Chapter 1

Cecilia Laurent ignored the subtle glances people threw her way across the banquet hall. She did not feel a thing.

It did not matter what people thought.

She only wanted to get through tonight and end her marriage once and for all.

After the banquet, Cecilia carried the sleeping Isabella Melville back to the children’s room. She tucked her in carefully and then went alone to the study in the main building.

When she opened the door, Lyon Melville’s mother, Margaret Halloway, was sitting by the fireplace. Her expression was grim, as if she had known Cecilia would come.

“Cecilia…” Margaret stood up. She looked at her apologetically. “Lyon went too far tonight. When he comes back, I’ll make him explain things to you.”

Cecilia shook her head gently.

“Madre, I’m not here for an explanation tonight.”

Margaret froze for a moment.

“Five years ago, my mother was critically ill in Poston. The hospital suddenly stopped the special treatment she needed. You used the Melville family’s Eropean medical network and arranged for a private plane to deliver it to Ameria overnight. Without you, my mother wouldn’t have made it to surgery.

“You know that before he passed, my father worked as a legal advisor on insurance and estate matters for several Italise-Amerian shipping families on the East Coast. My mother ran a restoration foundation.

“In earlier years, the Melville family handled Eropean trade lines, church hospital donations, and art custodianship. They had frequent dealings with our family.

“Later, at a charity auction in Balermo, I spotted a religious painting with a questionable origin for my father. I helped my father and the old Don avoid a federal investigation into cultural property. After that, you and the old Don both said I had the judgment and restraint the Melville family lacked.

“Then, you told me that Lyon’d only listen to me. You asked if I wanted to marry into the family and help bring him back on the right path. I agreed. I never forgot your favor. That’s why I stayed, even after he cheated again and again. But I’ve repaid what I could.”

The study went quiet.

Margaret’s eyes were teary. She reached for Cecilia’s cold fingers. Her voice caught as she said, “I’m the one who brought you into this. I thought Lyon’d actually settle down for you.”

Cecilia took a document from her bag and pushed it gently toward her.

“I want a divorce,” she said. “I also want custody of Isabella.”

Margaret looked at the paper and was silent for a long moment. Finally, she closed her eyes.

“All right,” she said softly. “I’ll help you handle it.”

Cecilia nodded and turned to leave.

Just as she touched the doorknob, Margaret said from behind her in a husky voice, “He was the one who knelt in front of me back then and said he’d only ever marry you.”

Cecilia stopped.

She remembered it clearly.

Back then, Lyon cut ties with several of his former lovers for her and personally handed her the list.

On the night he proposed, he cleared out the entire family building, leaving only the two of them.

He said, “Cecilia, I can’t give you an ordinary life, but I can pass everything I have in your hands.”

She truly believed him at the time.

But genuine love was the most fickle thing in the world.

When Cecilia returned to her bedroom, her phone lit up.

They were texts from Lyon.

[I’m at the Gates of Hell. The club you tipped off to the ATF last month. The one that got the underground casino shut down.]

[Room V999. If you really want to check up on me, come now.]

[And bring a box of condoms.]