My hand, suspended in mid-air, fell back to my side. I rubbed my fingers together, not knowing what to say.

Orion seemed to realize he’d been harsh. He gave me a soft smile. “You like it? I’ll get you something better. This one’s for something else.”

I forced a polite smile.

Something else. He walked out with the diamond of my dreams, not even looking back.

The click of the closing door was deafening in the silence. My smile vanished.

He was going to give the diamond I’d always wanted to another woman. In the middle of the night.

Did he think I was too stupid to care? Or did he just not care if my heart broke?

Standing in the empty apartment, I remembered his last words in my past life:

“I love you… I’ve always loved you…”

So this is what love was worth.

This is how foolish I could be.

I walked to the safe hidden in the bedroom.

I took out every piece of jewelry, every work of art Orion had given me over the last five years. I photographed them all and sent them to the biggest black market auction house in Europe.

The tagline: “The collection of Don Corvo’s ex-lover. Highest bidder wins.”

Pearls, sapphires, antique scrolls—a mess of priceless things.

I called the auction house director on an encrypted line. “I’m selling everything Orion ever gave me. You in?”

He was shocked. “Everything? This is all top-tier stuff. Did you two have a falling out? He’s not gonna be happy about you selling his gifts.”

My eyes went dark. “He won’t even notice.”

He was too busy with Sienna to notice me.

Orion didn't come home that night.

The next day, the auction preview went live and sent a shockwave through the underworld. Orion stormed back, his face a thundercloud.

Looking at his dark expression, I just smiled, showing no guilt. “They’re out of style. I don’t like them anymore.”

I even walked up to him, took his jacket like I always did, and kissed his cheek. “You’ve been up all night. Want some calming soup? I’ll make it for you.”

My gentle concern seemed to soothe him. His expression softened.

“Leo is coming to Chicago later. He said he has a surprise for you. I’ll take you to see him.”

Leo. My brother. The youngest district attorney in New York history, but ruthless enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Orion.

He pulled a pink diamond necklace from his pocket, moved my hair aside, and fastened it around my neck.

“You’re a De Luca princess. If your brother sees you without any decent jewelry, he’ll think I’m mistreating you.”

But all I could think about was the diamond from last night. I had to laugh at myself.

Wasn’t he mistreating me?

Twenty minutes later, we were at one of Orion’s restaurants.

Leo was already in a private room. When he saw me, a flicker of worry crossed his face.

“Eva, you look thin. Mom and Dad have been worried. We supported you coming to Chicago, but isn’t it time you came home and settled down? They’ve already picked out some marriage candidates…”

At the word “marriage,” Orion, who had been lazily smoking a cigar, suddenly stiffened and stubbed it out.

He swirled his wine. Under the table, his foot found my calf, tracing lazy circles. A clear, possessive claim.

But his words were casual. He feigned curiosity. “Eva, I’ve taken care of you for five years, and I still don’t know what kind of man you like. Tell me.”

I’d always been the good, obedient girl.

It was only after being reborn that I dared to defy my family, follow Orion, and have a secret five-year affair with him.

Before, a question like this in front of my brother would have made me blush and stammer.

But this time, I subtly knocked his foot away under the table and answered calmly, “I like a gentleman. Someone kind, loyal… someone outside of this world of blood and conflict.”

In other words, the exact opposite of Orion.

“You two chat. I’m going to the restroom.”

The smile vanished from Orion’s face. His eyes went dark.

I caught his expression out of the corner of my eye but didn’t care.

Eight days left. I’d be gone soon enough.

But as I stepped out of the women’s restroom, a hand shot out, grabbed my waist, and dragged me into the empty men’s room next door.

Click. The stall door locked.

A large hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my gasp.

In the cramped, dim space, his sharp gaze burned right through me.

I struggled, frowning.

How could he drag me in here? What if my brother…

Seeing my anger, a dangerous smile played on his lips. He leaned in, his voice a low growl. “Gentle? Loyal?” he growled, his voice a low threat. “Since when do you like weak men?”

Before I could answer, his tall frame pressed against me. He grabbed my chin and crashed his lips onto mine.

I raised my hands to push him away, but then I heard Leo’s voice from outside—

“Orion, do you think my sister is seeing someone? You better keep a close eye on her. And keep your filthy men away from her.”

Orion’s kiss was rough and punishing. I winced in pain and bit down. Hard.

“Ngh—”

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I’d split his lip.

He hissed in pain but held me tighter, one hand still covering my mouth while he pressed a finger to his own lips, signaling for silence.

