Dante’s POV

I instinctively covered the receiver. The thought of Sienna hearing Tess’s voice made my blood run cold.

I looked at Tess and gave a reluctant nod. "Fine, we’ll have a drink."

Tess let out a small cheer of victory and grabbed my arm. I looked down at my phone screen—the call had been disconnected.

Staring at the blank screen, I felt a suffocating pressure in my chest.

An hour later, I returned to Syndicate HQ and locked myself in my private office. Tess burst in, clutching a thick manila envelope.

"Boss, an urgent package sent directly from the Madam."

I reached for the envelope. As my fingers brushed the thick paper, a cold premonition washed over me. Sienna had never sent anything to headquarters before.

I tore the seal with my thumb, my hand trembling as I pulled out a stack of crisp white documents. My vision began to blur at the edges. I had to lean my full weight against the desk to keep my legs from giving out.

The only sound in the room was the rushing of blood in my ears.

"Boss... what does she mean?" Tess stammered. "Is she really asking for a divorce?"

I didn't hear her. I stared at the bold black font at the top of the page: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

A total violation of Omertà, a violation of the sacred laws of the family. No one leaves the Syndicate, and no one leaves the Godfather.

But the evidence was right there, signed in Sienna’s elegant hand at the bottom of the page.

I tipped the envelope upside down over the desk. A small object fell out, hitting the mahogany with a sharp metallic clink.

It was her wedding ring—a plain steel band.

I stared at that cheap ring, my vision blurring.

I remembered the day we stood in that dim little chapel, back when I was just a low-level enforcer. Sienna had stolen her family’s marriage registry papers just to marry me.

She had specifically picked out the cheapest ring in the display case and then looked up at me with a smile:

"When you run this city, you can buy me a better one."

A sudden heat burned my eyes.

I remembered the blood oath I had sworn to protect and cherish her for the rest of my life.

And yet, I hadn't even bought her a better ring.

I forgot... I just, forgot.

Dante’s POV

"Boss!" Tess called my name twice before I snapped back to reality.

I grabbed the steel band from the desk and squeezed it tight in my fist. The cheap metal dug into my palm, but the physical sting was nothing compared to the massive void in my chest.

I refused to sign the papers. I shoved them roughly back into the envelope and threw them into a drawer.

Tess leaned over the desk, letting out a soft scoff. "She’s just throwing a tantrum. She’s threatened this before, but she’s never actually followed through."

I slowly lifted my head, a cold fury gathering in my heart. "Don’t you dare speak about my wife like that again!"

Tess took a step back, sticking her tongue out as if to break the tension.

But her dismissive words echoed in my mind, planting a seed of desperate hope.

She had to be right. Sienna was just acting out of grief. She was just throwing a tantrum.

I stood up abruptly and stormed out of headquarters. I drove through the city streets like a madman until I reached the estate gates.

I kicked open the front door and raced up the stairs to the master bedroom.

I stopped dead in the doorway.

Her presence had vanished from the room.

The closet doors were wide open. The expensive gowns I’d bought hung motionless, but her favorite, simple old clothes were gone.

The cheap toiletries on the vanity had been cleared away, and the velvet box containing the diamond jewelry I’d gifted her sat alone like a museum exhibit.

A wave of nausea hit me. I realized I hadn't been home since the Commission meeting days ago.

I pulled out my private phone and scrolled through our text history. She had changed so much since the miscarriage. No more asking about my whereabouts, no more asking for my time. Just an icy silence.

"Sienna, when are you coming home?" I typed and hit send.

I sat on the edge of the bed and waited for hours in the dark.

Just before midnight, the phone finally vibrated:

"Did you sign? I’m only coming back to finish the final paperwork."

I stared at the glowing words on the screen, feeling the air in my lungs turn to dust. I immediately hit the call button, dialing her over and over, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

The ringing suddenly stopped.

"Hello." Her voice was soft, completely devoid of emotion.