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.