He forced his voice to sound steady as he answered Leo. “Don’t worry. My men wouldn’t dare.”

Leo scoffed. “The De Luca family’s daughter will never marry into the mob. Make sure your men get that through their heads. You watch her, and you watch yourself.”

“Leo, relax,” Orion’s voice was unreadable. “I’ll protect her.”

“Protect her?” Leo laughed coldly. “The best protection is keeping her out of your world.”

The footsteps faded.

Once Leo was gone, Orion finally let me go. He gently wiped the moisture from the corner of my mouth, and the blood from his own.

“You bit me. Feel better now?”

I looked down, didn’t answer, and pushed open the door.

I had just sat down when Orion followed me back to the table.

Leo’s eyes narrowed as he saw Orion’s swollen lip. He glanced at my own slightly reddened mouth, and his expression turned cold and complicated.

“What happened to your mouth?” Leo finally asked, his tone flat but carrying the weight of a prosecutor’s interrogation.

Orion’s eyes flicked to me. He let out a low, suggestive laugh. “Nothing. Just got bit by a little wildcat with claws.”

I stared down at my water glass and said nothing.

Leo didn't seem to notice the undercurrent between us. He just snorted and repeated his warning.

“My sister has helped you for a few years. It’s time for her to go home. Her future husband must have a clean record.”

Orion’s expression flickered for a second, then he put on a careless smile.

“Of course. She’s a princess.”

Leo stood up to leave.

“It’s getting late. I have to get back to New York.” He came to my side and pulled a manila envelope from his suit. “Eva, here are a few good candidates.”

I took the envelope. Inside were several detailed profiles.

The men in the photos were all handsome. A Wall Street investment banker, a surgeon from Harvard Medical School, a young federal judge.

“All elites with clean family backgrounds,” Leo said. “Mom and Dad approve.”

I could feel Orion’s eyes on me, sharp as knives.

“Thanks, brother.” I stood up. In front of both men, I ripped the profiles to shreds, one by one.

The pieces of paper fluttered down like snowflakes.

Then I threw them all in the trash.

“Eva?” Leo stared at me, shocked.

“I don’t want to get married right now,” I said flatly.

Leo frowned but didn’t push.

“Alright. When you’re ready, we’ll talk.” He patted my shoulder, then looked at Orion. “Take care of her.”

After Leo left, it was just me and Orion in the room.

He walked over, the possessiveness in his eyes almost overflowing.

“Why did you rip them up?” he asked softly, but I heard the danger in his voice.

“Because I didn’t want to look at them.”

“Really?” He leaned closer, his warm breath on my ear. “Or is it because you can’t bear to leave me?”

I didn’t answer.

His voice dropped to a low, seductive whisper. “I want to see you in a wedding dress. Just for me.”

“I may not be able to marry you, but I’ll buy you every wedding dress in the world. You can wear them all for me. In private.”

I ignored his husky voice, pushed him away, and walked out.

I knew. In this lifetime, I would never wear a wedding dress for Orion Corvo.

The next day, with seven days left, my doorbell rang. It was Sienna.

She wore a white suit, the shipping route plans in her hand.

“Here to take over,” she said with a brilliant smile. “Orion says this route is mine now.”

I let her in and poured two cups of tea.

“Thank you for all your hard work.” Sienna flipped through the documents. “This route is genius. It bypasses everything.”

“You’re welcome,” I said calmly.

“By the way,” Sienna put down her cup, “I’m having a little party at my estate tonight to celebrate our new partnership. Want to come?”

“No.”

“What a shame.” She feigned disappointment. “But Orion will be there. We’re going to have so much fun.”

Her words were loaded, but I pretended not to understand.

Whatever she meant, it didn't matter. Orion and I were ending.

No matter how much it hurt, no matter how hard it was to let go, I would cut him out of my future, piece by piece.

After she left, I soaked in a hot bath, letting my mind go blank. Slowly, I started to feel clear-headed again.

I was just about to fall asleep when my phone started ringing, again and again.

I had to get out, wrap myself in a robe, and answer. A frantic voice came through the line.

“Miss De Luca, the boss is at the club, he’s had too much to drink. Can you come pick him up?”

Before I could answer, they hung up.

Picking up a drunk Orion had become my job over the past five years.

If they were calling me, it meant he was drinking himself to death.

I threw on some clothes and was at the underground club in twenty minutes.

I reached the heavy oak door. It was cracked open just enough.

