During our decade together, I stay by Felix Valentino's side as he slowly ascends to the peak of the mafia world. I become the woman he trusts most.

However, he secretly names an island that we fought for and won together after my best friend, Lilian Fenati.

Why? Because Lilian is terminally ill. Her dying wish is to marry Felix on the island named after her.

Felix clamps down on this and forbids anyone from telling me. He has no idea Lilian live streams the whole thing for me.

That night, I cry my heart out. Meanwhile, Felix spends the night with Lilian.

I lie in a pool of blood. My heart condition acts up, and my breathing starts to slow. Where is Felix? At the hospital with Lilian.

Five days later, I accept a marriage proposal from Harold Bonanno, the mafia king.

Tonight was the tenth anniversary of my relationship with Felix Valentino. This was supposed to be the night he'd finally propose.

Instead, here I was, talking about marriage plans with his archenemy, Harold Bonanno, don of the Bonanno family.

"Sylvie, once you're my wife, your life will be all about me. Got it?"

After I agreed, he began flooding my phone with texts, insisting on confirmation every few minutes. When I finally gave him the answer he wanted, he wasted no time in having his underboss send me a ten-page catalog of wedding gowns.

Each dress was handpicked from the world's most elite designers, shimmering with diamonds worth a fortune.

"These were all custom-made in Pavlune, Miravella, Neoverta. Pick whichever catches your eye."

When I didn't respond to Harold's text, he sent another.

"If these don't impress you, we'll go to Isperia's haute couture show in three days. You can choose your gown there."

I silently scrolled through the photos of the wedding gowns. Finally, I tapped on one—a masterpiece hand-embroidered with pink diamonds and a ten-foot train flowing behind. It looked like a gown meant for royal brides.

"I'll take this wedding gown," I said quietly.

Felix had appeared behind me at some point, catching only the tail end of my words.

"Wedding gown? What wedding gown?" he asked abruptly.

He turned to me, his usual marble-like composure cracking, replaced by a flicker of panic. He must have been afraid I'd bring up the topic of marriage.

Just then, my phone rang.

I picked it up to see my best friend, Lilian Fenati's name flashing on the screen. During the video call, she looked pale, with crimson streaks smeared at the corner of her lips.

"Sylvie, I need Felix. I threw up blood again just now. I'm so scared…" she whispered hoarsely.

Before I could respond, Felix grabbed my phone.

"Don't be afraid, Lilian! I'm on my way!" he said, his voice frantic.

Then, Felix left me behind, driving off in the only car at the mountaintop villa without so much as a word.

The night closed in around me, heavy and stifling, the silence so absolute that the only sound was the whisper of the wind.

Felix didn't so much as glance back.

He knew tonight was my birthday. We were supposed to be here, waiting for shooting stars together. He'd promised me that he'd make a wish about staying by my side for the rest of our lives.

Felix knew better than anyone what I'd been through—how I'd been taken, how that nightmare had left me with a fear of the dark and being alone.

And still, he left for Lilian. Without a moment's hesitation, he left me stranded on this desolate mountaintop.

After all the times he'd disappointed me, that last shred of illusion I'd held onto turned to dust. So this was what it felt like when a heart finally burned out of love for someone.

My phone rang again. This time, it was Harold.

"Sylvie, are you ready? I'll come get you tomorrow."

I didn't hesitate. "Give me one more week. Once I've taken care of what needs to be done here, we'll leave for Luminara and get married."

There was a short pause on the other end before Harold answered, his tone gentler now. "Alright, I'll wait for you. But if anything comes up that you can't handle alone, promise me you'll let me know."

After hanging up, I made my way down the mountain alone, returning to the home I shared with Felix.

I decided to visit Felix's grandmother, Pauline Perella. She and Grandma had been part of the same ballet troupe, and their friendship had always transcended the boundaries of our families.

When I was eight, I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. The Valentino family ran the most prestigious private hospital in northern Clyravan, and my family sent me there to recover.

Felix's parents, Don Marco Valentino and Madre Isabella Lucchetta, treated me as if I were their own, and Grandma Pauline herself was the one who taught me the family's traditions and values. She even suggested to others that I could someday be the Valentino family's future lady.

But all of that ended tonight.

Standing in front of her now, I dipped my head slightly and said softly, "Grandma Pauline, I have to go."

Her gaze, warm yet heavy with sadness, lingered on me. "You've been through so much, Sylvie."

She sighed. After a long, quiet moment, she pulled an emerald ring from her sleeve and carefully slipped it onto my ring finger.

"Take this, Sylvie. No matter where life leads you, you'll always be one of the Valentinos."

