Chapter 1

I was in a fit of rage. But, before I could speak anything, he filled my mouth with her peanut cake, completely forgetting that I was allergic to peanuts.

I coughed until the blood gushed out of my throat. His eyes turned dark, not in concern but pure fury.

He thought I was pretending just because I didn't like Rosaline.

If one of our security guards hadn't taken me to the hospital on time, I would have died coughing up blood.

That's when I called my mother and said, “Mom, I’m ready for the marriage arrangement you and Dad made for me.”

“Are you sure? No more chasing your mafia boyfriend?” My mother sounded shocked and in disbelief. There was a brief moment of silence between us before I spoke in a firm voice, “Tell Dad to stop supplying weapons to Jayden. I’m done with him.”

While Jayden had been fighting in the race to become the next Godfather of the Mafia world, my family had been helping him in supplying the weapons despite having retired from this dark world, just for my sake.

“You have made the right decision, Victoria.” My mother replied, “A man who never once thought of a wedding and had been only using your resources for five years is a parasite. He doesn't deserve you, honey.”

“Your Dad has fixed your wedding to Marcus Lightwood. Out of all the marriage proposals we received this year, this is the best. Do you have any wishes or your own thoughts about the wedding? Just tell us, and we will arrange it, sweetheart. And if you want to meet him in person-”

“No need.” I cut her off, “Just make it simple and quick. I want to be done with it as soon as possible.”

After I hung up the call, I was stunned to see Jayden standing right behind me. He looked stunned.

“Who was on the call?” He asked, “I heard you mentioned a wedding?”

I stared at him for a while. For a brief moment, I saw the panic and fear in the pair of eyes that remained calm even facing the most brutal rivals.

“It was my Mom. She is inviting me to attend a cousin’s wedding.” I replied, and he believed it.

I did not intend to tell him the truth. That it was my own wedding, something he never thought I needed.

“About last night…” he began, his eyes reflecting guilt and concern, “I didn't know the cake would be that fatal to you. If I knew that I wouldn't-”

“It's okay.” I cut him off, “You are always busy with your work, it's natural for you to forget about my allergies.”

It wasn't!

Back when we began dating, he had informed the entire hotels and restaurants of the city to evacuate peanuts from their recipes in case we dined there and I mistakenly ate peanuts.

I also remember the day when a new chef in the city wasn't aware of this rule, and I happened to barge into his restaurant. I had taken just a slight bite of the peanut cookies and immediately vomited. Jayden had his men destroy his brand-new cafe and beat him so much that he ended up hospitalized for months.

It had been me secretly sending money for his recovery and his family’s expenses.

It was rare for a man like Jayden to actually forget I was allergic to peanuts.

He opened his mouth to speak further, perhaps a few more words of apologies. But then his phone rang. Though he tried to hide the name flashing on his screen, I read it.

It was Rose with a heart emoji.

He quickly rushed out to attend the call, telling me while walking, “I have an urgent meeting to attend, Victoria. I’ll be back at night.”

In the urgency of talking to Rosaline, he didn't notice the luggage that was placed by my side. I was already going to leave him.