The church doors closed behind me, sealing my fate with a whisper of silk and regret. My hands trembled around the bouquet—not from joy, but surrender. Elena had taken everything: my fiancé, my future, even my mother’s blessing. And in return, I got him: Dante Vantari, the so-called 'ruined' heir they said would drag our name into oblivion.

Our wedding night wasn’t passion—it was silence. A mansion colder than stone, guards posted like statues, and a man who watched me like I was either a threat or a puzzle.

Then the call came. "The old don is dead," his lieutenant said. "They’re moving tonight."

Dante turned to me, voice low. "You can walk out that door now. No one will blame you."

But something in his eyes dared me to stay.

I had two choices: run back to a sister who’d sold me—or step into the darkness and claim the power no one saw coming.