I've spent a huge sum of money on a custom-fitted gown just so I can go on a date with my fiance, Vincenzo Rossi, on New Year's Eve. He's also known as the rising star of the mafia underworld.

But Vincenzo sounds very impatient on the other end of the line.

"Can you stop being so clingy, Grazia? I have an important business gathering to get to on New Year's Eve!"

His younger sister, Valentina Rossi, adds, "My brother's doing this for the sake of your shared future, Grazia. Stop causing trouble for him, okay?"

I end the call, feeling disappointed. After that, I console myself, saying that Vincenzo is working very hard for the sake of our future.

But that illusion only lasts till the moment my friend sends a video clip to me.

Vincenzo can be seen hugging a gorgeous woman in the clubhouse. They are in the middle of making out with each other.

Valentina, on the other hand, leads her friends on as they cheer for the couple.

It turns out that Vincenzo's "important business" is to spend the night with another woman.

I drain my glass of the strong alcohol. Scorching pain flares from my stomach immediately.

Since Vincenzo can find himself a woman to toy with, then why can't I do the same?

I swipe a finger across my phone and dial the number of the rival family's Don.

"I want you to order the two most good-looking male escorts for me right now."

"Give me 15 minutes. I'll be right downstairs."

I hung up and walked into the dressing room. The gown I'd carefully custom-made for Vincenzo Rossi hung there quietly.

I remembered when we'd ordered it. Vincenzo had waved it off, saying, "It's just New Year's Eve. No need to make such a big deal."

At the time, I thought he was being considerate. Now I understood he'd found me a nuisance.

The woman in the mirror had delicate features, but her eyes were hollow.

The doorbell rang right on time. I opened the door to find two men standing tall outside, both in perfectly tailored black suits, their demeanor cold and professional.

"Good evening, Signorina Gatti."

I nodded and stepped aside to let them in. "Give me five minutes."

I walked into the makeup room and applied the brightest red lipstick I owned.

"Let's go."

Once I'd settled into the spacious back seat, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Vincenzo's sister, Valentina Rossi.

"Grazia, Vincenzo is handling family business tonight. Several Dons are present. You should rest early and not disturb him, okay?"

I smiled bitterly and replied. "Alright. I wish him success."

The car stopped in front of the club, an Abate family property. With wine, women, and indulgence, no one could resist this place.

Deafening music pounded against the car windows. I pushed open the door, and the two male escorts flanked me on either side.

Inside, the lighting was dim, and the crowd was deafening. The air was thick with alcohol and hormone.

I spotted Vincenzo immediately in the corner. He held that woman from the video tightly in his arms, kissing her as if his life depended on it. One hand had already slipped beneath her clothes.

Valentina and a pack of his worthless friends whistled obscenely beside them, raising their glasses and cheering wildly.

I looped my arms through both male escorts' and walked toward the center of the dance floor. The spotlight swept across my face with eerie precision.

The music cut off abruptly. The instant Vincenzo saw me, he froze. His hand yanked out from beneath the woman's clothes.

Valentina's mouth hung open, her cheer dying in her throat. Their faces showed shock that they couldn't mask fast enough, as well as the ugly embarrassment of being caught.

I led my entourage straight toward the best VIP booth in the house. I sat down gracefully, my voice quiet but cutting through the silence.

"Tonight, everything in this club is on me."

The entire club went silent for a heartbeat, then erupted in thunderous cheers. Only Vincenzo's corner remained quiet as a grave.

I looked at the bartender and placed my order. "Bring me ten bottles of your most expensive liquor."

Then I shifted my gaze to Vincenzo's table.

"Especially for that corner table. Send each of them a bottle. My treat." I paused. "Tell them Grazia Gatti is buying their drinks tonight."

I was at the bar playing dice games with a growing crowd of men.

My companions, Alessandro and Angelo, circled me. Plenty of other men who thought themselves attractive enough grew bold, crowding around my table to offer themselves up.

Round after round of dice clattered across the table. No matter what I rolled, they found ways to keep me entertained.

Glass after glass went down.

Valentina finally snapped. She stormed over, practically vibrating with fury and humiliation.

"Grazia! What the hell are you doing? Don't you have any shame? Who are these people?"

I lifted my head and gave her a lazy look, then smiled. The smile didn't quite reach my eyes.

"What's wrong?"

I threw her own message back at her, word for word. "Your brother gets to work hard out here for our future, but I can't?"

I paused, my gaze sliding past her to Vincenzo, whose expression had gone dark as thunder. "Or is it that Vincenzo's future doesn't include me anymore?"

Valentina's face flushed red, then white. I'd backed her into a corner, and she had nothing to say.

"Y-You're talking nonsense! Vincenzo was handling legitimate business!"

