We returned to the penthouse.

Franco offered to cook dinner to make up for his absence.

He left his phone on the marble kitchen island.

The caller ID was still the Port Authority Contact.

I always knew Franco's passcode.

I unlocked the screen.

A stream of messages flooded in.

"Franco, I miss you so much. Are you coming over tonight."

"You were so rough last night. My back still hurts. I cannot even get out of bed."

A photo of her wearing sheer black lace lingerie followed.

I did not read the rest.

It was completely meaningless now.

I would never turn back once the thought of leaving took root in my mind.

His phone buzzed again.

I kindly handed it to him.

"Here. Your phone has been ringing for a while."

The corners of his mouth twitched upward as he answered.

I knew I was not going to eat this apology dinner tonight.

Franco hugged me gently.

His guilt was palpable.

"Siena, I am so sorry. An emergency came up at the warehouse. I have to head over there right now. I might have to stay at the club tonight."

"Okay. Go ahead."

I maintained a perfectly polite smile.

Franco grabbed his leather jacket and rushed toward the door.

I received a text from an unknown number at midnight.

It was a picture.

The photo only showed the side of Franco's face.

The woman only showed off a pair of long, bare legs.

I did not need to guess.

I had zero interest in knowing who this woman was.

The picture from last night made the underground tabloids the next morning.

[Moretti Underboss Franco Caught Cheating!]

[Franco's Chaotic Private Life Exposed!]

I looked at the headlines dominating the screen.

My heart felt absolutely nothing.

Don Moretti called me personally.

He told me not to throw a fit.

I gave him a few vague answers and ended the call.

Franco finally walked through the door a week later.

He brought the same pastrami sandwich.

I suddenly found it hilarious.

"Franco, I am about to throw up from eating this exact same sandwich for seven years. It makes me sick just looking at it."

"What."

He froze in place.

He never expected me to say something like that.

He thought I would spin around in circles with joy based on his understanding of me.

He thought I should be grateful.

A person truly lost all their light when they stopped loving.

Franco was wearing a custom navy suit today.

I used to think he looked bright and handsome.

Now he just looked horribly average.

People were right.

My love was the gold plating that made him shine.

He only glowed because I loved him.

I stared straight into his eyes.

I repeated myself word by word.

"I said I am sick of this sandwich. It has been seven years. I want a different taste. Is that not allowed."

He looked stunned but quickly recovered.

"Sure. Of course. What do you want to eat. I will go buy it."

He acted like I should be crying tears of gratitude just because he agreed to my request.

"I want a lobster roll from Chelsea Market. Go get it."

I would normally just settle for what he brought.

I just refused to settle today.

"Forget it if you do not want to go. Making someone eat the exact same thing for seven years gets tiring. Let alone doing it to me."

Confusion mixed with his panic.

He still refused to explain anything.

He could keep hiding it then.

Franco searched my face for any clues.

I did not show a single flaw.

Franco was absolutely certain I knew nothing about his cheating.

"Wait for me."

He leaned down to kiss my forehead, turned and walked out.

I snapped out of it when I heard his engine roar away.

Saying I had no feelings left after seven years was a lie.

His actions had completely shattered my heart.

I had promised my family I would marry no one but him.

It all looked like a massive joke now.

Siena, your taste in men is garbage.

Thankfully there was still time to fix this.

Franco did not return by noon.

I took a cab straight to his Manhattan nightclub.

The head of security blocked me at the entrance.

"Miss Siena, the boss is meeting a very important guest. Please wait a moment."

"Alright."

I sat in the VIP lounge for forty minutes.

The heavy oak doors finally opened from the inside.

Franco walked out with the dancer from the tabloids.

The security guard stepped up and whispered in his ear.

Franco lifted his eyes and met mine.

His hand dropped from the woman's waist.

He walked toward me with quick, urgent steps.

"Siena, why are you here."

"Nothing. You took so long buying food. I was worried about you so I came to check."

I looked past him.

"Who is this."

"Oh. She is a new talent we are signing for the club. We are expanding our entertainment division."

"Hello. I am Luna. Franco personally poached me to work here."

Franco.

She called him so intimately.

Was she showing off to me.

Was this a declaration of war.

It did not matter what she meant.

I felt nothing but pure disdain.

Luna wore stiletto heels and crossed her arms.

She looked incredibly smug and arrogant.

Franco noticed my subtle expression.

He turned to Luna.

"You can go back now. We are done here."

Luna glared at me viciously.

She felt Franco's attitude shift.

She twisted her hips and stormed off in a petty rage.

"Siena, do not be angry. She and I are completely clean. Nothing is going on."

Franco raised his hand to swear to God.

I could not help but laugh out loud.

"I believe you. Did you not say I am the only one you love."

"Of course. We are getting married next month."

Married.

Were we really still getting married.

I smiled a bitter, hollow smile.

He reached out and pulled me into his office.

The same cheap cherry perfume assaulted my senses the moment I pressed against his body.

I saw the deep red hickeys through his slightly open collar.

A violent wave of nausea hit my stomach.

"What is wrong."

I looked up at him.

My eyes burned with heat.

"Franco. Do you have anything to say to me."

I suddenly felt that Franco was unspeakably dirty.

I felt like a scavenger picking through garbage.

He rejected the idea of explaining.

"I am sorry. I should have come back earlier. I already bought the lobster roll you wanted. Look."

The food was completely cold.

"Franco, would you ever betray me."

"Of course not. Am I that kind of person. I only have you in my heart."

"Is that so."

He raised his voice suddenly.

His guilt turned into defensive anger.

"What is wrong with you. You have been so paranoid lately. I told you we are getting married next month. What more do you want."

My tears could no longer be stopped.

"I am satisfied. Of course I am satisfied. I am very satisfied Franco."

I walked out of the office before he could chase after me.

I ran into Luna by the elevators.

She came to show off.

"Let me tell you the truth. Franco and I have been together for years. I only got into this club because of him."

"Oh. If Franco really loved you, he would never send you to work in a place like this."

"What do you know. Franco said he loves me."

"Really. Then let him try to marry you."

"You."

Luna stamped her foot in anger.

I walked out and got into a waiting car.

I drove past Luna.

She was still standing there grinding her teeth.

Franco came home late that night.

"Siena, the syndicate is opening a new smuggling route. I might need your help."

"What route is it. Is there something you cannot handle."

I asked the question on purpose.

"I just need you to show your face and give me a push."

"Okay."

Franco knew the other side would give face to the Moretti family if I stepped in.

Everyone in New York had to look at the Moretti family's face.

That route would land safely in his hands.

I knew exactly what Franco wanted.

He wanted the leverage of my family behind me.

Everyone knew the sheer power of the Moretti syndicate.

I had fought with my father over Franco.

But I was still the only daughter of the Moretti family.

My father loved me fiercely.

"Do not worry Franco. I will definitely help you when the time comes."

"Thank you Siena. I love you."

Franco leaned in to kiss me.

I shifted my body and dodged him perfectly.

"Franco, I am a bit tired today. I want to rest early."

Franco thought I was just acting out my usual petty temper.

He thought I felt neglected these past few days.

I lay in bed with my back to him.

Franco wrapped his arms around me from behind.

He rested his chin on my shoulder.

He kissed the back of my neck over and over again.

"I am sorry Siena. We will get married as soon as I finish this busy period. I will take a long vacation and we can travel the world."

I kept my back to him.

My eyes were wet.

I truly loved Franco.

But my disappointment was just as real now.

There was only one week left until our seven-year promise.

I would cross my bridge and he would cross his from now on.

We would never see each other again.