Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride

The next second, Orion shot up from his chair, grabbed my waist, and yanked me against him.

“Good girl,” he said, his eyes empty of their earlier warmth. “Take it back. Make a new wish.”

His fingers tightened. I could feel the heat of his palm, the threat hidden beneath.

This was Orion Corvo. The King of Chicago.

The gentleman was a mask. Underneath, it was all control. All possession.

“Make a new wish,” he growled, forcing me to look at him. “Say you’ll never leave me.”

I knew he wouldn’t let me go easily. Arguing now would only make things worse for me.

I pushed down the storm of emotions inside me and forced a smile.

“I was just kidding. How could I ever leave you?”

His grip loosened, but he didn’t let go.

“That’s better.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “You’re mine, Evangeline. Always.”

I nodded, playing the part of the obedient girl.

The next day, I went to his office. Orion was buried in paperwork, stacks of contracts waiting for his signature.

“These need your signature too.” I slipped the termination contract into the stack and handed it to him.

He didn't even look up, just started signing, his black fountain pen leaving a powerful scrawl on each page.

When he signed the last one, I discreetly pulled my contract from the bottom.

From now on, I had no legal ties to the Corvo family.

I was no longer his art appraiser.

For five years, I had used my talent for art and my fluency in eight languages to travel the world with him.

From ancient castles in Florence to private auctions in Tokyo. From the black markets of Paris to lavish exhibitions in Dubai.

Every treasure passed through my hands. Every multi-million-dollar deal had my mark on it.

But now, it was all over.

“Are you free tonight?” Orion put down his pen and finally looked at me.

“What did you have in mind?”

“I want to take you to a concert.” He stood and walked toward me. “The principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony. He’s playing just for you.”

I froze. He remembered the cello was my favorite.

“Just the two of us?”

“Of course.” He kissed the back of my hand. “My girl deserves the best.”

That evening, we arrived at a private concert hall.

The entire venue was lit just for us. On stage, the world-class cellist was playing a soulful rendition of “The Swan.”

The music was beautiful. And it broke my heart.

After the performance, we stepped outside. The night air was cool, and Orion draped his suit jacket over my shoulders.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance.

Sienna Rossi.

A cascade of fiery red curls, a black evening gown that clung to her slim waist, a diamond necklace glittering at her throat.

I had seen her in my past life, too.

Back then, she was Orion’s ex-fiancée. They had called it off quickly and never spoken again.

But now…

“Orion, what a coincidence.” Sienna’s voice was sweet as honey. “How was the show?”

“Not bad,” Orion replied, his tone flat.

Sienna’s gaze shifted to me, looking me up and down.

“You must be the little De Luca princess. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Her smile was perfect, but I saw the challenge in her eyes.

“Actually, I helped arrange this concert,” Sienna continued. “The cellist and I are old friends.”

I glanced at Orion. His expression didn’t change.

“Thank you,” I said politely.

“Don’t mention it.” Sienna’s smile widened. “After all, Orion and I… we go way back.”

The implication was clear. My stomach tightened.

“I’m just going to the restroom,” I said, needing an escape.

As I walked away, I heard Sienna’s voice behind me.

“I’ve heard all about you two. But really, once we’re married… do you think she’ll be okay with sharing?”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

Orion’s voice was casual, arrogant. “Her? She’s obsessed with me. She’d do anything to stay by my side.”

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I bit my lip so hard I could taste blood, my nails digging into my palms.

For five years, I thought I was his only one.

I gave up my education in Europe, gave up the debutante life my family planned for me, all to follow him into his world of blood and danger.

And now I knew the truth. I was just another piece in his collection.

My hands trembling, I pulled out my burner phone and dialed a number.

“It’s me.”

“Miss?” The voice on the other end was surprised.

“I need to be out of the country in ten days,” I said, my voice so cold it scared even me. “Get me to Switzerland. And make sure the Corvos never find me.”

“Understood.”

I hung up and took a deep, shaky breath.

My own countdown had begun.

This time, it would be a real rebirth.