Chapter 2

The clock tower at city hall struck six before I realized I'd been sitting at my desk for two hours.

Daniel and Emma's marriage registration file was still glowing on my computer screen.

I stared at that certificate. The edges of my vision went blurry.

In the photo, Daniel was wearing the dark gray suit I'd given him for his birthday last year. Even the tie—I'd picked that out myself.

On his birthday last year, he'd held me and talked about this year. Said maybe by then we'd already be married.

Now he really was married.

Just not to me.

I wiped my eyes, gathered my things to leave.

My hand knocked against the photo frame on my desk.

Daniel was hugging me from behind, kissing my neck. I was laughing, trying to squirm away.

I took one look, flipped it face-down into the trash, then dropped my resignation letter on my boss's desk.

I was done. Done with this place. Done with him. I was going to Anli—that little seaside town I'd always dreamed of.

I'd told Daniel about it so many times.

And he'd told me just as many times—once things settled down, he'd take me there.

Five years. He never did.

I let out a bitter laugh and stepped outside. It was raining.

A man in a black trench coat walked up with an umbrella, tilting it over me.

"Miss Sophia," he said with a slight bow. "Mr. Bonanno sent me to take you home."

One of Daniel's personal guards. Every time we fought, Daniel would send him to pick me up—like some silent white flag.

He thought this was the same as always. Thought I'd throw my tantrum and come running back the second he sent someone to smooth things over.

"No." I pushed his umbrella away. "I've got it."

Then I walked into the rain alone.

The water hitting my skin felt good. Clearing my head.

My phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

Daniel's name lit up and faded, lit up and faded. Finally went dark.

I don't know how long I walked in the rain. But I ended up back at the apartment Daniel and I shared.

Everything in that place still screamed his name.

Except it didn't look like it did this morning. The place was swarming with people.

Emma was giving orders.

"Get rid of all this useless junk."

She heard me come in, turned, and let out a cold laugh.

"Sophia, I thought you had at least a shred of self-respect. I'm married to Daniel now, and you have the nerve to still be staying here?"

"You've got three days. After that, I don't ever want to see your face again."

She walked out without looking back.

My things got stuffed into an old burlap bag and tossed outside like garbage.

I sat on the couch for a full day and night, staring at nothing. The next day, Daniel finally came back.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing his face into the back of my neck like he missed me.

"Why didn't you answer my calls? You came back and didn't tell me? Why are you all wet—didn't I send someone to get you?"

I could smell her perfume all over him. But instead of hurt, all I felt was hollow.

"Emma's moving in here. Did you know?"

He froze against me. Then his voice turned awkward.

"The family already knows I've been hiding you here. Emma's just helping us keep up appearances. You're smart, Sophia. You get it."

"You'll move to that apartment in the suburbs. No one knows about it there. We can still be together forever. I promise."

My head dropped. My eyes burned.

Two years ago, after my parents died, he held me and said this would always be my home.

Not anymore.

I pulled away, looked at the face I'd loved for five years, and said flatly:

"Forget it. I'll leave on my own."

I started for the door. He grabbed my arm.

His voice was tired. Frustrated.

"Sophia, do you have any idea how much I've given up for you? And you're really going to pull this right now?"

I caught sight of the fresh bite mark on his neck. A laugh escaped me—even as the tears fell silent.

I took his hand and asked him, "Daniel, are you really going to send me to that suburban apartment?"

Something in my calm face must have scared him. He reached for me, started to nod—

The doorbell rang. Emma walked in.

She came up beside us, looped her arm through his, and gave him that coy little smile.

"You forgot! We've got something way more important tonight."

Every Don before taking the seat had to have an heir first. And the Bonanno family's chosen heir? Had to come from Emma's womb.

The man I'd loved for five years was going to have a child with another woman. And he said it was for me.

Daniel slowly let go of my hand. His face twisted with guilt.

"I'll have someone drive you over."

I didn't answer. Just walked out.

No one followed.

I looked back at the closed door and laughed at myself.

What was I even hoping for?

He wasn't the man who used to hold me like I was the most precious thing in the world anymore.

My phone rang. Final confirmation for the fake death plan.

"Miss, your services have been arranged. Fatal fall from a cliff. We're now at final confirmation—do you accept?"

I didn't hesitate. "I accept."

After I hung up, my head started spinning. I wandered through the crowded streets, aimless.

Before I knew it, night had fallen.

The crowds had thinned. I was looking around for a hotel to crash at—

When a hand clamped over my mouth. And everything went dark.