CHAPTER 4

I blinked, utterly flabbergasted. "What—"

"I’ve been wondering how long it would take for you to leave that bloody bastard." Dante’s eyes searched my face before settling on mine.

I was left utterly speechless, the alcohol doing nothing to help my case. I couldn’t comprehend what I was hearing.

Was he really talking about his nephew that way?

"Wait," I said, my voice cracking slightly. "You can’t mean that. Luca is your nephew."

Dante’s lips twitched into a deadly smile. "Family isn’t always what you think, Vivian. You, of all people, should know that by now."

Luca’s voice rang through the party, sharp and furious. "Vivian!"

I froze, every muscle in my body tensing. Dante’s grip tightened on my wrist, pulling me into an empty corner before Luca could see us.

“There’s a reason I never came to your house," Dante whispered in my ear, his voice dangerous. "I watched you build Luca from the ground up, make him into something powerful. And what did he do? He treated you like a servant. Like you were nothing. I couldn’t stand to see it."

I turned to face him, my mind spinning. "What are you talking about?"

Dante’s eyes darkened. "Luca and his family—they’re all waiting for you to crawl back. They’ve even set a countdown in the group chat. They're betting on how long it’ll take before you come to your senses and beg to be let back in."

His words hit me like a slap. My pulse pounded in my ears, my blood boiling. "They—what?"

Dante nodded, his gaze unwavering. “They think you’re weak, Vivian. That you’ll fall apart without them. They’re laughing at you.”

I couldn’t breathe. Anger roared to life inside me, hot and all-consuming. "I want to ruin him," I said, my voice trembling. "I want to ruin all of them. Tear everything they have apart."

The words flew out before I could stop them, raw and furious. Then the reality of my situation crashed over me. I had nothing. No money. No plan. And now I’d just spilled my darkest thoughts to Luca’s uncle.

I caught myself, breathing hard. "I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have said that." I stepped back, ready to leave, but Dante grabbed my arm again, his grip firm but not painful.

"Don’t apologize," he said, his voice low and intent. "You want to destroy them? You need an ally. A partner. You can’t do this alone."

I stared at him like he had grown a second head. "I can’t trust you. I don't know what you want." He was a Morreti too.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. "You’re right. This will come at a cost."

My breath caught in my throat as he continued.

“Marry me.”

---

I was escorted through the company building to where the meeting would take place. The door was opened, and I stepped in. I took off my sunglasses and took in the room.

The lawyers were there, so were the shareholders, and of course, Luca and his family.

Their expressions were hostile as I took a seat.

"So, you finally deemed it time to arrive?" Clarissa sneered.

I didn’t spare her a glance before turning to Luca. "Shall we start, or what?"

Luca smirked, self-assured. He turned to one of the lawyers, who stepped forward and slid a stack of documents across the table.

“As of last year, Vivian,” Luca began, his tone dripping with smugness, “your shares in the company have become null and void. You no longer hold any official stake. A legal oversight on your part, I assume.”

“Oh, really?" I asked, disinterested.

Clarissa leaned back, folding her arms with a satisfied grin. “Poor little thing, thinking she could play with the big boys. You never bothered to protect your interests, and now look where it’s gotten you.”

Luca’s lawyer interjected, “Without your shares and a proper claim to the company, the alimony you’ll receive in a divorce will be… minimal. If this goes to court, the prenup will leave you with next to nothing.”

“And the house?” I asked.

“Luca’s property,” the lawyer replied curtly. “Everything of value, Vivian, belongs to him. Money, assets, influence—all gone.”

Luca leaned forward, eyes gleaming with triumph. “You’re alone, Vivian. No money, no power, no family. Unless…” He stood and walked around the table, stopping right in front of me. “You come to your senses.”

He towered over me with a demonic smile. “Beg for forgiveness, kneel, and I’ll take you back. It’s your last chance. One simple act of humility, and I’ll let you return.”

His family snickered, their eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Well, Vivian?” Luca asked, the room falling silent, waiting for my response.

"Well, what?" I asked. "Why would I need the charity I gave back?"

Luca's eyes widened, his amusement wiped clean. "How dare you—"

"Is it not true?" I asked. "Remember how we met. I was buying coffee, and you were the cashier. I turned you into the man you are today. It was philanthropy; it was me doing charity."

"My son could have made it without you!" Clarissa got up.

I turned to her. "My father always did say that poor people were delusional."

"Remember who you are talking to," James snarled.

I looked him up and down. "Who are you exactly?"

They were speechless.

"I knew you would pull this stunt. So, let's say I secured connections elsewhere."

"What the hell does that mean?" Luca asked, growing even more agitated.

"You’ll know soon enough. He should be here soon." And as if on cue, the door of the office opened, and in stepped Dante Moretti.

"Uncle..." Luca muttered before laughing. "You think my uncle will help you?"

I watched Luca's smile drop when Dante put his arm around my waist.

"What—"

"Why would I not help my fiancée?" Dante asked, and every jaw dropped. Luca turned white as a ghost.