Chapter 1

By the time I got back to our apartment, Matteo was already home.

As always, he'd left my slippers by the door, ready for me to slip into.

He'd even tied a length of red string to the half-broken light pull in our basement apartment so I wouldn't have to grope for it in the dark.

Those little gestures used to make me feel loved. Now, every single one of them hurt.

"I got you some cream for your hands at the drugstore. Here, try it." Matteo handed me a plain silver tube with no label.

I didn't touch it. I didn't even look up at him.

For three years, I'd been trying to pay off his supposed million-dollar debt. I'd given up my place in the orchestra and worked myself to the bone, washing dishes at a restaurant, doing shifts at a laundromat, and serving drinks at an underground bar until late at night.

Whenever I dragged myself home in the early hours, freezing and exhausted, he'd cup my hands in his warm palms and promise, "Alaia, once I've paid off this debt, I'll get you back onstage."

And I'd kiss his cheek, hoping with everything I had that we'd pay it off soon.

All this time, I'd been nothing but some poor girl a billionaire decided to test.

He'd let that woman suggest a test that could cost me a hand as if it were nothing. To them, I was just livestock to be judged and butchered as they pleased.

How many more tests would it take before he was satisfied? Did he really think I'd be grateful when he finally decided I was worthy of becoming his Donna? Did he seriously believe I'd never say no?

When I didn't move, Matteo frowned. He took my swollen, cracked right hand and silently worked the cream into my skin. It didn't sting. Instead, it felt cool and soothing.

My mother was a doctor, so I recognized it immediately. It was a custom-made chilblain cream from an exclusive Swiss clinic. A single tube cost as much as six months' rent for our basement apartment.

But I knew what was really behind his generosity.

After watching me struggle for so long, the powerful Don had decided to throw me a bone.

"Why so quiet today?" he asked softly.

"The kitchen was brutal. I broke a few plates, and they docked my pay." My voice came out hoarse.

Matteo's hand stilled, and his eyes softened.

"Then quit." He screwed the cap back on, as casual as if money had never been an issue. "I'll take care of the money. Alaia, nothing matters more than you."

Yesterday, I would have thrown my arms around him and told him we'd face it together.

But today, his words made my stomach turn. That Michelin-starred restaurant belonged to his family. He could have me fired with a single phone call.

"This August, we'll go watch the meteor shower again." Matteo squeezed my fingers, reminding me of his promise.

Every August, he insisted on taking me upstate to watch the meteor shower.

He used to tell me that watching the Tears of Saint Lawrence together would keep us together forever. No matter how exhausted he was, even when his head drooped onto my shoulder, he never missed a single year.

I'd been so caught up in his sweet promises that I'd missed all the lies and warning signs.

His phone buzzed in his jacket pocket.

Matteo let go of my hand and checked his phone. The screen lit up, and I caught a glimpse of the name.

Victoria.

The same woman from the private dining room. The one who'd asked how much longer he planned to test me.

Matteo locked his phone and stood up.

"Some guys from the casino showed up. I need to deal with them." He grabbed his worn-out jacket, still reeking of motor oil. "Go to bed. I might not be back tonight."

He cupped my face and kissed the top of my head, the way he always did when he said good night. "Hang in there a little longer. We'll be free soon."

My eyes stung like crazy.

How could a lie like this ever set us free?

I thought it over and decided to tell Matteo how I felt.

But then my phone buzzed in my pocket.

The screen lit up with an Instagram DM.

From: Victoria Rossi.