Chapter 1
My father's death flashed in my mind, the half-open eyes, the coroner's quiet, helpless sigh, and a sharp pain shot through my temples.
"Too late when he arrived. If he had been brought in sooner, he might've still made it."
My husband, Sergio Pagano, beside me acted as if he hadn't heard a word. He idly combed his fingers through my hair, then rose to take a call from Louisa Pagano, his stepsister.
"Relax. She's not mad at you. You were right to route our meetings through you. As head of the Pagano family, I can't always be at her side."
From the other end came Louisa's choked, tearful voice, "Sergio, I think Marella may have something against me.
"I only believe that, as the future lady of the Pagano family, she should learn early that a husband and wife can't be glued together all the time.
"But if she really has something urgent and must see you, I wouldn't actually stop it. I'm just worried that bending the rules like this could hurt your reputation if it gets out."
A sneer curled at my lips. I was about to speak when Sergio looked at me, faint reproach in his eyes.
"You heard her, Marella, didn't you? Louisa's already thinking of us. What else do you want?"
His voice sharpened with impatience, "If I were you, I would do as Louisa says and learn how to be a proper Pagano, instead of making scenes everywhere, and even taking someone hostage just to see me."
When I heard him lecture me like that, something inside me had already gone completely numb. As his wife, the one woman closest to him, I still had to request an appointment just to see him, through Louisa, an outsider.
And almost every time, Louisa had found some excuse to shut down my meetings with Sergio. Even on our wedding day, I had gone through every ritual alone, as if I were marrying myself.
Her reason was simple. She believed Sergio's appointment that day mattered more than my wedding to him.
My fingers dug into my palm as I raised my head and met Sergio's gaze without emotion. "If I'm not good enough for you, then let's just get divorced."
The room went completely still.
Sergio finally ended his call with Louisa and turned his full attention to me. I saw him frown. Annoyance flickered across his face before vanishing just as quickly.
Then, in one swift motion, Sergio caught my wrist. "Why? Just because I played Russian roulette with you?"
He lifted the revolver with one hand and flipped open the cylinder to show me. "There weren't even any bullets inside, darling. You really think I would ever gamble with your life?"
"You know exactly what I mean, Sergio. It's not just that." I broke free from his grip and took a step back. "I want a divorce. Seriously."
Sergio went quiet. He looked at me like I was a spoiled child throwing a fit.
After a beat, he let out a tired sigh, "We hardly see each other as it is, Marella. Don't blow this up into something bigger than it is. I know you're still mad about yesterday, but Louisa was right. You can't just break the rules and expect to see me whenever you feel like it."
He had just finished when someone knocked on the bridal suite door. Louisa stood outside, her expression as strict as ever. "Sergio, it's time. You have to go."
Sergio checked his phone. "I've still got a meeting tonight. I need to head out. Sleep without me. Be good, Marella. If anything comes up, talk to Louisa first. I'll come see you after my meeting."
And just like that, he left in a rush as always, not even bothering to look back.
Only Louisa stayed behind, giving me a sharp, almost taunting smile, "Sergio's right, Marella. If you've got any issues, you can always come to me."
