Aidan's expression shifted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," I met his gaze, speaking each word with cold precision, "Aidan Callahan, I don't want your love anymore."

"I'll marry anyone in this world but you."

"Seraphina Moretti, who could you possibly marry besides me?"

"Are you actually going to marry that Dante Falcone?"

He sneered, "You, a Don's daughter, throwing your life away on some two-bit soldier who smells of gunpowder and cheap whiskey?"

"Is your pride worth all that?"

"Seraphina, you've been like this since you were a kid, blowing every little thing out of proportion."

"But this is our marriage, Seraphina. It's not like that toy pistol I replaced for you when you were a kid."

When I was little, another kid lost my favorite Browning pistol, and I cried for days.

Aidan scoured every black market in Chicago and spent three months' allowance to buy me an identical one.

Back then, he'd knelt before me and said, "Seraphina, I'd do anything to make you happy."

And now?

Now he was telling me I was throwing a tantrum.

Isabelle chimed in with that syrupy voice of hers, "Principessa, don't be mad at Aidan."

"He's just trying to do what's best for everyone."

"I promise, I'll never overstep. I know my place."

As she spoke, she deliberately snaked her arm through Aidan's, a defiant gesture right in front of me.

Aidan didn't just let her; he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Isabelle's right, Seraphina. You're overthinking this."

He suddenly softened his tone, trying to coax me, but it only made my stomach turn.

"You see? Isabelle is so understanding. The two of you will get along just fine."

"She won't compete with you. I'll set you both up in different residences, so she'll be out of your sight."

"She'll handle my daily needs, and you'll be the elegant face of the family at formal events. A perfect division of labor, don't you think?"

He said it as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world. I stared at him, incredulous.

"Aidan Callahan, do you even hear yourself?"

He frowned. "Seraphina, I just need you to be reasonable."

"A man has needs, you understand."

"Better to have Isabelle by my side than for me to find other women out there. At least she's clean and she knows the rules."

"Aidan."

I said his name, my voice calmer than I'd ever heard it.

"You disgust me."

Displeasure flashed in his eyes. "I disgust you?"

"Seraphina Moretti, I'm thinking about our future here. We grew up together; you know how I feel about you. But feelings are one thing, reality is another. Isabelle was an accident, but she's my responsibility now."

"If you really loved me, you'd understand and support me, not throw a tantrum."

A tantrum.

"Fine. Perfect."

I felt a strange weight lift from my chest.

"Aidan Callahan, thank you for showing me who you really are."

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist. "Where are you going?"

"Home. To prepare for my wedding."

I wrenched my hand from his. "Since you want me to marry Dante Falcone so badly, then fine. You've got it."

Back home, I pushed open the door to my father's study.

"Papa, arrange the wedding."

My father's face went pale. "Do you have any idea what you're saying?"

"I know exactly what I'm saying."

"Papa, Aidan Callahan isn't fit to be my husband. He wants me to accept his mistress."

"But I am Seraphina Moretti. I would rather marry a common soldato than suffer that humiliation."

My father was silent for a long time before he finally sighed.

"Seraphina, I know you've been wronged."

"But this Dante... can he make you happy?"

"Papa, happiness isn't something someone gives you. It's something you fight for."

I took my father's hand. "You have to trust me."

"I am the heir to the Moretti family. I can't let our name be tarnished by a broken promise."

"No matter who I marry, I'll still be your daughter. And I will make myself happy."

Just then, my mother walked in. She exchanged a look with my father. "Alright. Since you've decided, we will support you. The women of the Moretti family are not cowards."

The next morning, as I was taking inventory of my personal assets, I heard the roar of an engine downstairs.

The butler rushed upstairs in a panic. "Principessa! Mr. Callahan is here! He looks furious and is demanding to see you!"

I didn't even look up. "Tell him we have nothing to discuss."

Aidan stormed into my room anyway, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Seraphina Moretti! Where is Isabelle? What did you do to her?"

I was stunned. "Missing? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Still playing innocent?"

He grabbed my arm, his grip bruising.

"Isabelle went out this morning and never came back. Her phone is off. No one can reach her."

"Who else would do this to her but you?"

I tore my arm from his grasp. "Aidan Callahan, are you out of your mind?"

"Why would I do anything to her?"

"Because you're jealous! Because you can't stand that she's with me now!"

"Is that really what you think of me, Aidan? That I'm capable of something so cruel?"

He didn't answer, just glared at me with cold accusation.

"If anything happens to Isabelle, I will make you pay."

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Whatever the person on the other end said made his face turn grim. He grabbed me and dragged me out of the house.