Chapter 9

The day after the interrogation, I came down with a raging fever.

For a full week, I was in and out of consciousness in a private hospital bed. A nurse told me my temperature had spiked to 106 degrees several times. They'd almost lost me.

Dante never came.

On the day I was discharged, a family elder informed me there was an important underground auction that night. He said I had to attend with Dante.

I wanted to refuse, but his words left me no choice. "This is about the family's honor, Elara. Whatever is going on between you two, in public, you are still man and wife."

Man and wife.

The words were a bitter joke.

Just as I finished changing into my gown, my lawyer called.

"Mrs. Moretti, I have wonderful news," he said, his voice buzzing with excitement. "The divorce is finalized. All the paperwork has been filed with the court. You can officially announce it whenever you're ready."

My hand holding the phone trembled.

Freedom. It was finally within my grasp.

The auction was in another abandoned factory. Places like this were usually safe, protected by a truce between the major players. But tonight, someone had broken the rules.

Shortly after I arrived, the sound of gunfire erupted outside.

"We're under attack! Everyone get out!"

The place descended into chaos. People screamed and scattered.

My instincts, honed by years of living this life, made me look for Dante.

He was nearby, calmly directing his men to form a defensive line. His eyes met mine, and a complex emotion flickered across his face.

Just then, Ava came running from the side.

"Dante! Help me!" she shrieked, her voice filled with terror. "I'm hurt!"

I saw a shallow scratch on her arm, probably from the panicking crowd.

But Ava acted like she was dying, collapsing dramatically into Dante's arms.

"It hurts…" she whispered weakly. "Dante, I'm so scared…"

Dante looked down at her, and his expression instantly softened.

"It's okay, I'll protect you," he murmured, stroking her hair. He turned to one of his men. "Get a car ready. We're taking her to the hospital."

He scooped her up and started for the exit.

As he passed me, he hesitated. "Wait here. I'll be back for you."

"Okay," I said, giving him a small smile. It was the last smile I would ever give him. "I'll wait."

Of course, I wouldn't. I had no more expectations.

Dante disappeared with Ava into the chaos.

I was about to find my own way out when a group of Rosetti family thugs blocked my path.

"Elara Moretti," the leader said with a cruel grin. "Our boss wants a word with you."

They tied me up in a deserted warehouse. The leader pulled out his phone and dialed Dante's number.

Once, twice, three times…

No answer.

"Damn it!" the man cursed, dialing again.

I sat on the chair, watching his growing frustration with a strange sense of calm.

Dante was busy with the love of his life. He didn't have time to answer his phone.

After the tenth call went unanswered, the leader exploded. "What the hell is that bastard doing!"

"He's at the hospital with his girlfriend," I said calmly. "You grabbed the wrong person. To Dante Moretti, I'm worthless."

The leader stared at me. "Impossible. You're his wife!"

"Ex-wife," I corrected. In that split second of his confusion, I used the piece of wire I'd concealed to slice through the ropes on my wrists.

My training hadn't gone to waste. I broke free, snatched a gun from the nearest guard, and took them all out before they knew what was happening.

I walked out of the warehouse and called my own security. "Pick me up."

While I waited, an unexpected person arrived—Dante. He looked frantic, his clothes disheveled.

But I was no longer the Elara who melted at his scraps of affection.

He saw that I was unharmed, and a look of relief washed over his face. "Elara, I'm late. I was coming right back for you, but Ava… she really needed me…"

"It's fine. I'm okay, aren't I?" I said with a smile, cutting him off.

My calmness seemed to throw him.

He tried again. "My phone died. I didn't abandon you on purpose. And the other day, in the Penance Room… it wasn't my order to keep you there longer. I've already dealt with the man who did it…"

I nodded, feeling no relief. "I see."

Dante looked lost. "Elara…"

My car pulled up.

I got in, then looked back at Dante one last time. "I have a gift for you. Make sure you're watching the sky tonight."

And then, I was gone.

I didn't go home. I called my lawyer.

"Execute the plan," I said, my voice firmer than it had ever been. "Do it now."

At exactly midnight, every electronic billboard in downtown Chicago lit up at once.

Giant red letters blazed against the night sky:

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELARA ROMANO AND DANTE MORETTI ON THEIR DIVORCE! FINALLY FREE!