Chapter 2

Four years ago, Dominic and I held a quiet, private wedding.

By then, we had already been together for three years.

We weren't just a loving couple—we were each other's anchor.

In the world of the Mafia, love is a fragile thing. What Dominic and I shared went deeper: a steadfast alliance, a bond of absolute trust.

That day, I believed I would be the happiest bride in the world.

It was a small ceremony, open only to close friends and family.

Everything proceeded without a hitch—until the moment Dominic was sliding the ring onto my finger, and Selena burst through the doors.

She swept in wearing a gown more dazzling than my wedding dress, phone and gimbal raised, lens fixed on my stunned face. "Hey, babes! I'm here at my best friend's wedding today!"

She was turning our wedding into content for her livestream.

I stepped forward and blocked the lens with my hand, frowning. "Selena, you didn't ask my permission—"

Selena blinked, her voice dripping with wounded innocence. "Victoria, I just wanted to document this. I thought I'd get lots of footage for you two—something to look back on."

Something to look back on?

"I've already hired a professional film crew. Turn off the livestream. Now." I didn't budge.

When she kept filming me anyway, I reached for her equipment. She jerked backward. "Don't... do you hate me? I really didn't mean any harm."

I shot a look at Dominic, certain he would have her escorted out immediately.

But he only smiled and walked over. "Come on, Victoria. She didn't mean anything by it."

I stared at him in disbelief. "This is disrupting my wedding!"

He lowered his voice to a murmur. "Have you forgotten? Life hasn't been easy for her. Cut her some slack."

Right. Selena's life hadn't been easy.

An orphan. Poverty. Working five jobs through college just to put herself through school.

Dominic had told me about her tragic past countless times, praising her innocence and resilience just as often.

How could I possibly forget?

But I simply could not be friends with Selena. She always carried a subtle hostility toward me—barely perceptible, but unmistakable.

Behind the camera, I caught the smug smile that crossed her face the moment she heard Dominic's words.

"Thanks for sticking up for me, Dominic."

Dominic nodded at her, then took my hand again and led me back to the altar.

Under the gaze of Selena's lens, Dominic slid the ring onto my finger.

The ceremony went on.

But I couldn't feel happy anymore.

Back then, I had no idea how many times scenes like this would repeat themselves.

The distance between Dominic and me only grew.

The memories pricked like a thin needle, leaving my chest aching and sour.

I walked toward the study with my phone in hand. Dominic was at his desk as usual, dealing with work.

He flipped through documents without looking up when I entered. "Something you need?"

"You were gone for three days on 'business'—turns out you were celebrating Selena's birthday? Why lie about it?" I asked point-blank.

Trust matters between lovers. It matters even more between allies.

No matter which way I looked at it, I could not ignore Dominic's deception.

"Victoria..." He rubbed his temples, exhaustion written across his face. "I was just worried you'd overthink it. Selena doesn't have family. She barely has any friends. I couldn't say no when she invited me."

But is she really friendless except for you?

I wanted to ask, but I couldn't be bothered anymore.

Because I already knew what his answer would be.

Dominic would say: It's different. I'm her best friend.

I had heard that excuse countless times.

"Why lie to me?" I demanded. "You know trust is the most important thing between us!"

His brow furrowed. "Victoria, this isn't that serious. Don't make things ugly."

He rose. "I'm tired. I don't want to fight."

Before he finished speaking, his phone buzzed.

Caller: Selena.

He answered it right in front of me. "What's wrong?"

Worry flooded his face instantly. "A fever? I'm on my way. Don't cry. I'm here."

He grabbed his jacket and walked straight past me. "Alright, I've already left. I'll be at your door in fifteen minutes. What do you want to eat? I'll pick something up on the way."

I stood there, invisible.

In that moment, I finally admitted the truth: what Dominic and I had was already rotten to the core.