I looked down at the ring and felt a rush of emotions I couldn't put into words.

…

Felix had stayed out all night again.

At 4:00 am, my phone lit up with a message from Lilian.

"My dearest lion, thank you for making wishes on the shooting stars with me. You're the reason I keep going."

Attached was a photo of a meteor slicing through the night sky. Felix and Lilian were huddled close, grinning at the camera, their fingers laced together in a wish-making gesture.

The caption read, "May all our wishes come true."

But seconds later, the message disappeared.

"Sorry, Sylvie. Wrong person.

"Felix really cherishes this photo and asked me to send it to him. You're not mad, are you?"

I didn't respond to Lilian. I barely glanced at the photo before shutting my phone off. That night, I packed my things in the room, ready to leave.

Felix didn't come home until noon the next day.

"Lilian wasn't doing well last night, Sylvie. I had to be there for her," he said, handing me an elegant gift box. "Sweetheart, I got this for our anniversary. I never forgot how much you wanted one."

I lifted the lid of the gift box, revealing a Harry Winston diamond necklace that sparkled with breathtaking brilliance. The design was familiar.

Lilian had one just like it—though hers, adorned with pink diamonds, was far more expensive.

Felix's unease grew as he took in my lack of enthusiasm. "Sylvie, you're not upset, are you?"

I offered a smile, my voice flat. "Considering Lilian's delicate condition, it's only natural you'd want to look after her."

He let out a quiet sigh of relief. "I'm glad you understand. We've got a long road ahead of us, after all. But Lilian's running out of time. There's still so much she wants to do…"

His voice broke off suddenly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

I studied him with a faint smile. "If it's tearing you apart, then go to her completely. I won't stop you. How could I possibly resent someone who's dying? But don't spend the rest of your life mourning at her grave. I have no intention of waiting around on my own."

As I turned to leave, Felix seized my wrist with a sudden, fierce grip. "Sylvie, what are you getting at?"

"Are you jealous, by any chance?" Felix asked. "You've always been the one telling me to look out for Lilian, especially with her health being so fragile. Now that I'm doing exactly that, you're upset with me."

When I didn't respond, his tone took on a self-righteous tone. "Don't be unreasonable, Sylvie. She's your best friend. Weren't you the one who asked me to be kind to her? And now you're upset because I stayed to make a wish with her?"

I was exasperated. "How incredibly noble of you, Felix."

He frowned, about to fire back when his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, then looked up.

"I'll be out of town for a few days on business. Take care of yourself while I'm gone."

I gave a vague hum in response, secretly hoping he might just stay away for good.

…

Early the next morning, I slipped into an elegant gown and got ready to head to Valentino Estate to say my goodbyes.

In the grand hall, the family elders were gathered around the long table, engrossed in discussion about recent family affairs.

Don Valentino sat at the head of the table.

I gave a slight nod. "Don Valentino, thank you for your generosity over the years. I've come today to say my goodbyes."

The murmur of conversation stuttered to a halt. The grand banquet hall went still.

Madre Isabella's face tightened with concern. "What's going on, Sylvie? Why are you leaving all of a sudden?"

Don Valentino slammed his hand against the table. "Where's Felix? Why isn't he here with you? Did he do something to you?"

Before I could respond, slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from the hallway. Felix walked in, Lilian by his side.

"Sylvie? What are you doing here?" Lilian's voice carried the confidence of someone who saw herself as the Valentino family's future daughter-in-law.

A faint smile crossed my lips as I replied coolly, "Where I decide to be is no business of yours."

I turned and headed to the door.

Snapping out of his daze, Felix rushed after me. "Don't get the wrong idea, Sylvie. I only brought Lilian here so my parents could help her find a good doctor. You're not mad, are you?

"Haven't you always wanted the best for Lilian? She's ill. Doesn't it make sense to let her stay here so we can look after her?"

For some reason, a memory flashed through my mind. It was from when Felix was 16, back when we'd taken that trip to Mount Frostara in Javellis. Standing at the snow-covered peak, he'd made me a promise.

He said that marrying me was the one thing he wanted more than anything else and that I'd someday become the lady of the Valentino family. But now, he'd brought Lilian into his family all while feeding me some lie about a business trip.

I let out a bitter laugh, the absurdity of it all hitting me.

When I didn't respond, he added, "Sylvie, you're not bothered by something this insignificant, are you?"

I kept my eyes on him, struck by how pitiful and ridiculous he'd become.

Felix pulled me into an embrace and kissed my forehead. "Just go home. I'll see you later."

The moment he walked away, I wiped my forehead clean. He made me sick to my stomach.