In my last life, I loved my brother’s best friend longer than I loved myself.

I was the princess of the De Luca family, a New York political dynasty. A good girl, through and through.

He was Orion Corvo. The king of Chicago's underworld. A ruthless, brutal man.

No one thought we belonged together. I never dared to confess.

Not until I was kidnapped. That cold-blooded, savage Don took a bullet for me. He shielded me with his body as I bled out.

We died together. Only then, seeing the desperation in his eyes, did I understand.

He loved me too.

Now, I'm back. 18 again. I ditched my life in Europe to stay by his side.

For five years, I was his most trusted art appraiser.

In private, he’d lose himself inside me. He fucked me like he wanted to own my soul.

I became his favorite fuck. His biggest secret.

But now, he’s getting married. And the bride isn't me.

In my last life, I loved my brother’s best friend longer than I loved myself.

I was the princess of the De Luca family, a New York political dynasty. A good girl, through and through.

He was Orion Corvo. The king of Chicago's underworld. A ruthless, brutal man.

No one thought we belonged together. I never dared to confess.

Not until I was kidnapped. That cold-blooded, savage Don took a bullet for me. He shielded me with his body as I bled out.

We died together. Only then, seeing the desperation in his eyes, did I understand.

He loved me too.

Now, I'm back. 18 again. I ditched my life in Europe to stay by his side.

For five years, I was his most trusted art appraiser.

In private, he’d lose himself inside me. He fucked me like he wanted to own my soul.

I became his favorite fuck. His biggest secret.

But now, he’s getting married. And the bride isn't me.

...

I stood outside Orion’s penthouse, my hand shaking. I clutched the papers that would end it all. The contract that would sever our five-year entanglement.

The moment the door opened, my breath hitched.

He wore only a white silk shirt, the top buttons undone. It revealed his bronzed chest and the vicious scar that ran from his collarbone to his heart.

Black suit pants clung to his powerful legs.

His face was still as perfect as a Roman statue. The high-bridged nose, the cruel line of his lips, and those gray eyes that saw right through you.

In a flash, the memory of my death hit me like a tidal wave—

After I was kidnapped, he’d risked everything to save me. But we were outnumbered. We were both shot.

“Evangeline, run…”

Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, but he still used his body to shield me.

“I love you… I’ve always loved you…”

His life faded with mine on that rainy night.

…

“Happy birthday, my girl.”

Orion’s voice pulled me back to reality. He took my coat, his fingertips grazing my wrist. A ghost of a touch.

“Come in.”

I stepped into the familiar space and froze.

The massive living room was empty. Even the bodyguards who usually stood by the door were gone.

The floor-to-ceiling windows showed off Chicago’s glittering skyline. Inside, candles flickered. 999 blood-red roses surrounded a champagne tower. It was beautiful, like a dark fairytale.

“You cleared the whole floor?”

“Of course.” He came up behind me, his warm breath on my neck. “It’s just us tonight.”

His hand brushed my shoulder as he pulled out my chair. The perfect gentleman.

My heart ached. Every detail screamed of how much thought he’d put into this.

My favorite Dom Pérignon. Black truffles from the south of France. And a birthday cake surrounded by a sea of candles.

“For you, my princess.”

He pulled a black velvet box from his suit pocket. Inside lay a necklace that took my breath away.

A massive emerald, ringed by a halo of diamonds, sparkled in the candlelight.

I shivered when his fingertips grazed my neck.

“Perfect,” he whispered in my ear. “Like it was made for you.”

I raised my champagne glass, trying to hide my racing heart.

Orion sat across from me, his gray eyes burning into mine, threatening to melt me.

It had been five years since I was reborn. Five years I’d spent by his side.

I was his secret. His only woman.

I knew he didn’t do marriage. But the way he looked at me, the way he made love to me… it made me hope. It made me dream that he would ask me to be his wife.

But last night, my best friend Emma had shattered that dream.

“Evangeline, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but… I can’t let you stay in the dark.”

“Orion proposed to Sienna Rossi. The alliance will be announced at the family dinner next week. The whole underworld knows. Everyone but you… Their wedding is set for Christmas Eve.”

My hand trembled. I could barely hold my glass. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I was such a fool.

“Make a wish,” he said softly, gesturing to the cake.

I stared at the dancing flames, my heart twisting into a knot.

“Let me guess,” he traced my lips with his finger, his voice a low growl. “Your wish is still ‘to be Orion Corvo’s wife, forever,’ right?”

His touch sent a shock through me, but his words were a knife in the gut.

Look at him. He knew exactly what I wanted. And he was still marrying someone else.

I looked at the face I had loved for two lifetimes and saw a stranger.

