Chapter 3

After hanging up, I pulled out an emerald bracelet.

Marcello’s mother, Carmela, had slipped it onto my wrist herself.

"Cora, this is passed down only to the daughters-in-law. You saved my son's life. The Cartel recognizes you."

She had always been good to me and despised how Gia clung to Marcello.

But now, this bracelet didn't belong to me anymore.

I couriered it back to Carmela.

Almost the second it was signed for, my phone rang.

"Cora, what is the meaning of this? Why return the bracelet?"

"Ma'am, I've had a change in work assignment. I'll be in Paris for three years, and the bracelet is too valuable to take with me."

"Liar." Carmela cut me off sharply. "Did that bastard Marcello do something? What are these rumors online? And what's going on with that little bitch, Gia?!"

"Ma'am, it's really just work." I kept the truth to myself, wanting to keep some dignity intact in front of the elders.

"Don't try to hide it from me, I know my own son!" Carmela scoffed. "Stay right there. I'm going to ask Marcello what the hell he's playing at!"

She hung up decisively.

I shoved my phone in my pocket, grabbed the garment bag from the sofa, and left the apartment.

It held the wedding dress. I didn't need it anymore.

When I pushed open the doors to the bridal boutique, the consultant greeted me with a smile.

"Miss Cora, here for your final fitting?"

"No, I'm returning it." I handed her the bag. "I won't be needing it."

The consultant froze.

Before she could say a word, the curtain to the VIP fitting room was pulled back.

"Marcello, do you like this mermaid gown, or the ballgown from earlier?"

Gia's sickly sweet voice echoed across the showroom.

I looked up.

Marcello was sitting on the sofa, holding a glass of champagne. He looked at Gia in her white gown with eyes full of tenderness.

"They both look beautiful. If you're the one wearing it, we'll buy them both."

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I remembered three months ago when I came to try on dresses. Marcello claimed there was an emergency gang meeting and told me to go alone.

I stood in front of the mirror in a heavy dress for two hours by myself. The pictures I sent him only earned a dismissive, "Looks great. Still busy."

He didn't lack time. He just didn't want to spend it on me.

"Oh, Cora? What are you doing here?"

Gia caught sight of me. She lifted her skirt and sauntered over, the victor claiming her prize, and intentionally jutted out her perfectly flat stomach.

"Are you here to try on dresses too? Oh, my bad, I forgot, your wedding got postponed." She covered her mouth, smiling like an innocent demon.

Marcello's head snapped around.

When he saw me, a flash of panic crossed his eyes.

"Cora, what are you doing here?" He frowned at the garment bag. "You're returning it? No need. You'll wear it in three years anyway."

I didn't tell him I was never marrying him.

"Since you're here, help me pick!" Gia grabbed my arm. "I heard you studied art, so you must have a good eye. Which one is better for tomorrow?"

I tried to leave, but Marcello blocked my path.

"Actually, you being here is perfect. It'll help shut down the rumors about Gia."

Seeing my resistance, his tone turned slightly threatening. "Cora, play along. It's time you learned how to be a proper Don's wife."

I stopped fighting. Not because of some bullshit wifely duty, but because I was leaving soon, and I didn't want to blow my cover.

Looking at the man I’d loved for eight years, both the love and hate were dissolving into pure, cold numbness.

"Sure." I turned and pointed at Gia's dress. "The mermaid cut suits her."

Just then, Marcello's phone rang.

The second he answered, his face dropped.

"Mother... It's not what you think... Gia is... Mother!"

Carmela's screaming was loud enough for me to hear.

He hung up, yanking at his tie in frustration. He looked at me, a calculating gleam suddenly appearing in his eyes.

"My mother is furious. She's demanding I marry you tomorrow."

"And?" I sneered.

Marcello took a deep breath.

"The wedding goes on. You put on the dress and show up tomorrow."

"But when the priest asks if you take me, you're going to leave me at the altar."

My eyes widened.

"That way, I can tell my mother you humiliated me. To save the Cartel's face, I'll pull Gia from the crowd to take your place."

He looked at me with maddening self-righteousness.

"Just play your part, and I promise you, in three years, I will give you a wedding ten times grander than tomorrow's."

I looked at him like he was a complete psychopath.

I couldn't believe this was the man I'd loved.

But considering he was already Gia's husband, nothing surprised me anymore.