- Chapter 1
- The De Luca estate’s marble floors echoed with Valerie’s footsteps as she made her final rounds before the birthday party.
- Each click of her heels reminded her of how alone she felt in this vast house—a house that should have felt like home by now.
- She paused before a gilded mirror, studying her reflection.
- The emerald silk dress hugged her curves perfectly. Diamonds glittered at her throat—all gifts from Stephan. Back then, he looked at her like she was his world.
- Now, these luxuries felt like beautiful chains, not tokens of love.
- Six years ago, Valerie fell for Stephan De Luca, heir to a powerful crime family. To him, she must have seemed like a nobody.
- She wasn’t the daughter of a wealthy businessman or a high-society princess. To him, she had no power or crime ties.
- Just a woman with no connections and no name that mattered.
- She met Stephan by accident, in a world where accidents didn’t happen. It was at a high-end club, where she managed things for a powerful owner. She had dealt with drunk VIPs, handled security problems, and made sure the right people got what they wanted.
- One night, Stephan had been one of those people.
- She had caught his eye—not because she belonged in his world, but because she didn’t. Not then.
- He had pursued her.
- He had made her feel special. Different. Wanted.
- And when he had offered her a place by his side, she had taken it—blindly, foolishly, believing that love could erase anything.
- He’d been everything dangerous and alluring wrapped in Italian suits and sharp smiles. When he’d slipped that engagement ring on her finger, she’d thought she’d found her forever.
- Now, that ring felt heavy on her finger—a constant reminder of promises that seemed to mean less with each passing day.
- “The flower arrangements need to be moved to the side tables,” she instructed a passing server, who barely glanced her way before hurrying off.
- Valerie swallowed hard, forcing down the familiar sting of being ignored.
- The ballroom was transformed for Stephan’s thirty-seventh birthday celebration.
- Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over tables draped in cream silk, wine bottles worth more than cars lined up behind the bar, and staff rushed about with last-minute preparations.
- Valerie had overseen every detail, determined to make it perfect. Maybe then he’d notice her again.
- She adjusted the seating chart one final time, ensuring rival families were placed far enough apart to prevent any unfortunate incidents.
- This was the kind of thing she’d learned to manage over the years—the delicate balance of power and pride that kept the criminal underworld from erupting into chaos.
- “The champagne should be at exactly forty-three degrees,” she reminded the head server. “Mr. De Luca prefers—”
- “We know how he likes it,” the man cut her off, not even trying to hide his dismissive tone.
- Valerie’s cheeks burned, but she kept her composure. She’d gotten good at that—maintaining dignity in the face of constant subtle humiliations.
- A maid rushed up to her, flustered and red-faced. “What are you doing here? The staff is supposed to stay in the kitchen during the party.”
- The words hit Valerie like a physical blow. She stared at the maid, willing her voice to remain steady.
- “I’m not staff. I’m Mr. De Luca’s fiancée.”
- The maid’s eyes widened in embarrassment, but the damage was done. Valerie watched her scurry away, feeling something crack inside her chest.
- Even the servants didn’t recognize her anymore.
- She retreated to a quiet corner, pressing her palms against the cool wall to ground herself. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
- She remembered how Stephan used to look at her—like she was the only woman in the world. How his touch would linger, how his smile would soften just for her.
- Now, she was lucky if he acknowledged her presence at all.
- A few hours later, the grand doors opened, and guests began arriving. Valerie straightened her spine, plastered on her perfect hostess smile, and prepared to play her part.
- She greeted crime bosses and their wives, corrupt politicians and their mistresses, all while scanning the crowd for Stephan.
- She spotted Stefano near his father, Lorenzo, looking devastatingly handsome in a black suit that probably cost more than most of his cars. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his jaw clean-shaven—everything about him screamed power and control.
- Then she saw her.
- Catherine Durand swept into the ballroom like she owned it, wrapped in a ruby red gown that caught every eye.
- The governor’s daughter carried herself with the confidence of someone who had never been invisible a day in her life.
- Valerie watched, something cold and heavy settling in her stomach, as Stephan’s entire demeanor changed.
- His usually stern expression softened, his body language shifted, and he moved toward Catherine like a moth drawn to flame.
- He took Catherine’s hand, bringing it to his lips in a gesture that was just a touch too intimate for mere acquaintances.
- When he leaned in to whisper something in her ear, Catherine’s resulting laugh felt like a knife in Valerie’s heart.
- Something was wrong. Very wrong.
