All Chapters of He Kissed Her at Our Engagement, I Chose the Don's Heir: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

I turned and walked out of that farce of an engagement party.But a hand clamped around my wrist hard enough to bruise.Klaus had hurried after me, clearly irritated."Haven't you made enough of a scene?"He lowered his voice, looking tired."I already said I'd marry you. The timing just isn't right. What's the big rush?"I yanked my hand free. "What's the problem? I stepped aside so you and Linda could be together. Isn't that exactly what you wanted?"I'd loved him for ten years, and now I was about to be forced to marry the next head of a Mafia family and enter a cage I could never escape.My mother, Elena Rota, had suffered the same fate. One of Europe's most gifted designers, she should have had a brilliant, independent life.Then she married my father, the cold, vicious Don Rota. His affairs and the cruelty of his mistresses drove her into such deep depression that she took her own life in front of me.I swore I would never end up like her.I used to think Klaus was different from

Early the next morning, I went back to the office. I'd spent ten years building this design empire without any help from the Rota family.But the second I pushed open my office door, I froze.I could barely believe what I saw in my private lounge.Klaus, usually so cold and arrogant, was tucking a familiar blanket around Linda.Klaus had given it to me years ago after finding me shivering during a late night at work. It had kept me warm through countless winters, and I'd treasured it ever since.Only then did Klaus notice me in the doorway. Panic flashed in his eyes, then disappeared."Rebecca, Linda pulled an all-nighter with me," he said casually. "She was too wiped out to stay on her feet. Your office is the only one with a lounge, so I'm letting her borrow it for a bit.""An all-nighter?"I gave him a mocking smile and eyed the red mark on his neck. That told me everything."More like you spent the night screwing around."Klaus stiffened and tugged at his collar without thinking, g

Klaus’s POVAfter that, Klaus grew even more reckless.He didn't come home or go to the office for three straight days.He figured Rebecca would lose it and blow up his phone with calls and texts.But he didn't get a single call or message from her.At first, he felt relieved. Then an irritation he couldn't explain crept in.He tried calling the number he knew by heart.But all he got was a cold automated message. "The number you have dialed is not available."He tried texting her and realized she had blocked him.Anger smoldered in Klaus's chest.He assumed Rebecca was just throwing another tantrum.Just then, Linda walked over to the couch and settled into his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.For the first time, he moved her off his lap.Linda froze. Her eyes filled at once with hurt and confusion. "Klaus?""Something came up at the office. I need to go in." Klaus pushed down his panic and brushed her off. "Wait for me here.""But Klaus, I..." Her voice turned ple

Rebecca’s POVOne afternoon a week later, I'd just finished a long meeting about a brand partnership when my phone lit up.It was Lucy."Rebecca, you won't believe the mess in Paris right now!"The evidence that Klaus embezzled company money checked out, and the PNF opened a case. The board fired him and is suing to recover every cent. Everything in his name has been frozen or seized. He lost it all overnight."And Linda's family business went bankrupt. The jewelry and apartment she got through Klaus were sold to cover the debts. Now the two of them are tearing each other apart in public. They've become a joke in Paris society, and no one in their circle wants anything to do with them."Lucy sighed. "They fell from the top all the way back to the bottom. They had it coming. And... I heard Klaus has been looking for you everywhere... Be careful."I listened in silence. The satisfaction I'd expected never came. All I felt was calm detachment.All the work I'd poured into those years and

Rebecca’s POVOnce that whole circus was over, my life moved forward, steady and calm.My new label took off on the international stage.The historic district redevelopment impressed the whole city, and the European fashion world embraced my designs.My team was professional and humble, and they respected my work.No more endless infighting, no more scheming behind my back, no more people who smiled to my face and stabbed me in the back.I no longer had to compromise for anyone or dull my edge.I'd earned my place through skill and won respect through talent. And I had Ian's unwavering love beside me.My days were easy and secure, a kind of peace I'd never known in my ten years in Paris.One afternoon, Lucy flew to New York to see me.A sea breeze drifted across the terrace. Coffee and dessert sat on the table, and the sun warmed our shoulders.We hadn't seen each other in a long time. I could tell she was happy to see how confident and radiant I'd become."This is wonderful, Rebecca.