Chapter 4

The sender was Vincent Romano, the scion of Italvia's second most formidable mafia family and my former regular fling.

The first time I saw him at the club, he stood out in his tailored black sweater and gold-rimmed glasses, sleeves rolled up in casual elegance. He had the looks of a gentleman but the wild streak of a rogue.

We clicked instantly. He was adventurous and always game.

I had not looked for anyone else in a long while, until that one time.

After the commotion had settled, he slipped into the kitchen to whip up some late-night eats for me.

His phone buzzed on the nightstand.

"Vincent, your phone's going off!"

"Can you check it for me?"

He gave me the green light, so I grabbed the phone without a second thought.

That was when I stumbled upon Lucia's bombshell texts in their group chat.

[Bed picture…]

[Ruin her reputation…]

The chat was ablaze with everyone but Vincent chiming in.

The words stung my eyes, and I scrolled up to find more.

There it was, a sneaky snapshot Vincent had taken of me asleep.

I was clothed, so it was only my face showing.

Lucia had responded to the photo.

[Vincent, she's the real Esposito heiress!]

[You guys have to back me up. If she returns, she'll snatch everything from me. We can't let my parents take her back!]

My face went ice-cold in a flash, and I stormed into the kitchen.

I slammed the phone down in front of Vincent.

Vincent, catching sight of me, half-teased as he asked, "Why are you barefoot again?"

I did not bite. Instead, I glared at him with a steely gaze.

He caught on quickly that something was up, skimmed the phone, and started murmuring excuses.

"Babe, I was clueless, swear. I'd never get mixed up in this! If I'd known before you, you'd have been the first to hear! Babe, come on, don't be mad, alright?"

However, it was not about being left in the dark.

"Vincent Romano, since when do you get to sneak pictures of me?"

I fired off, ice in my voice.

Vincent, upon hearing his full name, knew he was in trouble. "I just... I wanted to brag a bit to them."

However, as my glare turned frostier, his voice shrank to a whisper.

"Vincent, what are we to each other? Is being with me just a notch on your belt? Am I just some item on the auction block to you?"

I had never confronted him like that, and he was visibly shaken.

He collapsed to the floor, offering me the undone leash from around his neck. "That's not what I meant! Please, forgive me, my lady."

I pushed him away, my face set in stone as I ordered, "Vincent, get out of my house."

He shook his head desperately, clinging to my legs as he begged, "Don't! My lady, please don't cast me aside. I'll leave the group chat right now! I'll block them all!"

With that, he grabbed his phone and without a second thought, he left the group chat and blocked every single one of them.

Tears streamed down his face as he pleaded for forgiveness.

I had to admit, I had a soft spot for Vincent.

He always put on a proud front for the world, and seeing him so humbled, so vulnerable, it tugged at my heartstrings.

However, secret filming was a one-time offense that felt like a betrayal without end. I could not trust him.

So, I tossed his lovingly prepared midnight snack straight into the trash. With it, I threw him out, trash can and all.

Since then, Vincent messaged me non-stop.

I had never once replied, and that new message was no different.

I was about to block yet another unknown number when the doorbell echoed through the hall.

Another message from Vincent popped up.

[Sofia, can you please open the door?]

[I need to explain.]

Annoyed, I was about to tell him to buzz off when Julian emerged from the bathroom, barely dressed.

"Who's that at this hour?"

The knocking intensified, and he headed for the door.

I did not manage to stop him.

The door swung open.