Chapter 3

"The place at the family training academy, the chance to spend two years learning our overseas operations, you gave all of it to Wilfred."

"There was even a time he nearly killed a man during a street fight, and you made me take the blame."

"When I finally joined the family, you kept me on a tight leash because you were so afraid of 'favoritism.' I had to account for every dollar I spent, while Wilfred could burn through thirty thousand in a single night."

I stared at my mother.

"Did I ever complain?"

"How much more obedient did you want me to be?"

For once, she had no answer.

I didn't wait for one.

I went upstairs, packed a few clothes into a bag, and headed for the door.

"What do you think you're doing? Leaving the family?"

She had found her voice again.

Still no apology.

Only anger.

I kept walking.

"Grace!"

Her voice followed me.

"All this because your father didn't name you his successor?"

"You ungrateful child! If you walk out that door tonight, don't ever come back!"

"I'll pretend I never had a daughter!"

I'd heard those words my entire life.

But she was still my mother.

For years, some foolish part of me had believed that if I worked hard enough, sacrificed enough, eventually my parents would see me.

That was why I'd never been able to leave before.

This time, I slammed the door behind me.

The winter wind cut through my coat.

Somehow, it still felt warmer than that house.

I didn't even have my own car.

Dad had always said it would look bad if the daughter of the Moretti boss drove something too extravagant. People might think he spoiled me.

Mom said Wilfred hadn't gotten his first car yet, and she didn't want him to feel inferior.

I had barely reached the gates when a black car pulled up beside me.

The window lowered.

Paul Farley.

Heir to one of the most powerful families on the East Coast.

I climbed in and frowned at him.

"What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at the usual place."

"The whole underworld already knows you walked out on the Morettis."

I froze.

Then I checked my phone.

The news had spread through every private channel used by the city's major families.

Moretti heiress cast aside. Wilfred Moretti named successor.

Grace Moretti publicly breaks with her family after succession dispute.

My parents had sent messages too.

Without the Moretti name, who do you think will respect you?

Stop being selfish. Come home, apologize to your father and Wilfred, and we'll forget this happened.

Keep acting like this and you'll end up alone. When trouble comes, no family will protect you.

I didn't reply.

I just smiled.

Without the Moretti name, I was nobody?

We'd see about that.

Paul took me to a discreet lounge frequented by people from the city's old families.

The moment I walked inside, I saw a familiar face.

My steps stopped.

Louis Sullivan.

My childhood sweetheart.

My ex-boyfriend.

He was sitting close to Wilfred, one arm wrapped around his waist. Wilfred leaned against him with a soft smile, looking far too comfortable for this to be new.

My mind went blank.

"There's your answer."

Paul's voice came quietly beside me.

"You really can be blind sometimes. They've been together since they were overseas."

"What?"

For a moment, I couldn't process the words.

Then I felt like the biggest fool alive.

Years ago, my parents had actually suggested that I step aside and let Wilfred have Louis.

Their excuse had been ridiculous.

They claimed that if Louis married the boss's daughter, the other families might accuse my father of forcing the Sullivan family into an alliance.

I refused.

Dad had me beaten with a cane until I could barely stand.

I still refused.

Not long after that, Louis was sent overseas.

We spent four years apart.

During those four years, I paid for his apartment, his expenses, and everything he needed while he established himself within the Sullivan family's overseas territory.

Then he came home.

And ended things with me.

His eyes had been red when he said it.

"Grace, your family puts too much pressure on me. Your parents will never accept us."

"So let's end it here."

"I don't want to hold you back."