Chapter 1

My husband has been dead for three years, and tonight my boyfriend introduces him as his older brother.

Ten minutes earlier, I haven't seen him yet.

I'm too busy trying not to slap Tessa Reed across the face.

Nico calls her his lifesaver.

Every time she crosses a line, he asks me to let it go.

"She's been through a lot, babe. Just let her have this one."

She's taken my clothes, stolen my things, and once even talked Nico into leaving me stranded on a dark road miles from the city.

I've let all of it slide.

Then tonight, at the Vittori family's private gala, she takes the ring I've kept for years.

The second I reach for her, Nico catches my wrist.

"Not now, Talia. Come meet someone."

He pulls me across the ballroom and stops in front of a tall man in a black suit.

"This is my older brother, Adrian Vittori. He's also the head of the Vittori family."

The man turns, and my blood goes cold.

What the hell?

That's my husband, the one who's been dead for three years.

"Adrian, this is Talia, the girl I told you about."

"We met six months ago. She's my girlfriend."

Nico slips an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer.

I go still, staring at the man in front of me.

I know that dark hair, that sharp jaw, the face I used to wake up next to every morning.

Adrian's eyes meet mine. For one second, neither of us moves.

His mouth tightens, then his face goes blank.

Nico looks down at me.

"Babe, you okay? Why aren't you saying anything?"

That snaps me out of it.

"Sorry. Hi, Ad... Adrian."

I look down before he can read my face.

He steps closer.

"Nice to meet you. Nico's... girlfriend."

His voice is colder than I remember, and his eyes flick to Nico's arm around me.

Adrian holds out his hand.

That's when I see the ring on his finger.

I force myself to take his hand, but I let go almost immediately.

"Nico!" Tessa comes hurrying over with a sweet little smile.

"Nico, come stay with me. There are way too many people here. You know I hate crowds."

"Coming." Of course he is.

Nico turns to her without hesitation, and for once, I don't want him to go.

Just this once.

But he doesn't give me a chance to speak.

"Adrian, keep Talia company for a minute. I'll be right back."

He walks away with Tessa clinging to his arm.

Before she leaves, she shoots me a smug look and casually swings my ring between two fingers.

Any other night, that would be enough to make me lose it.

Right now, I barely care.

The second they're gone, I face Adrian.

"You... how are you here?"

Adrian lets out a humorless laugh.

"What does that have to do with you?"

He never used to talk to me like this, let alone look at me with so much hate.

"About what happened back then..."

"You've got some nerve bringing up the past."

He steps closer, his voice low.

"You dumped me the second you thought I had nothing."

"You never gave a damn about me. All you cared about was money."

"I should've left you where I found you."

My nails dig into my palm, but I keep my voice steady.

"So three years ago... you left me on purpose, didn't you?"