4

The air froze. Every gun in the room turned toward me. I held my breath, terrified.

"Put them down," Luciano ordered.

"Luciano, who is she?" The older woman set down her glass, looking displeased.

He paused, then said calmly, "A friend."

I couldn't believe my ears.

When we were alone, he always said I was the most important woman in his life.

He'd built an estate for me.

When some punk harassed me in the slums, he'd crippled both of the guy's hands.

An enemy had even stabbed him in the lung while he was saving me, and he'd nearly died.

But now, in front of his family, I was just "a friend."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Then what did our five years together mean?"

The older woman frowned and looked at Luciano, demanding an answer.

His expression didn't change at all.

"Mom, this is a misunderstanding. I'll explain later."

Then he stood and walked toward me.

"You shouldn't have come looking for me without asking. Go home first. We'll talk about this later, okay?"

This time, I didn't give in. I pushed back. "Luciano, I didn't come here for you. I came for my necklace."

I pointed at Eileen's chest.

Panic flashed across her face.

But before she could say anything, Luciano answered for her. "Eileen would never take your things. Maybe it only looks the same. Don't be childish, Eleanor."

I looked him straight in the eye, struggling to get the words out. "So you've decided I'm lying?"

He said nothing.

As I looked at all the hostile faces in the room, I knew I wasn't getting my necklace back this time. I turned and ran.

But I'd barely made it a few steps before Luciano caught up with me.

I shook off his hand.

"What am I to you? A pet you keep around? Or a mistress you hide in the shadows?"

I'd thought that even if we couldn't stay together, at least those five years had been real. But everything that had just happened at dinner showed me how wrong I was.

Luciano's expression shifted when he realized I'd overheard his mother. He took my hand.

"Eileen and I are only having dinner together because our families made a deal. Since her father is the mayor, many of the Marino family's operations can proceed without interference.

"Even though my family wants me to be with her, that's not what I want. You're the only one I truly love."

He patted my back reassuringly.

"As soon as dinner is over, I'll come home."

I closed my eyes and listened to his lies. Then I answered softly, "Okay. I understand."

He seemed a little surprised that I'd gone quiet so suddenly, but before he could give it much thought, someone called for him, and he went back inside.

That night, Luciano came home carrying a beautifully wrapped gift box.

"This is a surprise for you."

I opened it. Inside was a sparkling diamond necklace.

He eagerly pulled me in front of the mirror and fastened it around my neck.

"Beautiful. I swear, tomorrow you'll be the most beautiful bride there is."

His eyes were deep and sincere, as if nothing had happened that day.

I looked at Luciano in the mirror.

"At the wedding tomorrow, I'll have a surprise for you, too."

His eyes lit up. He was about to say something when his phone rang.

I caught a glimpse of the caller ID. It was Eileen. He immediately said something had come up at work, wished me good night, and left.

I opened Instagram on my phone.

Sure enough, Eileen had posted a photo of herself trying on a diamond necklace. It had the same design as the one he'd given me, only hers had a higher carat weight.

Before, I would have been heartbroken. But now, I no longer cared.

First thing the next morning, I got a text from Luciano: "Darling, I'm waiting for you at the church."

But I knew he hadn't gone early to wait for me. He'd gone to marry Eileen first.

I sent away the maid who was helping me dress, took off my wedding gown, picked up my suitcase, and went to the airport alone.

In the departure lounge, I checked my phone, and Eileen's livestream started playing automatically.

Wearing an elaborate white wedding gown, she walked down the aisle toward the altar on her father's arm as a crowd of guests looked on.

Luciano wore a black suit, his hair styled perfectly.

But for someone who was always so composed, he seemed a little distracted.

I didn't care why.

The boarding announcement came over the speakers. I blocked Luciano everywhere and walked toward the gate without looking back.

From that moment on, he would have no place in my world.

...

In the church, people were whispering, "It's rare to see the Don so nervous. He must really love his bride."

The priest's deep voice filled the church. "Luciano Marino, do you take Eileen Vanderhall to be your wife, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death parts you?"

The church fell silent. Everyone looked at Luciano, who stood frozen at the altar.

It wasn't until Eileen murmured his name that he snapped out of his daze.

"What?"

The priest repeated the question. "Luciano Marino, do you take Eileen Vanderhall to be your wife?"

He cleared his throat, about to say, "I do."

Just then, the butler hurried in through a side door and leaned close to him.

"Don, Ms. Ashford is gone."