The Woman He Bought Was Mafia Heiress

The moment Sofia flipped over the last card, the ballroom went silent for a beat.

Ace of spades.

The next second, everyone laughed. "Sofia's picking the dare again."

"Elena, you're done for this year."

I clenched the fabric of my skirt.

The first year, she'd poured red wine over my head and made me kneel at Dante's feet while everyone laughed.

Dante had watched the whole time with his glass in hand and only draped his jacket over me after the game was over.

"Don't cry. Sofia just likes to have fun."

So I forgave him.

The second year, Sofia had someone bring a silver chain with a small black tag dangling from it.

$3,000,000.

The price Dante had paid for me.

And she demanded that I wear it for life and never take it off.

I looked to Dante for help.

He just smiled, picked up the tag, and straightened the silver chain around my neck.

"Looks nice. Keep it on. It's proof that I own you."

I took it off once, in secret.

When Dante found out, he gave me ten lashes as punishment, and I never dared take it off again.

Even now, it still rested against my collarbone.

"Something simple this year."

Sofia pushed a black velvet box in front of me.

Inside was an emerald ring.

I recognized it instantly.

In the main hall of the estate, Dante's mother wore the same ring in her portrait from when she was young.

I had once asked Dante if it was the wedding ring reserved for the woman who became Mrs. Moretti.

He'd taken my hand and smiled. "You like it?"

I had always believed that was a hint.

But now Sofia picked up the ring and turned it slowly under the light.

"You recognize it?"

She glanced at the price tag on my chest.

"I was surprised too, when Dante gave it to me last night.

"After all, the Moretti ring isn't something you earn by sleeping with him for a few years."

A few people snickered.

She acted as if she'd just realized she'd said too much and held out her left hand.

"Sorry. I forgot that you know Dante best, so you should be the one to put it on for me."

I looked at Dante.

He was leaning back on the sofa. He didn't stop her.

"What does this mean?" I asked.

Dante finally set down his glass.

"Sofia and I are getting married next month."

Congratulations erupted across the ballroom.

Sofia waggled her fingers, smiling prettily.

"Dante even confirmed the size himself."

Last night.

Last night, he had still been sleeping in my bed. He'd kissed my eyelids before he left.

I didn't know how I managed to pick up the ring.

As I slid it past her knuckle, she leaned in close to my ear.

"Gently.

"I'll be wearing this for the rest of my life."

The emerald finally settled at the base of her ring finger.

And the black three-million-dollar tag on my chest tapped softly against my collarbone.

One was the ring that symbolized Mrs. Moretti.

The other was the price Dante had paid for me.

So that was the difference between us.

After the party, I went to Dante's study.

"Since you're getting married, it's time for me to leave."

Dante frowned. "Why would you leave? You're staying right here."

"Sofia is going to be your wife."

"So what?" He genuinely didn't understand.

I looked at him for a long time. "Dante, let me go."

He laughed, opened a drawer, and tossed the auction contract from seven years ago in front of me.

"Elena, have you forgotten? I paid for you.

"No matter who I marry, it doesn't change the fact that you belong to me."

He touched my face. His hand was still gentle.

"I never said I didn't want you."

That was the moment I finally understood.

He would give Sofia the wedding, the ring, and his last name.

What he would give me was a lifetime as his property.