Was this really the same Orion who had died for me?

Orion lit a cigarette, a lazy, confident smile on his face. He was waiting for me to make my wish.

But if he wasn't the man who loved me, then none of this mattered.

I was a De Luca. I was raised a princess, showered with love.

I didn’t need some of his love. I needed to be his only love.

Taking a deep breath, I blew out the candles.

“Orion,” my voice was sharp in the silence. “My wish is… to disappear from your world. Completely.”

The moment the words left my mouth, the warmth on Orion’s face froze.

His gray eyes turned dangerous and cold. I took a step back.

“What did you say?”

The next second, Orion shot up from his chair, grabbed my waist, and yanked me against him.

“Good girl,” he said, his eyes empty of their earlier warmth. “Take it back. Make a new wish.”

His fingers tightened. I could feel the heat of his palm, the threat hidden beneath.

This was Orion Corvo. The King of Chicago.

The gentleman was a mask. Underneath, it was all control. All possession.

“Make a new wish,” he growled, forcing me to look at him. “Say you’ll never leave me.”

I knew he wouldn’t let me go easily. Arguing now would only make things worse for me.

I pushed down the storm of emotions inside me and forced a smile.

“I was just kidding. How could I ever leave you?”

His grip loosened, but he didn’t let go.

“That’s better.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “You’re mine, Evangeline. Always.”

I nodded, playing the part of the obedient girl.

The next day, I went to his office. Orion was buried in paperwork, stacks of contracts waiting for his signature.

“These need your signature too.” I slipped the termination contract into the stack and handed it to him.

He didn't even look up, just started signing, his black fountain pen leaving a powerful scrawl on each page.

When he signed the last one, I discreetly pulled my contract from the bottom.

From now on, I had no legal ties to the Corvo family.

I was no longer his art appraiser.

For five years, I had used my talent for art and my fluency in eight languages to travel the world with him.

From ancient castles in Florence to private auctions in Tokyo. From the black markets of Paris to lavish exhibitions in Dubai.

Every treasure passed through my hands. Every multi-million-dollar deal had my mark on it.

But now, it was all over.

“Are you free tonight?” Orion put down his pen and finally looked at me.

“What did you have in mind?”

“I want to take you to a concert.” He stood and walked toward me. “The principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony. He’s playing just for you.”

I froze. He remembered the cello was my favorite.

“Just the two of us?”

“Of course.” He kissed the back of my hand. “My girl deserves the best.”

That evening, we arrived at a private concert hall.

The entire venue was lit just for us. On stage, the world-class cellist was playing a soulful rendition of “The Swan.”

The music was beautiful. And it broke my heart.

After the performance, we stepped outside. The night air was cool, and Orion draped his suit jacket over my shoulders.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance.

Sienna Rossi.

A cascade of fiery red curls, a black evening gown that clung to her slim waist, a diamond necklace glittering at her throat.

I had seen her in my past life, too.

Back then, she was Orion’s ex-fiancée. They had called it off quickly and never spoken again.

But now…

“Orion, what a coincidence.” Sienna’s voice was sweet as honey. “How was the show?”

“Not bad,” Orion replied, his tone flat.

Sienna’s gaze shifted to me, looking me up and down.

“You must be the little De Luca princess. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Her smile was perfect, but I saw the challenge in her eyes.

“Actually, I helped arrange this concert,” Sienna continued. “The cellist and I are old friends.”

I glanced at Orion. His expression didn’t change.

“Thank you,” I said politely.

“Don’t mention it.” Sienna’s smile widened. “After all, Orion and I… we go way back.”

The implication was clear. My stomach tightened.

“I’m just going to the restroom,” I said, needing an escape.

As I walked away, I heard Sienna’s voice behind me.

“I’ve heard all about you two. But really, once we’re married… do you think she’ll be okay with sharing?”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

Orion’s voice was casual, arrogant. “Her? She’s obsessed with me. She’d do anything to stay by my side.”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I bit my lip so hard I could taste blood, my nails digging into my palms.

For five years, I thought I was his only one.

I gave up my education in Europe, gave up the debutante life my family planned for me, all to follow him into his world of blood and danger.

And now I knew the truth. I was just another piece in his collection.

My hands trembling, I pulled out my burner phone and dialed a number.

“It’s me.”

“Miss?” The voice on the other end was surprised.

“I need to be out of the country in ten days,” I said, my voice so cold it scared even me. “Get me to Switzerland. And make sure the Corvos never find me.”

“Understood.”

I hung up and took a deep, shaky breath.

My own countdown had begun.

This time, it would be a real rebirth.

I walked back to the entrance, my face a blank mask.

