A long time passed.
I felt the person behind me pull away while I was half-asleep.
I was right.
The light in his study was on.
"We should stop contacting each other for a while. I do not want you ruining this for me."
"This smuggling route is crucial for the syndicate. We will celebrate properly once the dust settles on this project."
"Do not worry about Siena. I already handled her. She agreed to help. The Moretti family will step in."
"Alright. I miss you too. Be a good girl and go to sleep."
"Relax. I will marry you. I will take care of both of you."
I stood by the door and listened to their entire conversation.
Franco believed his plans were absolutely flawless.
My blind trust over the years had given him far too much confidence.
Franco was already gone the next morning.
I was a person who always kept my word.
I had to take action now that I decided to leave.
I went back to the Moretti family estate.
"Father, mother, I am home."
My parents had a terrible falling out with me because I insisted on Franco.
They still could not help but feel heartbroken seeing their only daughter.
I had lost so much weight since they last saw me a few months ago.
My mother held my hands and looked at me from every angle.
"Siena, is Franco treating you badly. I told you back then..."
My father sighed and stopped her when he saw my expression.
"Enough. Stop talking. You know how Siena is..."
My emotions finally broke under their care.
I started crying again.
"Mom, Dad, I am so sorry. I was too stubborn. I disappointed you both."
"Siena, your business with Franco is your own decision. We will support whatever choice you make."
My parents were always the ones who loved me the most.
"Thank you. I came today to say... Franco and I... I think we are over."
My father stood up furiously before I even finished my sentence.
"What. Did that street rat bully you. Did he cheat on you."
"Wait right here. I am calling my men right now."
My father reached for his phone to summon the family enforcers.
"Dad, do not rush. I will handle this myself. I just came to discuss something and I need your cooperation."
I grabbed his arm.
I stayed at my parents' estate that night.
I did not go back.
Franco would have scoured the city looking for me if I stayed out all night in the past.
He would never let me sleep somewhere else.
I doubted he even went home now.
Three days later.
I returned to the penthouse.
It looked exactly like it did when I left.
Franco had not been home for three days.
He had not called or sent a single message.
I looked at the decorations in the room.
I picked and matched everything by hand when I was dreaming of our future.
I even painted the canvas hanging on the wall stroke by stroke.
Men only behaved when they were framed and hung on the wall.
A short while later, I heard an engine pull into the private courtyard.
I stood on the second floor.
I thought Franco finally remembered he had a home.
I watched the courtyard from the window.
I never expected Luna to step out of the passenger side.
Franco got out of the driver's seat.
He opened the door for her himself.
He supported her carefully as she stepped down.
My eyes grew wet.
The two of them walked through the foyer laughing and talking.
Franco pulled a brand new pair of women's slippers from the cabinet for her.
"Sit down and rest. I will cook for you."
"Okay. Thank you, husband."
Luna wrapped her arms around Franco and kissed him.
Husband.
Right.
I was just a woman who accompanied Franco for seven years.
We were not legally married.
What right did I have to interfere.
What right did I even possess.
I slowly walked down from the second floor.
I saw Luna lying on the chaise lounge.
Her stomach was slightly swollen.
She was covered in the jacket Franco had just taken off.
"Baby, what do you want to eat..."
Franco poked his head out of the kitchen wearing an apron.
He met my eyes right as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
His eyes darted everywhere.
He looked utterly panicked.
He froze.
I saw it then—the sheer terror in his eyes wasn't just guilt.
He always thought he had the upper hand, that he was using me.
But deep down, in the twisted, insecure core of his soul, he knew the truth.
I was his only light in this filthy underworld.
He just never believed he truly deserved it.
Now, the light was walking out the door.
"Siena..." his voice trembled, the arrogant Underboss completely gone. "Don't..."
