I froze.
"You took the money," he said slowly, dangerously calm. "That slap isn't settled yet. Apologize to her."
My body stiffened. I turned back, my eyes burning. "What did you say?"
"I said, apologize," he repeated, his gaze cold. "Don't make me say it twice."
"What if I don't?" My voice shook, but I still asked.
His expression didn't change. "Then maybe the arrangement between your family and mine… needs to be reconsidered. You understand what I mean, right?"
My heart dropped. So this was it. He was using the Carusos now. Everything my father had built, every territory, every protection agreement. Domenico could crush it with one word to the Commission.
The room went silent.
For a few seconds, I couldn't hear anything. Not the ticking of the study clock, not the low hum of the estate's heating, not the bodyguard shifting his weight outside the door. Nothing.
Then slowly, I lowered my head.
"…I'm sorry," I said, my voice hoarse.
Ambra covered her cheek, looking at me through tears. "Serafina… are you really apologizing? Or is this just how people like you say sorry? It doesn't feel real…"
My fists clenched.
My nails dug into my palms.
Then I bent down.
Deep.
"I'm sorry," I said again, my voice breaking but clear. "I shouldn't have hit you. It was my fault. Please forgive me."
Domenico didn't say anything.
Ambra sniffed softly. "I still… don't feel sincerity…"
"Serafina," Domenico said, his voice colder now. "Don't even think about leaving until you apologize properly."
My lips trembled.
"I'm sorry," I said again, biting down hard so I wouldn't cry. "It won't happen again. I swear."
I straightened slowly and looked at him. "Is this enough?"
For a second… he just stared at me.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Like he remembered something.
Maybe the past.
But it disappeared just as fast.
"That's enough," he said coldly.
I nodded once.
Then I turned and walked out.
Didn't look back.
Behind me, I heard his voice again… but it wasn't for me.
"Does it still hurt?" he said softly. "Come here, I'll put some medicine on it. Don't move."
Ambra's voice came, quiet and weak. "It does… be gentle, okay…"
I kept walking.
Tears fell, but I wiped them away fast.
Like they never existed.
…
The next few days, he didn't come back to the estate. And I didn't call. Not once.
On the day everything became official, I went alone. The consigliere's office downtown, the one that handled the legitimate paperwork for Family unions. Signed the papers, took the document, listened to the attorney say it was finalized. When they handed it to me, I just stared at it for a second, my fingers brushing over the words.
Dissolution of the blood-bound union.
That was it. No tears. No pain. Nothing.
It was still early when I left. I got a cab back to the Valente compound, just to grab the last of my things. But the moment I opened the door, I froze.
He was there. Standing in the living room like he owned the air.
"Where the hell did you go?" Domenico asked, his voice low, eyes locking on me the second I stepped in.
I opened my mouth. Did I tell him? Did I just say it now?
Before I could speak, he let out a short breath, like he figured it out already.
"You went out to get something, didn't you? For today."
I blinked. "Today…?"
He frowned slightly. "Don't tell me you forgot. It's our anniversary."
My chest tightened.
Anniversary. Our anniversary had already passed last month.
Five years ago… same day. We stood in front of the families, exchanged rings before the priest, smiled like it meant something. The Carusos and the Valentes, bound by blood and ceremony while the Commission bore witness.
That night… he handed me dissolution papers. Told me not to take anything seriously.
Five years. Then it ends.
And now… the day I received my dissolution papers… was the same day.
Funny.
"Yeah," I said quietly, gripping my bag tighter. "I went out to prepare something."
I did.
A dissolution certificate. That counted, right?
He nodded like it was nothing. "Good. At least you didn't forget this year."
This year.
Did he know… this was also the day everything ended?
My thoughts felt messy, tangled, but I didn't say anything. My left hand drifted to my bare wrist, fingers tracing the skin where my grandmother's bracelet had once sat. The ghost of it. Then I let my hand fall.
"I'm flying to Paris tomorrow," he continued, adjusting his cuff like he was talking about a routine piece of business. "Taking Ambra with me. She's been wanting to go for a while."
Of course she had.
"So I cleared today," he added, glancing at his watch. "I booked a place. Rooftop, private, no interruptions. We'll celebrate properly this time."
Properly.
Now?
After everything?
"I'll give you your gift later," he said, already grabbing his jacket. "Get ready. We're leaving."
He walked toward the door like it was already decided. Like I would follow. The way everyone in the Valente world followed when the Don moved.
I didn't move. Not even a step.
He stopped when he realized, then turned back, his brows pulling together. "What are you doing? Don't just stand there."
I looked at him.
This man.
The one I waited for, loved, endured for five years.
Should I tell him now?
Should I just say… it's over?
My lips parted. But nothing came out.
After a few seconds, I lowered my gaze. "I… have something to finish. You go ahead. I'll follow later."
He stared at me for a moment, like he was trying to read something. His right thumb moved against the heavy silver ring on his hand, one slow rotation. Then he gave a short nod. "Fine. Don't take too long."
And just like that, he left.
The door closed. His car started outside, the low growl of the engine carrying through the compound walls.
I walked to the window and watched as it drove away, past the iron gate with the Valente crest, slowly disappearing down the private road.
First time in five years… he remembered our anniversary. One month late.
And the first time, I didn't care anymore.
I took the document out of my bag.
Brand new. Clean. Final.
I placed it on the table.
Then I picked up my suitcase. Everything I had left.
I walked to the door, paused for a second, then opened it and stepped out.
This time, I didn't look back.
