Chapter 2

I barely slept that night, haunted by fragments of the past.

Marco and I were in an arranged marriage. The Moretti Famiglia and the DeLuca Famiglia—one controlled the ports of Bellevue and the other ruled the casinos of Aethelgard. Thus, the alliance of these two Famiglias represented a reorganization of the entire eastern side of Arinthia's criminal underworld.

I had hesitated about this engagement back then, as I knew that it was common for men in Mafia Famiglias to keep mistresses by their sides. Their wives would remain at home to raise the children, while they would be out carousing with mistresses, each side accepting their role without a word.

Papa valued my input. He told me that I should consider this carefully before committing to it, saying that the Moretti Famiglia didn't need to pawn their daughters off in a marriage alliance to grow its influence.

Marco had been the one to kneel before Papa, swearing solemnly. "Lina will be the only woman in my life, Don Moretti. I'm not like the others—I'll never betray Lina. There will only be room for her in my sight, my heart, and my bed."

He then turned toward me, his eyes gleaming. "Please marry me, Lina Moretti."

It felt like his vows had been made just yesterday, yet they had already turned into nothing but a cruel joke.

I caught the look of distress in Marco's eyes when Fiora stood at his office door with bloodshot eyes and a stubborn expression. I knew that the exclusive affection he once reserved for me was now given to another woman.

I confronted Marco with tears streaming down my face and struck him across the face repeatedly, only to receive his outrageous explanation. "That's just how it works in Mafia Famiglias, Lina! I've done nothing wrong in this whole situation—Fiora is merely my secretary!"

I had a breakdown back then. I refused to eat or drink, locking myself away in my room for three days straight.

Marco had used the spare key to open the door that night and saw me standing on the windowsill, one foot already hanging over the edge.

It was the 20th floor, with Fifth Street's traffic streaming far below.

Marco burst into tears on the spot. He lunged forward, grabbed me, and pulled me onto the carpet. He kneeled on the spot and repeatedly slapped himself. "I won't say those horrible things anymore, Lina. I'll send Fiora away for good so that she'll never appear before you again."

I gave in once I looked at Marco's bruised and swollen face. It seemed like things between us had returned to normal, with him treating me with even greater devotion and care.

I felt my heart becoming increasingly cold and hard without even realizing it, eventually reaching a point where it was completely frozen. I should have canceled the engagement back then. I didn't, though, because I found out that I was pregnant with the baby that Marco and I had been looking forward to for two years.

…

I woke up to broad daylight. I went down to the living room and found the dining table laid out with my favorites—lobster Benedict from Balthazar and cronuts from the famous bakery in Novaris—alongside a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, the glass still beaded with condensation.

Marco looked at me with an eager, attentive expression. "You must be hungry, Lina. I had someone wait in line early this morning for these. You should come and have some."

He looked completely unfazed, as if the previous day had never occurred. He went so far as to pull out my chair and carefully drape a napkin across my lap.

I sat in silence and started eating. I needed the nutrition for my body at that moment, so I didn't bother to pick a fight.

Marco relaxed visibly as I finished my meal, clearly under the impression that the storm had blown over. "I'm going to Caspian for a few days for some business with the Famiglia. I'll have Maria come by to look after you, so you should just stay at home and take it easy, Lina."

I nodded calmly and said, "We'll talk about the separation once you return, then."

Marco's expression immediately shifted. He hurled the coffee cup to the floor, sending porcelain shards flying onto the hem of my dress. "What is your problem, Lina? Haven't I already gotten rid of Fiora, sending her away from Novaris? What else do you want from me, Lina?"

He sounded both ashamed and infuriated. "I've played the submissive role and catered to your every whim. What are you still unhappy about? Why are you being so aggressive? I'm telling you, Lina—the engagement won't be called off! You are mine, and you always will be!"

I stared at Marco's trembling rage with total indifference. I would have been in tears in the past. I had been so attached to him that I stayed even when he stopped caring, choosing to suffer just to see a flicker of regret in his eyes. I didn't feel that way anymore, though. I was done with him.

"I'm getting out of the way so that Fiora can take my place, Marco. I don't get why you're so upset. I'm doing you a favor here."

Marco became even more infuriated. "You should stop being so unreasonable, Lina! I already told you yesterday that this is the last time! I did what you wanted and moved her to the western side of Arinthia—I'm never seeing her again!

"What more do you expect? I also never actually cheated on you! What else do you want from me, Lina? You're the one I love—only you and no one else!"

I couldn't help but laugh at how shameless Marco was. "Do you really take me for a fool, Marco? You came home so late yesterday, with marks on your neck and perfume on your clothes. You're suddenly claiming that you're heading off to Caspian today as well. You honestly make me sick, Marco."