MY EX-HUSBAND GRABBED MY WRIST AT THE MAFIA BOSS’S DINNER AND CALLED ME A JEALOUS MAID—BUT WHEN LUCA SAW THE RING ON HIS NEW FIANCÉE’S FINGER, HE MADE EVERYONE STOP EATING.
Chapter 2 – The Deed To My Mother’s House
“What,” Luca asked, his voice dangerously quiet, “have you done with her house?”
Blake’s confidence shattered. I saw the exact moment it happened. His shoul…
I GRABBED THE MAFIA BOSS’S ARM AT HIS SISTER’S WEDDING AND WHISPERED, “PLEASE DON’T LET THE GROOM TAKE MY DAUGHTER”—BECAUSE MY 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS SIGNING “HELP ME” ACROSS THE ROOM, AND THE GROOM WAS MY HUSBAND.
Chapter 2 – THE DEED TO THE LAKE HOUSE
“What house?” Luca’s voice was deathly quiet.
Isabella looked at me, her eyes wide with a horrifying realization.
“The house in Lake Forest,” she whispered. “…
“SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU IGNORANT LITTLE MAIDs! YOU DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND ITALIAN!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 25-YEAR-OLD HOUSEMAID IN FRONT OF FIFTY DINNER GUESTS—BUT WHEN THE MAID REFUSED TO REPEAT WHAT VANESSA HAD TOLD A WEALTHY ITALIAN INVESTIGATOR, LUCA MORETTI PUT DOWN HIS GLASS AND ASKED WHY SOMEONE WAS BEING PAID TO DESTROY HIS BROTHER’S MARRIAGE.
Chapter 2 – THE COAT CHECK TICKET
Luca stood completely still. The silence in the dining room was so absolute I could hear the grandfather clock ticking in the hallway.
Fifty guests held their breat…
“SHE CAN’T HEAR YOU, SO STOP PRETENDING HER FEELINGS MATTER!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE SAID IN FRONT OF THIRTY DINNER GUESTS—THEN ORDERED ME TO TAKE MY 16-YEAR-OLD DEAF SISTER OUT OF THE ROOM. BUT WHEN MY SISTER LOOKED AT ME AND SIGNED, “DID YOU REALLY SAY YOU WERE ASHAMED OF ME?” LUCA MORETTI STOOD UP.
Chapter 2 – THE BRACELET SHE THOUGHT WAS LOST
Vanessa’s perfect, practiced smile completely collapsed.
The heavy silence in the dining room was suddenly deafening. Thirty of the city’s most influent…
MY EX-HUSBAND PULLED MY CHAIR AWAY AT THE MAFIA BOSS’S DINNER AND TOLD EVERYONE I WAS “MENTALLY UNSTABLE”—BUT WHEN LUCA MORETTI ASKED HIS MOTHER ONE QUESTION, MY EX STOPPED SMILING.
Chapter 2 – THE PAWN TICKET IN HIS POCKET
“Daniel, how much money have you collected by telling your own mother that Claire has cancer?”
The silence in the dining room was so absolute I could hear t…
“SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU IGNORANT LITTLE MAIDsa! YOU DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND ITALIAN!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 25-YEAR-OLD HOUSEMAID IN FRONT OF FIFTY DINNER GUESTS—BUT WHEN THE MAID REFUSED TO REPEAT WHAT VANESSA HAD SECRETLY TOLD A WEALTHY ITALIAN SECURITY EXPERT, LUCA MORETTI PUT DOWN HIS GLASS AND ASKED WHY THE MAN WHO HAD PROTECTED HIS FAMILY FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS WAS BEING CALLED A TRAITOR.
Chapter 2 – THE KEYS TO THE PAST
Luca’s eyes locked onto Vanessa’s pale face.
The silence in the dining room was so heavy I could hear the rain lashing against the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Fifty w…
“TAKE OFF THAT OLD SWEATER. YOUR MOTHER ISN’T COMING BACK.” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE SAID IT TO HIS EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN FRONT OF TWENTY-EIGHT DINNER GUESTS—THEN TOLD HIM, “SHE’S JUST THROWING A TANTRUM,” BEFORE HE SAW WHAT HIS LITTLE GIRL WAS TRYING TO HIDE.
Chapter 2 – THE ENGAGEMENT RING ON THE TABLE
The silence in the dining room was absolute.
Twenty-eight guests held their breath.
No one touched their champagne. No one looked away.
Emma’s question…
“SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU IGNORANT LITTLE MAID! YOU DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND ITALIAN!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 25-YEAR-OLD HOUSEMAID IN FRONT OF FIFTY DINNER GUESTS—BUT WHEN A WEALTHY ITALIAN BUSINESSMAN ASKED WHY VANESSA WAS HIDING A NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL FROM HER FUTURE HUSBAND, THE MAID UNDERSTOOD EVERY WORDss.
Chapter 2 – A Father’s Heartbreak and A Mother’s Cruelty
The entire dining room froze.
Nobody breathed.
Nobody moved.
Only the sound of Ivy’s small, terrified voice lingered in the heavy air.
“Da…
MY SON STOOD UP AT A MAFIA BOSS’S PRIVATE DINNER AND TOLD THIRTY GUESTS HIS MOTHER HAD DIED YEARS AGO—WHILE I STOOD BEHIND HIM HOLDING THE PECAN PIE I’D BAKED FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. THEN HE TURNED TO SECURITY AND SAID, “GET THAT WOMAN OUT.”
Chapter 2 – The Secret Frank Took to the Grave
“Don’t say another word, Linda,” Ethan hissed, his voice trembling. He took a step toward my best friend, his hands clenched into fists. “You swore to m…
“GET UP, TERESA. YOU’RE RUINING MY EXPENSIVE CHAIRS!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE ORDERED HIS 78-YEAR-OLD MOTHER TO STAND IN FRONT OF TWENTY-EIGHT DINNER GUESTS—BUT WHEN I WRAPPED MY SHAWL AROUND THE OLD WOMAN’S WAIST, LUCA LOOKED AT HER FULL GLASS OF WATER AND ASKED, “WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO MY MOTHER?”
Chapter 2 – THE ENGAGEMENT RING AND THE BRACELET
The crystal chandeliers above the dining table suddenly seemed too bright.
Twenty-eight wealthy, powerful guests sat frozen in their seats.
Nobody t…