All Chapters of No Longer Your Perfect Tool: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The chime of a video call shattered the night's silence.I pushed myself up from the floor, my knees leaving two damp spots on the expensive Persian silk. Tears or sweat, I could no longer tell."Vivian, you look like hell." Mia's face appeared on the screen, her expression a mix of pity and fury."I'm fine." The lie slipped out, a habit I was never good at."Don't lie to me, honey," Mia said, her voice softening. "But you need to see this."She held up her iPad. A Page Six exclusive. The headline was a gut punch."New York's New Mob King, Enzo Moretti, Dances with Falcone Heiress Stella, Hinting at a Union of Two Crime Empires."My chest tightened.The first dance of the coronation.Last night, tangled in the sheets, he'd sworn I was his only partner. Now, another woman was on his arm, wearing the crystal shoes that were meant for me.He hadn't even told me the ceremony had begun.In the photo, Enzo wore the black suit I had picked out for him. An eight-thousand-dollar custom job. I r

For three days, there was nothing from Enzo.I assumed things were going well with Stella. She was probably satisfied with the skills he'd practiced on me. He likely thought this was just another one of our silent wars, and that I would be the first to break, like always.But this time, I deleted every trace of him from my life. Erasing him was more painful than I'd ever imagined. Every folder, every photo, was a memory tearing me apart. But I had to be thorough. So thorough that even I couldn't find evidence of the woman I used to be.Looking at my new ID, the woman in the photo had an empty, resolute gaze. Like someone preparing to die.Or to be reborn."Are you sure about this?" Across from me sat Don Romano, a respected family elder and my father's most trusted friend. "Moving this much money offshore is a bold play, Vivian. Enzo is no fool. He will find out.""By then, I'll have a new life in Los Angeles," I said, sipping my coffee. "The money I've made for this family is more tha

After hanging up, I stared at the blocked number, a cold smile touching my lips.Threaten me? Did he really think a different number would scare me?He would never learn. Some people can't be threatened. Especially not those who have nothing left to lose.Two days later, a text from Mia.[Your ex-boss is imploding. I heard the board is calling an emergency meeting to question his leadership.][Without you, the Moretti financial system has completely collapsed.]I put down my phone and went back to managing a client's portfolio. The warm Los Angeles sun streamed through the window onto my desk. Here, there was no darkness, no blood, no hidden agendas. Only clean numbers and legal profits.Back in New York, the Moretti family's financial crisis was escalating."Boss, the board is demanding an emergency meeting," Marco's voice came through the phone, laced with anxiety. "They said if this month's financials aren't balanced, they're going to reconsider your position as Don."Enzo slammed h

"Yes."I set down my fork, meeting Enzo's bloodshot gaze without flinching. "It's called Ross Investment Consulting. I incorporated it in Los Angeles with five million dollars in seed money."The room fell dead silent. The only sound was the faint sway of the crystal chandeliers.Stella beamed. "See? I wasn't wrong. Her office is in the financial district in Beverly Hills. I hear it's beautifully decorated."Enzo's mother stared at me in shock. "Vivian, you… when did you…""Three months ago," I answered calmly. "After I left New York."Enzo shot to his feet, the chair scraping harshly against the floor. His hands were clenched into fists, knuckles white."You betrayed the family.""Betrayal?" I stood up as well. "I simply changed jobs. Get your facts straight, Enzo. I was your financial consultant. An employee. And when my contract was up, I chose not to renew. It's that simple."Enzo laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. "A contract? Vivian, you think what we had was just a contract?"He

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Moretti," I said with a small smile. "But I don't need you to manage my love life."Enzo's face turned to stone. "Vivian…""It's getting late. I should be getting back to my room." I cut him off, turning to head back inside. Behind me, I heard the sound of a glass shattering. But I didn't look back.Three days later, I was back in Los Angeles. Warm sun, clean air. And Leo's gentle embrace."I missed you like crazy," he said, holding me tight at the airport. "How was New York?""It was fine," I answered with a smile. "Just a few people who don't know when to quit."Leo frowned. "What do you mean?""Nothing important," I said, kissing his lips.A week later, Leo made a reservation at our favorite Italian restaurant. Bella Vista, perched on a hill in Beverly Hills, overlooked the entire city skyline. We came here often. The owner always gave us the best table by the window.But tonight was different."Good evening, welcome to Bella Vista." The host at the