up a little. This sort of thing is pretty common during a hurricane.”

Standing in the middle of my wrecked living room, I finally let go of the last pathetic thread of hope I had been clinging to.

“Kane, I’m holding a meeting next Wednesday. When the time comes, you—”

Before I could finish, a woman’s tearful voice suddenly interrupted me. “Kane, the thunder outside is so loud. I’m scared…”

Kane’s tone immediately turned urgent. “Don’t be afraid. It’s only thunder. You’re perfectly safe inside.”

Vera sounded even more distressed. “But the lightning just flashed, and the shadows of the trees outside looked so frightening. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you here.”

He let out a low chuckle, his voice filled with helpless affection. “Honestly, you’re old enough to know better. You’re still this scared of a little thunder? Stay away from the windows and sit on the couch like a good girl. I’ll keep you company for a while. You’ll feel better.”

Every word I had been about to say caught in my throat.

It was only then that I finally understood. Despite seven years together, my relationship with Kane had ultimately lost to Vera.

Three years ago, Vera’s brother had brought her to meet Kane. Back then, whenever Kane mentioned her, his words were always laced with irritation.

During one supply transfer operation, Vera had gotten the rendezvous point wrong, nearly leading the entire team into an ambush.

On another occasion, her hand had trembled while handing Kane a cigar at a formal banquet, spilling ash all over his suit jacket.

For a long time, Kane could not even mention Vera without frowning and sighing in exasperation.

It was not until her brother’s funeral that I met Vera for the first time. She stood before his grave, weeping so hard that she could barely remain on her feet.

Kane, the Don who ruled the underworld with an iron fist and commanded the respect of even the most ruthless men, did something no one expected.

In front of his most trusted family members and subordinates, he actually crouched down and gently comforted her.

At the time, I sensed that something was not quite right, though I could not put my finger on it.

Only now did I understand. The look in his eyes had been filled with tenderness and affection.

His feelings for Vera had long since crossed the boundaries of what was appropriate for a man looking after his deceased benefactor’s sister.

In the years that followed, I made a point of arranging our schedules with Kane well in advance. Yet every single time, something would suddenly come up with Vera.

Every single time, Kane would cancel the plans we had already made. One incident after another, and one exception after another, all made for Vera. I had seen every bit of the preferential treatment he gave her.

I once asked him outright whether he had developed feelings for her. He paused for a moment before scoffing at the very idea.

“Of course not. Vera is so fussy and clumsy. She can’t do anything right. Her brother died taking a fatal hit meant for me. Looking after her is nothing more than repaying a debt of gratitude.”

Back then, I actually believed him.

I could not remember exactly when I had finally drifted off to sleep. All I remembered was a long, exhausting dream that seemed to go on forever.

When I opened my eyes again, the storm had passed, and daylight streamed through the windows.

I walked into the kitchen and was just about to prepare breakfast when I heard the front door open.

Kane stepped inside. The moment he saw me, he let out a sigh of relief, looking every bit like a man who had been worried sick.

“Why did the call suddenly disconnect yesterday? I was planning to stay at Vera’s for the next few days, but I couldn’t stop worrying about you, so I came back early. Are you all right?”

My expression remained impassive as I replied, “I’m fine.”

He nodded, then hesitated for a moment, looking somewhat reluctant to bring up what was on his mind.

“By the way, you mentioned a meeting next Wednesday. I assume it’s just a private gathering of ours, right? I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it.”

I looked up at him, my expression unreadable. “Why not?”

He heaved a sigh, looking thoroughly helpless.

“Next Wednesday is the anniversary of Vera's brother’s death. She breaks down every year on that day, and I’m worried she won’t be able to handle it alone. Carl died because of me. Under the circumstances, I have to be there for her.”

My nails dug into my palms as I forced myself to remain calm. “But next Wednesday’s meeting is important.”

It was the highest-level council meeting of the entire family, one that would determine whether he retained his position as Don. How could it possibly be anything less than important?

However, Kane cut me off without hesitation, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

“The dead deserve our respect. Vera has no one else now. I can’t just leave her to deal with this alone. It’s only a private gathering on your end. You can postpone it or cancel it. It’s no big deal.”

He let out a sigh. His voice was gentle, but there was a dismissive note beneath the tenderness.

“I know I’ve let you down. I’ve already arranged for someone to buy the jewelry set you admired at the auction. Consider it an apology. Once things settle down, I’ll make it up to you by throwing you a separate birthday celebration. How does that sound?”

Vera was nothing more than the younger sister of a deceased subordinate. I was the woman who had stood by his side for seven years, his fiancée.

I wanted to say those words, but in the end, I swallowed them.

I had not slept well the night before, and a dull ache was throbbing at my temples. I rubbed my forehead and answered in a flat voice.

“Fine. Go ahead.”

His face immediately brightened. “I knew you’d understand.”

His phone rang at just the right moment. He picked it up and hurried out of the apartment before answering.

“Yeah, she’s already agreed. I’ll come over next week and keep you company…”

Watching him walk away without so much as a backward glance, I took out my phone and sent my father a message.

[Father, you’ve never approved of Kane, have you? Back then, you even wanted to introduce me to the Don of the Berner family. The timing couldn’t be better. Let’s arrange for us to meet next Wednesday.]