Chapter 3

I clench my fists so hard my knuckles crack.

These two people. One — my fiancé of six years. The man who once ran into a burning warehouse to save me without a thought for himself.

The other — the girl I pulled from a shipping container. The one I gave my protection. My trust. My name.

And now they're tangled together in his bed.

Double betrayal. How am I supposed to bear this?

Something snaps. I grab my bag and lunge at them.

Before it touches Silvia, Luca kicks me away.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?"

The force sends me flying. My forehead cracks against the sharp corner of the nightstand. Blood pours — warm, thick, running down half my face.

Luca doesn't look at me.

He wraps the sheets around Silvia, pulls her into his arms. Then turns on me, snarling.

"Elena. You walk into my quarters without permission? You think you still have the right to act like this in my house?"

No guilt. Just fury.

My heart goes dead. I scream.

"You're in bed with her and you're talking to me about RIGHTS?!"

He lifts his head. Sees the blood. Something flickers.

"Your head—"

Silvia drops to her knees in front of me. Eyes red. Voice trembling. Perfect.

"Elena, I'm sorry. Don't blame Luca, okay? It's all my fault. I couldn't help myself."

"I'm not here to ruin things between you two. I don't need a title. I just want to stay by his side."

She's crying like I'm the villain. Every word soft. Every word a knife.

I swing my hand at her face.

My palm lands on Luca instead. He's stepped in front of her. The handprint blooms red. His expression goes lethal.

"Are you done?"

"Why are you going after her?"

"You want to know why I haven't touched you?"

"Silvia is cleaner than you'll ever be."

"You make my skin crawl."

Everything goes silent.

I stare at him. I forget how to cry.

So that's it. That's why. Every flinch. Every time he washes his hands after touching me.

I look at his face and don't recognize him. This isn't the man who used to shield me from everything.

Now he stands on the other side. Arms around another woman.

My legs give out. I collapse to the floor. And I laugh — the kind that comes with tears.

Luca frowns. Reaches toward me. Reflex.

Silvia's voice. Soft. Silk.

"Luca... my stomach hurts."

He scoops her up without a backward glance and walks out.

I watch them disappear. Through the blur of tears, my heart goes quiet.

Not broken. Not aching.

Dead.