The Third Canceled Ceremony

"Was there something… special about that design contract I signed yesterday?"

I looked up, a flicker of sorrow crossing my eyes before they settled into a dead calm.

"You didn't care when you were signing. Why ask now?" I shot back.

"It just crossed my mind. Besides, you're my wife. You'd never hurt me," Julian answered, his confidence absolute.

It was a passing thought, nothing more.

I lowered my gaze, hiding the sting of his words.

"Aren't you afraid I'll sign your entire empire over to myself?"

His jaw tightened.

He frowned, a flash of alarm and displeasure in his eyes.

"Are you kidding?"

He closed the distance between us, his hands gently cupping my face. His voice was a low, commanding caress. "You know I'd go insane if you ever left me."

"If it came down to it, I'd give you the whole damn empire myself."

Julian stared at me, his gaze burning with raw possessiveness.

I knew that possessiveness was real. So were his feelings, in their own twisted way.

And that was why my "joke" was anything but.

The document I'd had him sign was the death warrant for his empire.

A five-year courtship, a three-year marriage.

It was finally over.

…

That afternoon, I returned to the penthouse we had designed together and went straight to the walk-in closet. I began quietly packing my things.

His Consigliere, Marco, walked in, a confused look on his face.

"Are you sure about this, Seraphina?"

"You've been with the Don longer than anyone. We all used to say that even if the Thorne family crumbled, you'd be the last one standing."

"Why… so suddenly?"

Marco trailed off. I lowered my gaze.

Until yesterday, I would have agreed with him.

This vast business empire was the legitimate front Julian and I had built from nothing.

We had worked side-by-side, fought for every inch.

When our first casino hotel was finished, Julian used the first "clean" money we'd ever earned to book the entire top-floor restaurant just for me.

That night, we sat at the highest point in Chicago, looking down at the sea of lights.

Julian held me close and said I was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

A wistful smile touched my lips.

"Everyone has their reasons. I've made my decision."

Marco looked at me, his eyes full of regret.