A wave of unease washed over me. With a trembling hand, I pushed it open.

The next second, I was struck by lightning.

On the sofa, Sienna was straddling Orion, wearing nothing but his white silk shirt. Only two buttons were fastened.

His hands were clamped on her waist, their bodies tangled together.

I could hear them. Sienna’s breathy moans. Orion’s low groans.

My hand gripped the doorknob, my knuckles white.

My heart felt like it had been crushed in a fist. The pain was so sharp I couldn't breathe.

I stumbled back, almost hitting the wall.

Run.

That was my only thought.

I burst out of the club, got in my car, and floored it.

Chicago’s skyline blurred past, but I saw nothing. The only thing in my mind was that scene.

Back at the penthouse, I collapsed onto the carpet.

Every memory in this golden cage was now a weapon.

That Italian leather sofa where we watched countless movies.

That Steinway piano he played Chopin’s Nocturnes on for me.

That floor-length mirror where he held me and told me I was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Now, those memories were like shards of glass, cutting me to pieces.

I curled into a ball, hugging my knees.

The clock struck midnight. I took a few deep breaths, fighting back the stabbing pain in my chest, and shakily got to my feet.

“It’s a new day, Evangeline. Six days left. Then you can leave.”

Then the pain would stop.

I kept repeating the number, using it as an anchor to keep from drowning.

At 4 a.m., the sound of the lock turning startled me awake.

Orion was back.

He reeked of stale liquor and another woman’s perfume. He stumbled through the darkness toward the bedroom.

The moment his body came near me, I instinctively clutched the covers and scrambled away.

He wasn’t angry. He just opened his hazy gray eyes, smiled, and ruffled my hair. He was barely conscious. “Just wanted to kiss you, but I woke you up.”

He climbed into bed, rolled over, and pulled me—and the entire duvet—into his arms.

“Evangeline, I love you, I love you so much…”

“We have to be… together… forever and ever…”

He mumbled into my ear, his words thick with a drunken tenderness I no longer wanted.

My body went rigid.

He was whispering words of love, but every single one felt so filthy it made me want to throw up.

He still smelled of Sienna, and now he was telling me he loved me?

What did he take me for?

Why did he think I would stay by his side after he married her?

I waited until he was fast asleep, then I slipped out of his arms. I tried to sleep on the sofa but couldn't. Instead, I started reading through art files for Switzerland, anything to distract myself.

The next morning, Orion was up early.

He changed into a dark blue, custom-made suit, his hair perfectly styled.

“Evangeline, I know I upset you the last couple of days. There’s a party tonight.” He walked over to me. “Come with me? Let me make it up to you.”

Without waiting for an answer, he pulled me out the door.

The banquet hall was filled with the core members of his family, all powerful figures in the mafia world.

Sienna was there, of course, in a stunning blood-red evening gown.

“Well, well, Don. We’ve all heard how you spoil your little De Luca girl. She’s even prettier in person.”

Hearing this, Orion put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. “Damn right,” Orion said, pulling me closer. “She’s mine. So keep your fucking mouths shut.”

The room erupted in laughter. Dozens of teasing glances were thrown my way.

Someone handed us two glasses of wine, goading us to drink together.

But their eyes kept darting to Sienna.

I may have been a good girl, but I grew up in New York’s world of power. I knew exactly what was happening. They were watching a show.

Sienna just smiled, resting her chin on her hand. She met my gaze without flinching, her eyes full of provocation.

“Alright,” Orion said, his voice light as he raised his glass. “Evangeline is the De Luca family’s princess. She’ll always be my… little sister.”

A jolt went through me. Sienna looked up, her smile widening. “Since she’s your sister, you’ll have to give her a big wedding gift. When are you planning on getting married, Evangeline?”

I looked up at Orion, my smile a blade. “Maybe that depends on if the man I’m waiting for ever asks.”

The smile on Orion’s face faltered. He tried to laugh it off. “Okay, okay. Anyway, I don’t believe in marriage. I only love one person, for life. And the person I love must always be by my side.”

He was staring straight at me when he said it, like he was making a sacred promise.

As the teasing died down, I saw Sienna lean closer to Orion out of the corner of my eye. Her fingers slipped inside the open collar of his shirt.

I saw her fingertips trace paths across his chest, right over the spot where the initial of my name, “E,” was tattooed. Leaving faint, suggestive scratches.

He got that tattoo for me on my 20th birthday.

He said he wanted to carve me onto his heart, so he would never forget.

Orion, is this what you meant by loving only one?