LOGINThe night my family’s rival gang stormed the mafia ball, I was taken as leverage. My boyfriend, Nolan, and my closest friend, Riven, stood only steps away. But they chose to shield my cousin, Anna, instead. I was being saved by a secret man hours later—bruised, shaken, and already forgotten. No one asked what had been done to me. Nolan only said, “Anna was scared. She needed us more.” Days later, Anna invited me to her birthday party. I went out of courtesy—only to watch her cast me as the villain of her story. Nolan and Luca stood by her, protecting her again. That night, I said yes to the marriage alliance my family had prepared years ago. When I left the city, Nolan finally texted—angry, wounded, offended. “You’re really leaving?" I replied with just one line. “You’re more than welcome to my wedding.”
View MoreAstra’s POVLife in Rome had been good.Papa had started handing over parts of the business to me, especially the casino arm. More than once, he reminded me, “I didn’t marry you off to Silas because I saw you as a bargaining chip. I let you marry him because I knew he was the right one. And if you’re going to be with someone like Silas Monroe, you need to be just as strong.”I couldn’t agree more.So I took the reins. The casino thrived under my management. Silas never once suggested I slow down or take the easier path. He believed in me. Just like I believed in myself.This morning, as I rolled out of bed, I realized something—I hadn’t opened the wedding gifts.Silas and I had gone straight to our honeymoon after the ceremony. Then I dove headfirst into work. The boxes had just… sat.I wandered down the hall to the room where the staff had stored everything.There were stacks of elegant wrapping, boxes of expensive china, luxury décor, jewelry sets.But two boxes stood out immediately
Nolan’s POVEven after being banished by Astra and her family, Riven and I didn’t leave Rome. We planned to stay—at least until her wedding day.On our tenth day here, we ran into Silas Monroe. Astra’s fiancé.Though I doubted it was a coincidence. Rumor had it Silas owned half of Italy.“So you’re Nolan Cross,” he said, his gaze steady, sizing me up.Riven, standing beside me, stepped forward. “Riven Holt. Astra’s childhood best friend.”Silas shook his hand politely, then turned his full attention back to me.“I did some reading on the two of you.” His smile was pleasant, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “And I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from Astra. She might look strong, but I’ve noticed... she always seems unsettled after seeing you.”“You—” Riven started, but I raised a hand to stop him.“Mr. Monroe,” I said, keeping my voice even, “How Astra and I get along is none of your business. We’ve known each other for twenty years. Nothing changes that.”Silas’s smile didn’t budge. “
Astra’s POVI hadn’t seen Silas Monroe since arriving in Rome. It wasn’t entirely a bad thing, considering I wasn’t sure how I felt about seeing him again. All I knew was that part of me felt deeply grateful.If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here—alive and breathing.“Astra! An important guest for you!” my mother called from down the hall.My thoughts snapped back to the present.I heard footsteps echoing on the marble. In less than ten seconds, the man from that night stepped through the door.Silas Monroe.Same sharp suit. Same confident stride. And that smile…“Miss Quinn,” he greeted as he crossed the room and offered me the bouquet in his arms.Pink roses. My favorite.“Call me Astra,” I said, smiling.He returned it easily. “Alright, Astra.”“Mr. Monroe, please—have a seat,” my mother chimed in as she entered the room, warm and gracious.I noticed how her eyes lingered on the space between Silas and me—hopeful, almost gleaming.She hadn’t always been on board with this arrang
Nolan’s POVThe door burst open.“What’s going on?” Riven rushed in, his eyes darting from Anna on the floor to me. “What the hell happened?”He moved to help her up, but Anna slapped his hand away. “Oh, don’t bother.”Riven stiffened. He looked at me, doubt flickering in his eyes. “Nolan?”Anna stood, smoothing her gown as if nothing had happened. “We were just talking about how great it is that Astra’s finally gone,” she said lightly. “Right, Riven?”“What?” Riven frowned. “Anna, don’t talk about Astra like that. I know she could be sharp with you, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t—”“Two hypocrites,” Anna cut in, sneering.Something in my chest tightened. “Anna,” I said slowly, “was Astra telling the truth? Did you fall on your own and blame her?”For the first time, Anna looked at me without softness or any disguise. “What do you think?” she asked.I stood, walked toward her, and stopped inches away. “I think you blamed Astra for something she never did. And I think I was a fool for












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