Chapter 2

Adrianna’s POV

I went back to the home Marco and I shared after I was discharged from the hospital. I needed time—to heal, to pack, and to gather every contract from his casino that I had helped secure.

People think growing up in an orphanage is the hardest part of my story. It wasn’t. I fought my way into business school, earned my degree in data analysis, and built everything I could from nothing.

And then I built Marco. From his early days running small drug deals, to managing a modest casino laundering money for lower-tier crews, to the empire he runs now—I was there. I won’t take all the credit, but at least sixty percent of what he is today… that was me.

Without me, Marco would still be hustling on the streets, not sitting at the table as the newest mafia head.

And without my father’s investment six months ago, his casino would have never even opened.

So as soon as I decided to leave Marco, I also decided to take everything I gave him with me.

Marco didn’t come home for another week.

Then today, just as I was clearing out my closet, I heard the front door open.

“Adrianna! I’m home!”

I stepped out.

Marco stood by the door, holding a large bouquet and a designer shopping bag.

“Babe, sorry I missed our anniversary dinner. Had to close a deal,” he said easily. “But look—I got you that necklace. Heard the girls at the casino talking about it, so I bought it for you.”

The same routine: Throw money at me, buy something expensive, smooth everything over.

Marco had done it so many times I’d lost count. And before… I believed him. I thought he was busy, not careless, that even when he missed our moments, I was still on his mind.

But now… after learning the truth about us, I realized it had all been nothing more than a performance.

He set the flowers and bag down, then walked toward me, reaching for a hug. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

I stepped back, avoiding him. “Nothing. My wound still hurts.”

Marco froze. “Wound? What wound?”

“Masked men broke into the house on our anniversary,” I said calmly. “I tried to call you, but you—”

His face drained of color. “I’m sorry, babe, I didn’t know… I—”

“No worries.” I turned away. I didn’t want to see him pretend anymore.

Just saying it out loud made everything come rushing back—the blood, the pain, the baby I lost.

I swallowed hard.

I hadn’t even decided whether to tell Marco or not. I thought, what was the point of telling him? He didn’t care about me. Why would he care about our child?

I picked up my phone. The gossip tab I’d been reading earlier lit up again—photos of Marco and Bianca in Hawaii, taken over the past few days.

Marco stepped closer behind me. He must have seen it. He reached over, frowned, and shut off my screen.

“Don’t listen to that nonsense,” he said. “There’s nothing between me and Bianca.”

“They said you proposed to her,” I replied lightly, watching him.

He didn’t even hesitate.

“No,” he said with a small laugh. “I was just trying to secure a deal with her father. The Conti—biggest mafia family in the country. If our casino gets their backing, no one would dare touch us. The money alone—people will be lining up to throw it at us.”

‘Our casino’, the words made my stomach turn.

Marco reached for my hand, catching it before I could pull away. “Anna, Bianca and I—we had a past, but it’s over. Then I met you. I love you. Can you believe me? Everything I’m doing is for us—for our casino. You’re the one I’ll build a family with. The rest doesn’t matter. Once her father signs the contract, I’ll end this with her. It’s nothing.”

I looked up, meeting his eyes. “What about me, Marco? What about us? If people found out, what would they think of our relationship? Have you ever considered how I feel? What does that make me—your mistress? A secret you’re ashamed of? Or are we already over?”

Six years couldn’t be erased overnight. I told myself I’d turn cold, that I’d stop caring—but a small part of me still hoped something between us had been real, that the man I loved wasn’t completely worthless.

But I already knew what I didn’t want to hear.

“Can you do this for me, Anna? Please.”

The same words. Every time.

When he hid me from the world—Can you do this for me?

When he shut me out of deals I built—Can you not do this for me?

And now, after everything… after the lies, the betrayal, the blood— Can you do this for me?

I said nothing.

Marco’s smile slowly faded. “Out of everyone, I thought you understood me the most.”

His voice softened, turning coaxing. “Nothing we have was given—it was earned. Every move matters. Just this once, Anna. After Bianca’s birthday, once the contract is signed, I’ll end it. It’ll just be business.”

Marco was right about one thing—every move mattered.

He just chose the wrong person to play this game with.

I stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, I nodded.

If this was what you wanted, Marco… I’d let you have it. Just don’t come back regretting it.

Marco’s face lit up instantly. “I knew you were the best.”

He finally let go of my hand, bent to pick up the shopping bag, and took out the necklace. Moving behind me, he fastened it gently around my neck.

“Happy our seventh anniversary, Adrianna Russo. To many more years.”

The metal felt cold against my skin, almost suffocating.

There would be no more years for us, Marco. And my name… was never Adrianna Russo. It was Adrianna Conti.

“Babe, I—” Marco’s phone rang. He answered without hesitation.

A woman’s voice came through, trembling. “Please… I’m scared. I need you. Right now.”

Marco’s tone softened instantly. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”

He hung up and turned to me. “It’s Bianca. She ran into trouble at a club. She didn’t know who else to call.”

I looked away.

“I have to go, babe. Don’t wait up.” He grabbed his jacket and rushed out.

I had been about to tell him to go. After all… I was supposed to understand, wasn’t I?

The door shut, and silence filled the room again.

I reached up, took off the necklace, and dropped it back into the bag.

Everything about Marco—his touch, his voice, even his presence—made me sick.

I turned and walked back to the closet. There was still so much to finish.