Chapter 3

I picked up the suitcase I'd packed hours earlier and glanced at Vivian. A mocking smile tugged at my lips.

I said, "Ms. Moroni, if you're going to live with Enzo, make sure you pay your share of the rent on time. If you don't, you'll be a gold digger too."

I had barely taken a step when someone yanked my wrist violently.

The playful look on Enzo's face was gone. In its place was reprimanding anger.

"Are you seriously doing this? Vivian and I were just messing with you. Think about what you're doing. If you leave, you'll be out on the street. If something happens to you then, there won't be anyone there to help you."

I stared into his eyes. The whole thing felt absurd.

I'd been wrong. I was so incredibly wrong.

I shouldn't have let his sweet words talk me out of leaving the moment I found out he was the sole heir to a mafia family.

I especially shouldn't have believed him when he said, "What we have is real. Loving each other as equals is what makes it genuine," even after he repeatedly accused me of wanting his money.

I couldn't help but remember the evening we spent together in Bellano. We sat side by side on a stone bench, sharing a gelato and talking about our future.

Back then, Enzo had tucked my hands into his coat pockets and promised me, "Sienna, even if my enemies put a gun to my head one day, I'd still take every bullet meant for you. You're the only thing that's ever saved me."

Memories were just memories. It was time to face reality.

"Enzo, we're done."

His expression darkened completely.

"Done? Are you breaking up with me?" he asked. "No, I don't agree to this. Who do you think you are, dumping me? There's a limit to how far you can take a temper tantrum."

He'd always acted like he was above me. It was as if dating someone ordinary like me were some kind of favor.

I simply looked at him.

"I'm not throwing a temper tantrum. If you really think I'm only with you for your money, then go find someone from your own league and have the kind of relationship you think you deserve. Vivian seems like a perfect fit."

I turned and walked away.

"Don't come crying to me when you regret this!" he shouted after me.

I ignored his words. I'd spent three years holding on to a relationship in which I was treated like a thief.

When I needed him most, I begged him over the phone to save our baby, and he did nothing. He even let Vivian convince him that I was lying to get money from him and that I was nothing but a gold digger.

I'd finally stopped believing in us.