Chapter 2

“Enzo, once she moves into the estate, will she make me leave?”

Viola lowered her head and started picking at the diamonds on her nails.

“I'll take them all off. This is my fault. I shouldn't have celebrated my birthday.”

Enzo caught her hand at once.

“Don't hurt yourself. They were a gift from me. Why should you take them off?”

He wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, then looked at me.

“Clara, you've always been reasonable. She's younger than you. You're not going to hold this against her, are you?”

I shut the case.

“Delivering the R-9 was a condition of the agreement. You haven't kept your promise, so I won't sign.

“The wedding is off. Who you give your things to is no longer any concern of mine.”

The smile froze on Enzo's face.

“What did you say?”

Mia stepped up beside me.

“Miss Hart said the marriage is off. Nothing will be signed today, and no money will be transferred to your accounts.”

Enzo's expression darkened.

“You're calling off the marriage because I traded the medicine for Viola's birthday present?

“Every family knows we were supposed to make our engagement official today. You back out now, and you humiliate the Ruscettis.”

Viola clutched his sleeve, her tears falling faster.

“She's angry with me. Don't blame her.”

Then she turned to me.

“But you need to think about what matters. Enzo runs a family. Why are you so determined to make him beg in front of everyone?

“Your father's money doesn't buy you a place in our world. Do you know how many women would love to stand beside him? He chose you. What more do you want?”

She paused, lowering her voice just enough that everyone could still hear.

“And is your mother really that sick? I heard she's just weak. The Harts made sure everyone knew they were looking for this drug. Wasn't that just a way to attract a powerful husband?”

The way Enzo looked at me changed.

“So that's what this is? You're making a scene because you want more attention?

“I told you I'd find another dose. You've got all these guests, all the fuss you wanted. What else do you need?”

Someone finally spoke up.

“Her mother's life depends on that medicine. It's not a missing necklace.”

“The agreement is clear. The medicine comes first, then the signatures. He breaks the deal, and somehow she's the difficult one?”

Another guest lowered their voice.

“Aren't the Ruscettis' debts coming due? I don't think it's the fiancée he can't bear to lose. It's the twenty million.”

Enzo's mother, Camilla, couldn't hide her embarrassment. She came over and took my hand.

“Clara, you're a sensible girl. Enzo should have handled the medicine more carefully. I'll make sure he follows up.

“But Viola grew up in our home. Her father died taking a bullet for my husband. Enzo looks after her like a sister. There's no need to be jealous.

“A don's wife has to think of the bigger picture.”

I withdrew my hand and stepped back.

“Mrs. Ruscetti, my father was very clear before he left. The medicine goes to the doctor, the doctor confirms it's usable, and only then do we sign.

“There's no medicine. There's no deal.

“Everyone knows my mother needs that dose to survive. Enzo knows it too.”

I looked at him.

“And he still traded it for the diamonds on Viola's nails.

“To him, my mother's life matters less than a manicure. Do you honestly think I should marry a man like that?”

Camilla's smile faded.

I held my ground.

“You say I've humiliated your family. Did you think about mine when you walked into our house with an expired bottle of supplements?”

They wanted our money to pay their debts while trampling over my mother and me to keep Viola happy.

They really thought I would beg them on my knees again.

I opened the case and set the bottle in front of Enzo.

“Take it with you. We don't want it.”