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The only reason I'm not fish food in the Hudson? They know my skills—not my face.

Luca’s family is royalty here.

He’s the son of Dante Bellacino, the capo di tutti capi, the kind of man whose name causes fear in certain circles.

Never seen him in person. Only whispers.

Too powerful to photograph.

Too dangerous to cross.

The Don is a shadow, never caught in the light.

That alone kept me from burning Luca down after the breakup. Oh, I wanted to. A keystroke here. A wire transfer there. Air his dirty digital laundry. But he wasn’t worth it.

I start to fidget.

Halsey yanks me down. “Chill, babe. We’re nobodies here for the champagne. No one’s looking at us.”

“Except we kind of stand out.”

She smirks. “Then let them look. You’re a walking knockout.”

"I shouldn’t be here." The truth slips out like a bruise. This isn’t closure. It’s a slow-motion train wreck.

Luca stands at the altar like the lie he is. That smile—the one that saidyou’re perfectbut never dared sayyou’re mine.

I came here to move on. But rage has better timing.

The music changes.

Guests stand.

The bride enters.

Sarah Kensington-Jones glides forward—Luca’s plastic-perfect bride. Platinum hair. Lips plumped to bursting. A smile sharp enough to draw blood.

“Christ,” Halsey mutters. “She looks like she’s never eaten a carb in her life.”

She says it too loudly. Heads turn.

Sarah used to hover when Luca and I were together. Always too eager. Too fake. The kind of girl who measured his future with her last name before I was even gone.

Now she’s wearing his ring.

And I realize: She didn’t just win. She hunted.

Deep down, I knew Luca was never mine to lose. He wanted his girl to be compliant and uncomplicated. And me? I’ve got rough edges and a heart that doesn’t know how to shrink.

I’m not perfect. But I’m real.

And that was always too much for him.

Sarah approaches the altar, and Luca steps down to meet her, his grip on her elbow more like a display of ownership than affection.

The officiant begins speaking in a solemn tone, reciting the usual lines. Love. Fidelity. Lies.

Luca’s not even looking at his bride.