They were acting like nothing had happened.

I played along, linking my arm with Orion’s. “Time to go home?”

Home. The penthouse he used to sleep with me. I guess that’s what it was.

Sienna was still there, wearing that smug smile. “Perfect timing. There’s a game tonight, and Orion said you’re invited. I was worried a little princess like you couldn't handle it.”

Orion wrapped his arm around my waist, gave me a quick, possessive kiss, and led me to the car.

We arrived at his underground den, a place reserved for his inner circle.

In the dim light, men were crowded around several poker tables.

Stacks of chips worth a small fortune sat in front of each player.

“Tonight’s buy-in is ten million,” Orion whispered in my ear. “Want to play?”

I nodded.

For five years, I wasn’t just his art expert. I was his right hand.

A photographic memory, a mind for psychological games, a knack for numbers—I thrived in places like this.

We sat down. Our opponents were a few older men in expensive suits, all key players from other families.

“The beauty is playing?” one of the bald men asked, eyeing me.

“Of course.” Orion pushed a stack of chips in front of me. “My woman never disappoints.”

The first hand was dealt.

I calmly watched everyone, their tells, their bets, calculating the odds.

The bald man always touched his nose when he was bluffing.

The skinny guy to my left sat up straighter when he had a good hand.

The fat guy across from me would start breathing faster.

I won the first hand. Then the second. Then the third.

Orion sat behind me, his hand resting on my shoulder, his eyes filled with pride and possession.

“See?” he said to the others. “That’s my woman. An angel with brains and beauty.”

I felt nothing.

My woman.

To him, I was just another beautiful thing he owned.

As I leaned forward to collect my chips, my gaze dropped under the table. I froze.

Sienna’s foot.

She was sitting next to Orion. I hadn't even noticed.

She was wearing black, strappy heels, and her foot was tracing circles on the inside of Orion’s thigh. Right through the expensive fabric of his suit.

I could see the bulge growing under the table.

And Orion? He held his cards without a tremor, his expression unchanged.

My heart pounded, blood rushing to my head.

“Evangeline?” Orion noticed I’d gone stiff.

“I’m fine,” I forced myself to sit up straight. “Let’s keep playing.”

But my hands were shaking.

I started making mistakes. My advantage slipped away. My chips dwindled.

“What’s wrong?” Orion whispered. “Don’t you feel well?”

“I’m fine.”

For the final hand, Sienna suddenly spoke up. “I want in.”

She sat across from me, a smirk on her red lips.

“Of course,” the other men welcomed her.

The pot was fifty million dollars.

Sienna was a surprisingly good player. She was aggressive, pushing everyone into a corner.

In the end, she won.

“Congratulations, Miss Rossi,” the men applauded.

“Thank you.” Sienna stood up and walked over to Orion. “But it’s not the money I want.”

She paused, her eyes locking with mine in a clear challenge.

“I want… the new shipping route to South America.”

My heart stopped.

I had spent countless sleepless nights designing that route. It bypassed every customs checkpoint. It was worth hundreds of millions.

“Orion, you promised me,” Sienna cooed. “If I won, I’d get what I wanted.”

Orion lazily flicked the ash from his cigarette and glanced at me.

“If you like it, it’s yours.”

Those six words hit me like a bolt of lightning.

I shot to my feet, my chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“Evangeline?” Everyone turned to look at me.

I didn’t answer. I just turned and ran from the smoke-filled room.

I heard Orion’s footsteps behind me.

“Evangeline, wait!”

He caught me in the hallway, pinning me against the cold wall.

“Jealous?” he asked, a hint of pleasure in his voice. “My girl, you’re the only one for me. I’ll make it up to you when we get home.”

The only one?

Then why was he marrying someone else without even telling me?

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them.

It was already past midnight. Nine days left until I was gone.

After he dropped me off at the penthouse, he said he had some family business to handle and left.

I didn’t know if he was going to see Sienna. If he was going to press her against a wall and answer the invitation she’d given him under the poker table.

A sharp pain shot through my chest, but I said nothing.

Just as he was about to leave, a bodyguard rushed over with a velvet box.

“Boss, it’s here.”

Orion took the box, opened it, and nodded in satisfaction.

I glanced over, my heart skipping a beat.

It was a massive diamond. The Regent Diamond, rumored to have once been part of the British Crown Jewels.

I had dreamed of that diamond. I had told him about it countless times.

Was this his way of making it up to me?

A flicker of hope ignited in me. I instinctively reached for it.

But in the next second, Orion snapped the box shut, a flash of annoyance in his eyes.

The message was clear. The diamond, like his future, had nothing to do with me.