Chapter 6

Harper’s POV

Dante looked like I’d just slapped him across the face. Gianna, on the other hand, stared at me like I’d grown horns—like the silly, grieving widow she thought she looked down turned out to be nothing she imagined.

I held their stares and added sweetly, “Oh, and Ash… Gianna? Since neither of you have ever worked for the family before, I’m afraid you don’t get a vote today.”

A few of the Moretti family members had started whispering among themselves. Back when Dante was being… well, Dante, they were his closest allies. But what they really cared about were money and protection.

And now that Dante had decided to become his weaker twin brother, Ash, neither of those things were guaranteed anymore.

I became their smarter choice.

“If I am selected as the official Don of the Moretti, the Quinns will back me with every resource we have. That includes our political alliances and our cross-border connections.”

A few men shifted in their seats. Good—they were listening.

“Think about the expansion opportunities. The drug routes. The profits.” I let that sink in. “Some of you may hesitate, worrying about handing the Moretti to a Quinn. But rest assured—I was married to Dante Moretti. Even though he ‘died’…” My gaze slid to Dante. “…I will continue everything he once did.”

A murmur rippled through the room.

“And my father has came today and promised this, in front of every one of you: if you choose me, the Quinns will offer full support.”

Nicholas paled. Dante looked worse. Gianna clutched Dante’s sleeve like she needed it to breathe.

“Harper…” Dante’s expression twisted—confusion, anger, hurt, frustration all fighting for space. “About what I promised you—I will—”

I cut him off. “Sorry, but you’re not my husband. And I don’t trust you with that level of responsibility anymore.”

A gasp. A hiss. A few barely stifled curses.

“Or,” I added lightly, “if you insist on taking the Don’s seat, I’ll simply leave—and the Quinn money and resources will leave with me. I’m doing everyone a favor here.”

The whispers erupted into a storm. One by one, hands began to rise. Then more. And more. Until only a few remained lowered.

Dante didn’t raise his hand. But he also didn’t dare open his mouth to stop the others from voting for me.

“So,” I said, offering a small, composed smile as I straightened, “it seems the majority has made their decision.”

I let the silence stretch just long enough before adding, “Thank you for your trust.”

Then I rose, slipped my arm through my father’s, and walked out.

…

Father was angry at the Moretti. And I knew why.

Ever since I was a child, he saw me as the brightest jewel in the entire Quinn empire. For someone as smart as him, he must’ve felt something was off today.

“Papa,” I said gently, reaching out to smooth the deep furrow between his brows. “I’m okay. I really am.”

He turned to me, and I saw it then—his eyes were red. “Harper,” he said hoarsely, “You know I’d give you anything you ever wanted, right?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

His voice dropped lower. “If the Moretti…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence.

He sighed eventually. “If I had known it would end like this, I never would’ve let you marry into that family.”

“You couldn’t have known the future,” I said softly, trying to comfort him.

“The moment Dante died, they dragged his twin brother back to replace him. Disgusting.” His jaw tightened. “What did they think my daughter was? Someone who would simply comfort herself with her dead husband’s brother?”

I let out a small chuckle. “I’m grown now, Papa. You don’t have to worry about things like that anymore. They didn’t want to lose the Quinn money and resources—of course I knew. That’s why I called for the vote.”

“Harper, is there something else?” Father looked straight into my eyes. “If there’s anything I can do, I don’t want you facing it alone. Do you hear me?”

“I’ll tell you everything when the time is right, Papa. But for now… I want to handle this myself. You can’t protect me for the rest of my life.”

Father sighed. “I would, if I could. I just don’t want you getting hurt.”

I leaned into the warmth of his arms. “I won’t, Papa. I won’t let myself be vulnerable to anyone ever again.”

Father had given the Moretti so much—money, influence, reputation. And all of it had been for me, so my life there would be good.

The Moretti hadn’t only used me. They’d used my father, too.

And the thought of it—of Dante draining my father’s goodwill year after year while pretending to be this moral, devoted husband—sent a fresh blaze through my vengeful heart.

Just wait, Dante. I’ll return everything you did to me— exactly the way you deserve it.

As for Gianna—arrogant enough to think she could manipulate me, belittle me—she was about to discover the real Harper Quinn.

…

Two days later, I went to the hospital for my surgery. Dr. Zane had kept her promise—the procedure was quick.

When I woke up in the recovery room, father was already there, sitting at my bedside. He looked like he had aged overnight.

“Papa,” I whispered, still staring at the ceiling, “Don’t be sad. Maybe it just… wasn’t the right time.”

My father nodded, wiping the corner of his eye. “While you were in surgery, I went ahead and finalized the casino deal. It’s yours now. Completely. I made sure of it. No one can take it from you.”

He handed me the documents.

My name was printed at the bottom—bold, sharp, indisputable.

“Thank you, Papa,” I said, fingers tightening around the edge of the paper. “I won’t let you down again.”

He shook his head. “Silly. You’ve never let me down.”

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Now rest,” he murmured, brushing my hair back. “Rest as long as you need. Because when you get better, my little queen—there’s an empire waiting for your command.”