When Dominic finally answered, his tone was relaxed—almost amused, as though he’d been expecting my call all along.
“Well, this is unexpected,” he said lightly. “Last time we talked, you said marrying me would be worse than death. What happened?”
A sharp, humorless laugh escaped my lips. “Victor already made it clear he’d rather see me dead,” I replied. “So tell me, Dominic—doesn’t that automatically put you ahead of him?”
There was a pause on the line, just long enough for my chest to tighten. Then he laughed, low and edged with something dark. “So now I’m the backup plan? The consolation prize because your perfect man turned out to be trash?”
My fingers curled around the phone. “If you’re not interested, then forget this conversation ever happened,” I snapped. “I’ll deal with my life on my own.”
“Valeria,” he said quietly, the teasing gone, replaced by a tired exhale. “I never said I didn’t want you. I always have. But if we’re going to do this, there’s something you need to agree to.”
My heart skipped. “What is it?”
“You don’t get to leave me again,” Dominic said, his voice steady and unyielding. “No matter what happens. No matter who interferes. If you choose me, you stay. I won’t chase you a second time.”
Something heavy settled in my chest—part fear, part strange comfort. My lips trembled, but I answered anyway. “Then start preparing for the wedding.”
He let out a sharp breath. “Just like that?”
“Not quite,” I replied, forcing calm into my voice. “There’s one more thing I need. I want them to feel what it’s like to lose me. Every single one of them. Can you make it look like I died—in five days?”
The silence stretched, then broke with a quiet, dangerous laugh. “Leave it to me.”
My hand slipped, the phone nearly falling as my body shook. I never imagined my life would spiral into this—but anything was better than staying with people who had been betraying me for years without remorse.
The hours passed slowly after that. I waited. For a call. A message. Any sign that someone noticed I was gone. That someone cared.
No one did.
Not Victor.
Not Adrian.
Not Leo.
By nightfall, the emptiness was unbearable. Against medical advice, I forced myself out of the hospital and went back to the house I once called home.
The moment I stepped inside, my stomach twisted. The air was thick with alcohol and cigarette smoke. The remnants of a celebration were everywhere—empty bottles, overturned glasses, confetti crushed into the floor. It looked like a place where joy had thrived without a single thought of me.
I climbed the stairs slowly, my bag dragging behind me—until I saw her.
Marcella.
Her face drained of color when she spotted me. She staggered backward, clutching her chest in panic. “She’s here—she’s alive! She’s going to hurt me!”
Her voice brought Adrian and Leo rushing out immediately.
“And why would she do that?” Adrian snapped, glaring straight at me.
Their eyes pinned me in place—cold, accusing.
“Where have you been?” Leo demanded. “You vanished for days. You missed the party welcoming Marcella back. Do you know how disrespectful that is?”
My chest tightened. “A welcome party?” I whispered. “For her? After everything she did? You both said you’d never forgive her. You said she destroyed this family—said she was responsible for Father’s death!”
The blow came before I could react.
Adrian’s palm struck my face, the sound echoing through the hall. Pain exploded across my cheek as tears sprang to my eyes.
“Don’t say that again!” he growled. “Marcella told us the truth. You were the one who introduced her to that man. You set her up. You let her take the fall so you could walk away clean.”
My heart dropped. “That’s a lie!” I cried. “Yes, I knew him—but only because Marcella begged me to introduce them. She liked him! She chased him! I warned her, Adrian. I told her it was dangerous. Everything that happened after that was her decision, not mine!”
But his expression only hardened.
“You really expect us to believe you?” Leo snapped. “After deceiving us for years?”
I shook my head desperately. “I never touched his money. I never worked with him. I stayed away. You’re blaming the wrong person!”
Marcella lowered her head, her shoulders trembling as she played her part perfectly. “Please… stop fighting. This is why I stayed away for so long. I didn’t want to tear the family apart.”
Leo silenced me with a glare. “Enough, Valeria. We’re done listening to your excuses.”
Marcella sniffed softly, whispering, “I shouldn’t have come back if it only causes pain. I just wanted us to be a family again.”
“Family?” Victor’s voice cut through the tension as he descended the stairs. His arms crossed over his chest, his eyes emotionless. “This isn’t a fight. We’re just fixing things. Valeria should apologize—and hand over her inheritance. It was never meant for her. Marcella deserves it.”
I shook my head violently. “No! Father gave it to me because he trusted me. He knew I was the only one who wouldn’t destroy this family!”
Leo struck me again, this time harder. “Enough! You don’t deserve anything—not after everything you’ve done.”
My body trembled, fury burning through me. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to cry in front of them. “I’m ashamed of all of you,” I said hoarsely. “I don’t have a family anymore.”
I ran upstairs and slammed my bedroom door shut. My hands shook as I stuffed clothes into a bag, anger and heartbreak fueling every movement.
The door opened behind me.
Victor.
He stepped closer, his voice suddenly gentle, arms wrapping around me like nothing had happened. “I’m sorry. Just calm down, okay? Let’s talk. I only wanted to—”
I shoved him away with all the strength I had left. My fingers closed around the cheap plastic ring on my hand—the five-dollar promise he once called forever. With a hollow laugh, I tore it off and threw it at his chest.
“Stay away from me,” I said coldly. “Keep your lies. I don’t need them anymore.”
