Chapter 1

The man I've been secretly married to for 5 years shows up at my family reunion—with my adopted sister, and they're announcing themselves as a newly married couple.

At the dinner table, Luca holds Mia's hand.

Their matching wedding bands gleam so brightly I can barely look at them.

He's all smiles.

"Sofia, Mia and I got married today."

My mom beams and pulls out the diamond necklace she's kept in the safe for just this occasion.

"Luca, you and Lena used to beg to get married when you were kids."

"Now that you're with Mia, if you know any good men, remember to send them Lena's way. She's not getting any younger."

I freeze. The words don't register.

My eyes stay locked on those flashing rings and their intertwined fingers.

He told me the war between the families meant we had to keep our marriage hidden for five years.

Then he'd claim me in public. Make me his wife. The queen of the Walsh family.

But the woman he just claimed is Mia.

After dinner, Luca orders me out to the balcony.

He lights a cigarette. His voice is ice-cold.

"That story about losing our marriage papers? A lie. What you signed last week was the divorce papers."

My hands go cold. I can barely get the words out.

"Why?"

He sighs as if I'm the one being difficult, then ruffles my hair.

"Mia's your mom's adopted kid. What happens when the family needs an alliance and ships her off to some old man?"

Tears slip down my face. Mia calls softly for Luca to come home.

I watch them walk out together, then turn to my mom, my voice cracking.

"Mom, I'll move to Switzerland with you."

...

My mom freezes. Stunned.

She feels my forehead like I've lost my mind.

"No fever. I spent months begging you to move with me and you always refused."

"What changed?"

I kept refusing because I couldn't leave Luca.

He's a germaphobe with a sensitive stomach. Without me, he can't take care of himself.

And our five-year secret was almost over. I'd finally be his wife in public.

I could wake up next to him and live the good life I'd waited five years for.

But now he threw me away with a weak excuse and chose Mia.

My eyes sting. The tears are right there.

I turn away so she won't see, wipe my eyes, and force myself steady.

"I need a change of scenery. I hear Switzerland's full of hot guys."

"Maybe I'll bring you back a son-in-law."

Mom stares at my red-rimmed eyes and lets out a soft sigh.

"Silly girl. You're heartbroken because Luca married Mia."

"I could tell from the time you were little that you loved him."

"He always looked after you too. I kept waiting for good news from the two of you. Never thought he'd end up with Mia."

She's hit it dead on. Every hurt I've been swallowing comes flooding up.

I throw myself into her arms and the tears finally break.

She doesn't know Luca kissed me soft and slow just last night.

The plain silver band on my finger, the one I never let anyone touch, is the ring he slid on when he proposed.

Back in my room, my phone won't stop buzzing.

Mia's sent photos. Just to twist the knife.

First one: her and Luca at a candlelit dinner in the exact restaurant where he told me he loved me.

Second one: her and Luca, naked and tangled together on the bed I picked out after weeks of hunting for.

Luca's old-school. He swore I couldn't move into our home until he made me his wife in public.

I check the photo's timestamp. Two years ago.

My heart turns to ice. He's been cheating on me the whole time.

The third photo is a group shot.

When I see the man standing next to Luca, my mind goes blank.

My body starts shaking on its own. The phone hits the floor.

A message from Mia pops up.

[Don't you wanna know why Luca had to marry you five years ago?]