In his arms was a bouquet of roses—blood red, twice the size of the lilies he'd offered me.
Massima Gallo walked through the entrance, her designer heels clicking against the marble like a victory march. He moved toward her immediately, drawn like iron to a magnet.
They embraced.
He stroked her hair, tender and familiar, the gesture of a man reuniting with something precious. Something chosen.
"Mr. Volpe, for your new property acquisition, please follow me this way."
The attendant's voice carried across the lobby, professional and accommodating.
"You mentioned wanting an estate? Now that the brownstone has been transferred out of your name, you meet the purchase requirements again."
A pause. Then, with poisoned sweetness: "Mrs. Volpe, do watch your step."
Massima rested her head against his shoulder, her smile visible even from where I stood frozen.
The two of them walked into the private consultation room together, faces glowing with the warmth he had never once shown me.
It was the middle of July. The summer heat pressed against the windows like a living thing.
But I had never felt so cold.
Cold enough that my legs refused to hold me.
Cold enough that sweat beaded on my back and forehead despite the chill spreading through my veins.
So that was it.
The one being discarded—the one who had always been disposable—had been me all along.
"Signora Volpe, your husband, Don Nico Volpe, has not responded to any summons regarding this dissolution. We reached his line—the connection held, but there was only silence. Per the protocols of this court, his silence will be recorded as default consent to the breaking of your blood-bound union."
"Therefore, your petition has been processed. You have thirty days from the date of filing to withdraw your claim. Should you choose not to withdraw, the marriage will be dissolved, and the blood oath severed."
The court clerk's voice was flat, devoid of inflection—a man who had witnessed too many broken bonds to feel anything anymore. Perhaps among the countless cases that crossed his desk, this was merely the simplest. A woman walking away from one of the most powerful Families on the Eastern Seaboard. Just another file.
I drew a slow breath. My hands trembled against the phone, but I forced my voice steady.
"Understood."
I ended the call and hailed a car back to the property.