Lexi’s words rang through the boutique, shattering the silence.
Falco’s face went instantly pale, the muscles in his jaw rigid.
He stood completely motionless, as if his brain had severed the connection to his limbs in that exact second.
The toe of his expensive leather shoe was just an inch away from a dark coffee stain on the marble.
He stared down at that stain, a harsh, grating sound tearing from his throat. It was the sound of a street kid from years ago, smelling blood and fighting the agonizing urge to vomit.
He asked Lexi in a hoarse, grating whisper: "She would fabricate such a sick lie for money?"
Lexi dropped to her knees, gathering my upper body into her arms.
I groaned, my heavy eyelids slowly fluttering open. But the glaring lights of the boutique blinded me.
As my vision cleared, I saw Falco’s terrified, frantic eyes, his expression full of despair.
He clung desperately to his hatred because facing the truth would shatter his soul.
He refused to break his fragile reality.
Pointing a trembling finger at me, he insisted, "You are a master manipulator, a liar, a viper. You almost tricked me again."
Ignoring the spinning room, I pulled myself out of Lexi’s arms and forced myself to stand.
I approached the Don with a stiff smile.
To protect his sanity, I validated his delusion:
"You're right. It was all a carefully orchestrated scam to con you out of your money."
Lexi writhed in agony beside me, wanting to burn the whole world down to protect me. But I used all my remaining strength to grip her wrist, reminding her of the code of silence I had demanded.
Lexi turned her face away, burying her face in her hands, sobbing.
Falco’s eyes went pitch-black, filled with murderous intent. He spat the word at me: "Bitch."
Gia yanked on Falco’s arm, pulling his attention back to her. Playing the benevolent future Donna, she suggested:
"Pay the scammer off. Get rid of her forever."
Falco took a deep breath, restoring his icy composure. He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen a few times.
A moment later, the burner phone in my pocket vibrated.
He had just transferred half a million dollars to my account.
He sneered condescendingly, announcing to the room: "That money is payment for past services rendered in my bed. A parting gift for a whore."
I took out my phone and stared at the transfer confirmation.
The flashing numbers blurred, and my smile grew full.
I said softly, "Thank you."
"And, goodbye."
Without a word, Falco grabbed Gia’s hand and dragged her out of the boutique without looking back.
Farewell, Falco. Farewell, my once love.
