Chapter 3

Vincent clearly didn't understand what that meant.

He was about to speak when his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, then at me, then walked to the side and answered.

After hanging up, he came back, his demeanor as natural as if nothing had happened.

"Let's just move past this cold war."

The words sounded like charity.

He finished speaking and turned off his phone.

"Something came up with the family. I'm heading over."

A well-practiced excuse.

My expression didn't change.

"Go ahead."

Vincent turned and left without hesitation.

I followed.

His car eventually stopped in front of a private club.

It was a place the Moretti family used frequently—only open to their own people.

After he went in, I followed.

Vincent went up to the sixth floor and entered a private room that had clearly been reserved in advance.

I'd barely reached the door when I heard Vanessa's laughter from inside.

"Did Olivia take the bait? You went home to her on your own this time—she must have been thrilled, right?"

Vanessa's laugh was syrupy sweet.

"She really is so easy to handle. The second you make a move, all her anger just disappears."

Someone chimed in. "Honestly, I've never met a woman as easygoing as Olivia. Before, it was always her going to smooth things over with Boss. She didn't show up yesterday, Boss goes home today, and just like that—this whole cold war might as well have never happened."

"Boss, teach us how to keep a woman in line."

The others burst out laughing.

Vincent laughed and swore. "Get lost."

He paused, and then his voice came slowly.

"Olivia's always been easy to handle. Even though she heard everything we said yesterday, she didn't fight with me about it. A couple of words, and it was over."

Vanessa sounded surprised. "Olivia really did come yesterday?"

Vincent gave a low hum.

Then came another round of laughter.

Someone said I must be crazy in love with Vincent—hearing all that and still not making a fuss.

Someone said I just couldn't bear to leave, that I'd forgive him over anything.

They laughed and said Vincent really knew how to keep me under control.

I stood in the doorway and heard every last word.

No wonder Vincent had suddenly come home.

No wonder his attitude had changed.

It was only so he could prove he still had me under control.

I couldn't help but smile.

A smile full of nothing but contempt.

Just then, the door to the private room was pulled open from inside.

The person who opened it saw me, and their face went rigid.

"Olivia?"

The room fell instantly silent.

Vincent walked over. Something uneasy flickered in his eyes as he looked at me, his brow drawn tight.

"You followed me?"

I looked into his eyes and asked, "Didn't you say something came up with the family?"

I tilted my head slightly and glanced past him into the room.

My gaze landed on Vanessa's face, then pulled back to Vincent.

"This is what you meant by family business?"

Vincent couldn't find words.

Vanessa walked over to smooth things out.

"Olivia, don't blame Boss. Today's my birthday. He just came to celebrate with me. He was afraid you'd be upset, so he said it was family business."

Her mouth was explaining, but the provocation in her eyes was barely concealed.

I didn't blow up the way they'd imagined.

I just nodded.

"Is that so? Happy birthday, then."

Vanessa's smile froze on her face.

Vincent snapped back to himself and pulled me aside, lowering his voice.

"Olivia, what exactly are you trying to do?"

I looked at his anxious face and suddenly felt like laughing.

"Nothing," I said softly. "I just wanted to confirm something."

Vincent frowned. "Confirm what?"

Confirm whether my heart had truly died.

I didn't answer.

Vincent opened his mouth to say something else, but Vanessa had already run over and hooked her arm through his with practiced ease.

The motion was natural—like she'd done it a thousand times.

And Vincent didn't push her away.

"Boss, the game's about to start. Everyone's waiting for you."

Then she looked at me, the corners of her mouth curving up.

"Olivia, you should join us."

"No thanks," I said.

Vanessa stuck out her tongue.

"Alright then. But you're not upset, are you?"

"No."

Vincent shot me a surprised look, as if he couldn't understand why I was suddenly being so agreeable.

But he didn't think much of it.

"Then head home first. Get some sleep. Don't wait up for me."

The door to the private room closed, and I was alone in the hallway.

I blinked, forcing the sting back down.

My phone screen lit up. A friend request.

"Olivia, hello. I'm Adrian Marchetti. If it's convenient, we could meet first."

Marchetti.

The Don of the West Side family, and one of the most dangerous men in the entire city.

My father had mentioned him not long ago. The Marchetti family needed a solid marriage alliance, and Don Adrian was willing to meet me.

I lowered my eyes and typed a single word on the screen.

"Okay."