Vincenzo finally stepped forward, his expression murderous. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight my bones creaked.

"Enough. Come home with me right now. Stop making a fool of yourself."

Pain shot through my wrist. I frowned, but before I could say anything, Alessandro and Angelo both rose to their feet, blocking him from me.

Alessandro reached out. His movement was graceful, but his strength was undeniable as he separated Vincenzo's hand from my wrist.

"Signor, manhandling a lady is hardly gentlemanly behavior."

Angelo's voice was colder. "Signorina Gatti clearly doesn't belong to you tonight."

Vincenzo froze in place.

"Isn't that Vincenzo from the Rossi family?"

"How interesting. The engaged couple, one with a mistress, one with male escorts."

"Look at Vincenzo's face. He's green with rage. This is gonna be good."

To them, I was nothing more than Vincenzo's accessory—a pretty ornament with no place in their world of blood and bullets.

But I didn't care about their mocking or pitying stares. The moment Vincenzo betrayed me, he stopped being my fiance.

The stares and whispers stripped away Vincenzo's pride piece by piece. His face flushed with rage, and he raised his hand to strike.

Two massive club security guards stepped forward immediately. "Signor, we don't tolerate fighting. You'll be banned if you continue."

Vincenzo's hand hung in mid-air like he was a clown in a bad show. I stood slowly and smoothed out the wrinkles he'd left in my dress.

I raised my glass toward him and the club woman behind him, whose face had gone pale with fear.

"Vincenzo, happy New Year's Eve."

My voice wasn't loud, but it carried through the entire room. "I hope you both have a wonderful time."

Then I leaned in and pressed a bright red kiss onto Alessandro's sharp cheekbone. The entire club gasped in unison.

I saw the murderous rage blazing in Vincenzo's eyes. Under his murderous glare, I took Alessandro and Angelo by the arms and walked out of the club without looking back.

When I got home, my phone was practically exploding. Missed calls and frantic messages from Vincenzo and Valentina flooded the screen.

I put it on silent and tossed it into the corner of the couch like trash. I peeled off the gorgeous but freezing gown and changed into my most comfortable pajamas.

I stood in front of the mirror and stared at myself. My makeup was gone, leaving behind my pale face and exhaustion pooling beneath my eyes.

I was nothing like the young woman from five years ago. That person had been vibrant, her face always glowing with happiness.

I stood there for a long time. Then tears came without warning and rolled down to my lips, their saltiness spreading across my tongue.

For Vincenzo, I'd given up my chance to study abroad. I'd abandoned a promising career. I'd stayed in Emaly for him, carving out a little haven for us in a world of guns and smoke.

For five whole years, I'd poured everything I had into becoming a Rossi. I thought I'd be his everything. But it turned out I was nothing, just something disposable.

The sound of a key turning violently in the lock came from outside. I quickly wiped away my tears. When I turned around, I found myself face-to-face with Vincenzo's furious expression.

He burst in like an enraged bull. His eyes were bloodshot, and his suit jacket was thrown carelessly over his arm.

He reeked of another woman's cheap perfume. The smell was sharp and nauseating.

"Grazia! You've really grown some nerve, haven't you!"

He stormed up to me, reeking of alcohol, his voice a roar.

"How long have you been sleeping with those male escorts? Have you been cheating on me this whole time? Did you really throw away your dignity just to get back at me?"

I looked at him and suddenly found it all ridiculous. I laughed coldly.

"You're the one who was making out with another woman at the club. Not me.

"You're the one who had your tongue down someone else's throat. Not me."

Vincenzo choked on his words. The fury on his face slowly gave way to guilt and panic.

"Grazia, I was wrong. I just drank too much and wasn't thinking straight. It was just for show.

"I swear, you're the only one in my heart. You've always been the only one. Please forgive me this once, okay?"

He started playing his favorite card—the emotional manipulation. It was his go-to weapon after every mistake, and it had never failed him before.

In the past, I'd always softened. But today, watching his clumsy, fake performance, I only felt disgusted.

I yanked my hand away from his like I'd touched something filthy.

"Vincenzo Rossi." My voice came out steady and cold. "We're done."

The room went silent. Vincenzo stood frozen in place, like he was seeing me for the first time.

A few seconds later, he suddenly laughed. The sound was full of contempt and disdain.

"Done?"

It was like I'd just told the world's funniest joke. He clenched his jaw, his eyes dark as they raked over me from head to toe.

"Grazia."

He moved closer, step by step, his voice dripping with the arrogance of someone who thought he owned me.

"This house you're living in? I bought it. That car you drive? I gave it to you. Every breath of air you take on this land, I'm the one paying for it."

He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. "Without me, how are you going to survive?"