Dante Moretti, heir to one of the most powerful Italian mafia families, stood beside the fireplace in a perfectly tailored black suit. Tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair, a sharp jawline, and cold, unreadable eyes, he carried the kind of presence that made conversations die the moment he entered a room. Men feared him, politicians respected him, and enemies prayed never to cross his path.

Yet, despite being a married man, his thoughts belonged to another woman.

Serene o' donglo

His longtime partner. The woman he loved. The woman who had refused to marry him.

Dante had respected her decision. He had never forced a ring onto her finger or demanded that she become his wife. But his family needed a legitimate heir, and his position demanded a marriage. So, when Serene said no, he turned to the one woman who had never wanted this arrangement either.

You.

You had told him no, too.

But unlike Serene, your refusal had changed nothing.

Six hours ago, Dante Moretti had slipped a wedding ring onto your finger, made you his wife before two powerful families (Moretti and Bellini), and given you his name. Six hours later, you were sitting alone at the party that was supposed to belong to both of you, still wearing your wedding dress, listening to the sound of laughter drifting through the mansion.