Five Years His Secret, Now Someone Else’s Bride

My hand, suspended in mid-air, fell back to my side. I rubbed my fingers together, not knowing what to say.

Orion seemed to realize he’d been harsh. He gave me a soft smile. “You like it? I’ll get you something better. This one’s for something else.”

I forced a polite smile.

Something else. He walked out with the diamond of my dreams, not even looking back.

The click of the closing door was deafening in the silence. My smile vanished.

He was going to give the diamond I’d always wanted to another woman. In the middle of the night.

Did he think I was too stupid to care? Or did he just not care if my heart broke?

Standing in the empty apartment, I remembered his last words in my past life:

“I love you… I’ve always loved you…”

So this is what love was worth.

This is how foolish I could be.

I walked to the safe hidden in the bedroom.

I took out every piece of jewelry, every work of art Orion had given me over the last five years. I photographed them all and sent them to the biggest black market auction house in Europe.

The tagline: “The collection of Don Corvo’s ex-lover. Highest bidder wins.”

Pearls, sapphires, antique scrolls—a mess of priceless things.

I called the auction house director on an encrypted line. “I’m selling everything Orion ever gave me. You in?”

He was shocked. “Everything? This is all top-tier stuff. Did you two have a falling out? He’s not gonna be happy about you selling his gifts.”

My eyes went dark. “He won’t even notice.”

He was too busy with Sienna to notice me.

Orion didn't come home that night.

The next day, the auction preview went live and sent a shockwave through the underworld. Orion stormed back, his face a thundercloud.

Looking at his dark expression, I just smiled, showing no guilt. “They’re out of style. I don’t like them anymore.”

I even walked up to him, took his jacket like I always did, and kissed his cheek. “You’ve been up all night. Want some calming soup? I’ll make it for you.”

My gentle concern seemed to soothe him. His expression softened.

“Leo is coming to Chicago later. He said he has a surprise for you. I’ll take you to see him.”

Leo. My brother. The youngest district attorney in New York history, but ruthless enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Orion.

He pulled a pink diamond necklace from his pocket, moved my hair aside, and fastened it around my neck.

“You’re a De Luca princess. If your brother sees you without any decent jewelry, he’ll think I’m mistreating you.”

But all I could think about was the diamond from last night. I had to laugh at myself.

Wasn’t he mistreating me?

Twenty minutes later, we were at one of Orion’s restaurants.

Leo was already in a private room. When he saw me, a flicker of worry crossed his face.

“Eva, you look thin. Mom and Dad have been worried. We supported you coming to Chicago, but isn’t it time you came home and settled down? They’ve already picked out some marriage candidates…”

At the word “marriage,” Orion, who had been lazily smoking a cigar, suddenly stiffened and stubbed it out.

He swirled his wine. Under the table, his foot found my calf, tracing lazy circles. A clear, possessive claim.

But his words were casual. He feigned curiosity. “Eva, I’ve taken care of you for five years, and I still don’t know what kind of man you like. Tell me.”

I’d always been the good, obedient girl.

It was only after being reborn that I dared to defy my family, follow Orion, and have a secret five-year affair with him.

Before, a question like this in front of my brother would have made me blush and stammer.

But this time, I subtly knocked his foot away under the table and answered calmly, “I like a gentleman. Someone kind, loyal… someone outside of this world of blood and conflict.”

In other words, the exact opposite of Orion.

“You two chat. I’m going to the restroom.”

The smile vanished from Orion’s face. His eyes went dark.

I caught his expression out of the corner of my eye but didn’t care.

Eight days left. I’d be gone soon enough.

But as I stepped out of the women’s restroom, a hand shot out, grabbed my waist, and dragged me into the empty men’s room next door.

Click. The stall door locked.

A large hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my gasp.

In the cramped, dim space, his sharp gaze burned right through me.

I struggled, frowning.

How could he drag me in here? What if my brother…

Seeing my anger, a dangerous smile played on his lips. He leaned in, his voice a low growl. “Gentle? Loyal?” he growled, his voice a low threat. “Since when do you like weak men?”

Before I could answer, his tall frame pressed against me. He grabbed my chin and crashed his lips onto mine.

I raised my hands to push him away, but then I heard Leo’s voice from outside—

“Orion, do you think my sister is seeing someone? You better keep a close eye on her. And keep your filthy men away from her.”