Leo ignored me, not a hint of panic on his face at being discovered.

He fed a peeled grape into Rosalie's mouth before finally speaking.

"Elena, this is just a small punishment for hurting Rosalie."

A small punishment? If I hadn't known how to fight, they would have had their way with me today.

Seeing my anger, Rosalie's eyes curved into a smile. "Elena, I didn't realize you had a few moves. It seems the rumors out there are true."

Rumors had always swirled through the Chicago underworld that I was a hired street fighter.

"With a background like yours, like a street thug, you're too intimidating. The Moretti family won't like you."

Rosalie blinked, her innocent expression a mask of pure hypocrisy.

I slapped her across the face.

"As his adoptive sister, you're clinging to him every day. Don't you think that's inappropriate? Or have you fallen in love with him?"

Of course. A schoolgirl crush is the easiest thing in the world to spot.

Rosalie clutched her face, looking utterly wronged. "Elena, you've gone too far! How could you accuse me of something so vile!"

"Papa and Mamma are busy. I finally came home from boarding school in Europe, and I just want to make up for the lost time with Leo. Are you saying there's no room in Leo's life for his family, only for a girlfriend? You're so possessive!"

Leo yanked me away. "Elena, what is wrong with you? Do you think dating me for ten years means you have me on a leash?"

"Rosalie, don't listen to her. She's not part of the Moretti family yet. An outsider has no right to discipline you."

His words were like ice water poured into my veins.

Ten years. I gave up everything for him, trading my old life to become a devoted partner, trying every way I could to please him.

Even for the Moretti patriarch and matriarch whom I'd never met, I was always vigilant, secretly using my connections to help whenever I could.

But now, he was calling me an outsider.

Unlike the ninety-eight times before, I didn't argue. I just returned to my room in silence.

Maybe Dante was right. This kind of man really wasn't worthy of me.

I would consider the last ten years of my life utterly wasted.

I moved out of the penthouse apartment I shared with Leo.

The thought of being watched without my knowledge, of becoming a joke in their private conversations, sickened me and killed any last shred of feeling I had for Leo.

Leo had spent the entire night next door.

When he opened his door and saw my luggage piled in the hallway, he raised an eyebrow.

"Angry? Thinking of running away from home?"

I ignored him. He seemed to be in a good mood.

He actually had the nerve to try and placate me.

"Don't be angry. Rosalie was bullied, so I had to have her back. Besides, if she went back and complained to my parents and exposed you, wouldn't that ruin their image of you?"

"Be good, stop making a scene. I'm doing this for you, too. Rosalie was right, my mother hates crude behavior. I'm working on building a better image for you. When the time is right, I'll take you to meet my family."

His words were a knife in my gut.

Crude behavior?

The first time Leo and I met was when I saved him from his enemies during a shootout.

If I hadn't single-handedly taken down all the gunmen, Leo would have been dead long ago.

Back then, he had personally praised me, saying I was a brave and resourceful girl, unlike any other woman.

Now, he found me too "wild."

A hot, stinging sensation filled my eyes. I dug my nails into my palms to keep the tears from falling.

Rosalie followed him out. "Elena, where are you going?"

She didn't seem to care that I didn't answer, pulling on Leo's arm. "Leo, hurry up, we still have to go for our wedding photoshoot."

The words hit me like a physical blow.

"Wedding photoshoot?"

Leo ruffled Rosalie's hair dotingly.

"Every girl dreams of a wedding dress. Rosalie doesn't have a boyfriend yet, so I'll go with her."

"Are you insane? Leo, you're her adoptive brother!"

Rosalie retorted, dissatisfied, "Elena, you're so old-fashioned. So what if we're siblings? It's just a photoshoot. Who says only married couples can take wedding photos?"

Leo's expression was gentle. "Rosalie is right. Elena, you grew up on the streets. You're not like Rosalie, who was educated in Europe. It's normal that you don't understand."

I stared at Leo and took a deep breath.

"You're really going through with this photoshoot?"

Leo nodded.

"Let's break up, Leo."

"Elena, it's just a photoshoot. It's not that big a deal."

"It is to me."

I closed my eyes.

In the ten years of our relationship, I could count the number of photos I had with Leo on both hands.

Leo said he didn't like having his picture taken.

But beyond them, I could see Rosalie's apartment walls were covered with photos of her and Leo.

I had also dreamed of standing by his side in a wedding dress.

But Leo had said coldly, "You're covered in scars. A wedding dress wouldn't suit you. Don't even think about it."

I thought he just felt the time wasn't right, but now, with just a word from Rosalie, he had readily agreed.

Without any regard for my feelings.

Leo hesitated slightly.

Hearing my words, Rosalie burst into tears.

"Fine! I won't go! I don't want to come between you two! Maybe I shouldn't even be here! I can't even take a damn picture!"

With that, she ran toward the balcony.

Leo shoved me aside. I slammed hard into the sharp corner of the staircase railing, splitting my head open. Blood streamed down.

But Leo didn't spare me a glance. He caught Rosalie as she climbed onto the balcony and lifted her down.

"We're going! A future wife can be replaced, but I only have one sister!"