Chapter 1

My father, Arthur, spotted me first. He saw the gun in my hand and turned pale.

"Helene... calm down. Warren and Chloe are already legally married. It's done!"

My mother, Elena, quickly rushed to shield Chloe.

"Helene, don't blame them. You've always been too ruthless and controlling. If you knew, you would've gone crazy. Warren had no choice but to fake his death and elope. He loves Chloe, that's the truth."

"You're already the head of the Frey family. For your father and me, just let them be."

I stared at the perfect couple hiding behind my parents, dead silent.

A second later, I raised my gun and shot the massive crystal chandelier above them. Glass shattered everywhere, and the crowd screamed in terror.

"You all know how I deal with traitors, right?"

I aimed my gun straight at Warren and Chloe.

Pale and shaking, Chloe hid behind him.

"Enough!"

Papa roared, swatting the gun out of my hand. Pain flared in my wrist.

"Are you going to kill your own sister? Do your mother and I mean nothing to you?"

"We knew about this too. Are you gonna whack us as well?"

My mother scowled. "Helene, you really need to control your temper."

I looked around the room. Aside from my parents, it was filled with the Made Men I trusted most.

They all looked down, dodging my eyes.

My nose stung.

I had scars all over my back from taking hits to save these men. I was ruthless, sure, but I bled for the people I trusted.

The money I made over the years bought my parents their mansion, giving them a life of absolute luxury.

But now, every single one of them stood against me.

I put my life on the line for them. I gave them power and wealth. They swore they'd always have my back.

I wiped a stray tear from my face and glared at them.

"Why? I never did you wrong."

For three years, they watched me expand our territory like a maniac for Warren. They watched me numb myself with booze and brutal training every night, turning into a heartless killing machine.

But not a single one of them had the decency to tell me Warren was still alive.

"Alright."

Warren sighed, pushing through the crowd toward me.

"Today is my wedding day. I don't want any blood."

His eyes were cold. He looked at me like I was just an annoying stranger in his way.

"No explanation?"

I stepped up, staring at Chloe behind him.

"You played me for three years, and you have nothing to say?"

Warren suddenly pulled a knife, pointing the cold blade at me.

We locked eyes, and I suddenly laughed.

"Is that your answer?"

The next second, Warren flipped the blade and drove it hard into his own shoulder.

He smirked at me, sneering, "That's my payback to you. Happy now? We're even."

Blood dripped down his fingers. He went pale from the pain, and Chloe lunged forward.

"Warren, why did you do that?"

She suddenly tried to grab the knife.

"I'm the one who wronged Helene. Let me pay her back!"

Warren kicked the knife away and shoved her behind him.

"This has nothing to do with you!"

He turned to me, annoyance written all over his face.

"We were only engaged, not married. You were just so stubborn and vicious, I couldn't tell you I didn't love you!"

"How else was I supposed to get rid of you besides faking my death?"

Hearing those words, my nails dug into my palms.

I thought Warren and I were soulmates, a power couple. We had the same ambition—to run the strongest mob family in New York.

On the night we got engaged, he said he'd stay by my side forever. I believed him. When he "died," I wanted to die with him.

If it weren't for the need to avenge him, I wouldn't have survived.

But now, it was all a lie.

Chloe held onto him tightly, her eyes red as she looked at me.

"Helene, I'm sorry, but I truly love Warren."

She was weak and fragile as always. Growing up, I was used to taking care of her, letting her have her way.

But that didn't mean I was okay with her stealing my fiancé.

"Chloe, how could you do this to me?"

Warren shielded her.

"Honestly, I should thank you."

He laughed, like he was recalling a fond memory.

"If it wasn't for you, I never would have met Chloe. I never would have fallen for her. Chloe is sweet and caring—a thousand times better than a rough monster like you."

My lips trembled, but Warren wasn't done.

"Oh, and by the way, on the day of the funeral, when you were crying your eyes out in the rain? Chloe and I were watching you from the house across the street."

"You looked pathetic."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The tears just fell.

"Just go."

With that, he grabbed Chloe's hand and left through the back door.