His Ninety Ninth Betrayal

Leo ignored me, not a hint of panic on his face at being discovered.

He fed a peeled grape into Rosalie's mouth before finally speaking.

"Elena, this is just a small punishment for hurting Rosalie."

A small punishment? If I hadn't known how to fight, they would have had their way with me today.

Seeing my anger, Rosalie's eyes curved into a smile. "Elena, I didn't realize you had a few moves. It seems the rumors out there are true."

Rumors had always swirled through the Chicago underworld that I was a hired street fighter.

"With a background like yours, like a street thug, you're too intimidating. The Moretti family won't like you."

Rosalie blinked, her innocent expression a mask of pure hypocrisy.

I slapped her across the face.

"As his adoptive sister, you're clinging to him every day. Don't you think that's inappropriate? Or have you fallen in love with him?"

Of course. A schoolgirl crush is the easiest thing in the world to spot.

Rosalie clutched her face, looking utterly wronged. "Elena, you've gone too far! How could you accuse me of something so vile!"

"Papa and Mamma are busy. I finally came home from boarding school in Europe, and I just want to make up for the lost time with Leo. Are you saying there's no room in Leo's life for his family, only for a girlfriend? You're so possessive!"

Leo yanked me away. "Elena, what is wrong with you? Do you think dating me for ten years means you have me on a leash?"

"Rosalie, don't listen to her. She's not part of the Moretti family yet. An outsider has no right to discipline you."

His words were like ice water poured into my veins.

Ten years. I gave up everything for him, trading my old life to become a devoted partner, trying every way I could to please him.

Even for the Moretti patriarch and matriarch whom I'd never met, I was always vigilant, secretly using my connections to help whenever I could.

But now, he was calling me an outsider.

Unlike the ninety-eight times before, I didn't argue. I just returned to my room in silence.

Maybe Dante was right. This kind of man really wasn't worthy of me.

I would consider the last ten years of my life utterly wasted.