Chapter 1

The night Giovanni Rossi became the Don, he took me hard and without mercy.

By the time it was over, my legs were still trembling. Staring at my slip dress lying on the floor, one strap torn clean off, I asked, "Giovanni, is this the end of us?"

He leaned back against the headboard and lit a cigarette. The smoke blurred his eyes and the scar on his wrist, which he'd gotten from protecting me.

"Serena." He exhaled slowly and asked as calmly as if we were discussing the weather, "If I say it's over, will you make a scene?"

His words were light, yet they sent a chill down my spine.

I'd been with Giovanni for ten years. I knew the meaning behind every shift in his expression.

I took the cigarette from between his lips and inhaled deeply to steady my trembling voice. "Giovanni, do you still think I'm that young lady who didn't even know how to fire a gun?"

If I were still 19 years old, I'd have torn his world apart if he dared to abandon me. I'd force him to either kill me or go mad with me.

But I was 29 years old now.

The words died on my lips, leaving nothing but the soft rustle of falling ash.

Giovanni smiled. He brushed the smudged lipstick from the corner of my mouth with his thumb, then plucked the cigarette from my fingers and crushed it out.

"Let's end this here, Serena. Smoke less. Your lungs can't handle it. It's time you lived a normal life like other women."

He paused, then added, "Arvandor is a good place. I've arranged a house and gallery for you there. Haven't you always wanted to paint? Leave this place and start over."

I froze.

At 29, I was being broken up with and gifted a beautifully packaged exile.

In the mafia world, the one who cried first was the loser.

I fumbled for my lighter, trying to light another cigarette, but my hands shook so badly I couldn't spark a flame even after three tries.

That final tear slipped out anyway. I wiped it away quickly with the back of my hand and bent to pick up my dress.

Suddenly, Giovanni wrapped his arms around me from behind.

Like he had countless times before, he pulled up the zipper at my back with practiced ease, then bit gently at my earlobe and murmured, "Do as I say. I don't want to issue an expulsion order."

Thunder rolled outside. Rain lashed against the windows.

"It's pouring," he said, glancing outside. "The flight will be delayed. Leave tomorrow morning. I'll stay with you tonight."

I didn't answer, and he didn't mind.

For ten years, I had never questioned his control.

But Giovanni forgot that compliance was never my nature. If we were going to end this relationship, we would end it cleanly.

I pushed him away and straightened up. "It's just rain. When someone wants to leave, not even a storm can stop them. Since there's someone else you care about, there's no need to act in front of me."

For a brief second, I saw his jaw tighten.

Then, it relaxed.

"Good that you know." He walked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Without looking at me, he said, "Her name is Lisa Esposito. A 19-year-old ballet major. Serena, she's different from you. She lives in a clean world. She's been loved properly, and the love she gives me is pure."

He paused for a moment, his voice dropping an octave. "Unlike you. You've been different for a long time now."

My throat tightened at his words.

He'd molded me into a rose with thorns. Now that he had become the Don, he complained that I had changed?

I wanted to question him and tear that calm mask off his face.

Just then, his phone rang.

It was a very unusual ringtone—a soothing piano melody that clashed with everything in this room.

Giovann's gaze softened instantly. He pressed a finger to his lips, signaling me to keep quiet.

The woman's voice trembled over the phone. "Giovanni… It's thundering. I'm scared…"

I stood in the middle of the mess, listening as he spoke to her in a tone I'd never heard from him before.

"Hey, don't worry. It's just rain. I'll have Antonio pick you up, alright? I know you hate strangers, but tonight's different."

The woman's crying only got louder. "I don't want him! I want you here tonight! No one else!"

He left without a word.

I put on my coat and replied to the person who had been messaging me nonstop, "Come get me. I accept the engagement."