Lucio's pupils contracted sharply, as if he did not understand my words.

"What did you just say?"

"Divorce. Burn the marriage contract," My voice was calm, "it's over between us."

Behind him, Camilla's lips twitched upward before she quickly schooled her expression.

"Ada must be upset," she said sweetly, "she doesn't really want to leave the family."

Lucio blinked back to himself, wearing that distant, puzzled expression he had adopted since his memory loss.

"Divorce? But, I thought Camilla was my wife."

I did not bother playing along with his act.

Turning on my heel, I headed for the family council chamber.

Behind me, Camilla tugged at Lucio's arm, whispering urgently as they followed.

Inside, the old priest was already waiting with the marriage contract and the seal, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"Ada, are you sure about this?" Lucio frowned, "As long as you take Camilla's place on the front lines, I'll let you stay."

"I'm sure," I replied evenly.

He was silent for a moment, then softened his tone.

"I just remembered something. Our wedding day, you were in a white gown, standing in the church, sunlight falling on you."

I looked up at him, smiling faintly.

"Yes. And that day, you were two hours late. Everyone thought you'd run away."

Lucio froze.

"You finally showed up, said, Sorry, I got held up, and didn't even bother to explain," I said flatly. "But I still married you. Because back then, I thought that was just how your family's rules worked."

His brow furrowed. He did not expect that response.

Camilla tugged at his sleeve, murmuring, "Lucio, she doesn't care at all about the pain you're in from losing your memory."

He glanced at her, then suddenly slipped an arm around her waist, raising his voice deliberately.

"That's right. A woman this heartless toward her husband, I wouldn't have liked her even without the memory loss."

"Heartless?" I gave a cold laugh, watching his face darken, "I thought you said she was your wife. Why do you suddenly expect me to be understanding?"

The priest gave a loud cough, his gaze sliding away.

"Burn it," I told him, not sparing either of them another look.

The parchment curled and blackened in the flames, crumbling into ash.

Camilla leaned into Lucio's arms, her voice dripping with false concern. "Ada, where will you stay tonight?"

"In my room," I said.

She blinked innocently. "But that bedroom's mine now."

I nodded. "Alright. Then I'll pack my things."

Lucio followed close behind, his voice ice-cold. "You can leave, but you're not taking a single thing from the family."

I ignored him and walked into what was once my bedroom.

The space was already remade.

My vanity was replaced with Camilla's perfume rack, and my wardrobe stuffed with her dresses.

The wedding photo that once sat on the nightstand was now a framed picture of her and Lucio.

I pulled out my suitcase and began packing.

Lucio lingered in the doorway, his gaze sweeping the room until it landed on the desk.

There, half-hidden in the corner, was an old photo of the two of us: left carelessly by Camilla.

He walked over, picked it up, his eyes flickering. "This was in Exily," he said quietly.

"Mhm. The day you left me waiting at the docks for three hours because you were helping Camilla shop for dresses."

His head snapped up. "I remember that."

"Do you?" I closed my suitcase and stood, "Then do you also remember that when you came back that night, I was burning with a high fever, and you just had the butler bring me two fever pills?"

His fingers tightened around the photo, creasing its edges.

"Ada-" His voice dropped low, as if offering me one last chance, "I remember a little. We could start over."

"No," I cut him off, picking up my suitcase, "Lucio, when you decided to fake amnesia, you should have been ready for me to leave."

He grabbed my wrist, the flicker of guilt in his eyes hardening into fury.

"And what gives you the right to assume I'm faking? Where would you even go without me? Don't forget that the Bianchi family's armory keys are still in my hands!"

I pulled my hand free.

Camilla came running in, barely hiding her excitement. "Lucio! Good news! The Della Veras just responded!"

Lucio's head snapped toward her. "What did Massimo say?"

She shot me a provocative glance, then beamed.

"Mr. Della Vera may be a little eccentric, but he was very polite to me. We just have to wait a few days to sign the deal."

Lucio's tense expression eased instantly.

He turned to me with a smug look. "You hear that, Ada? I don't need you for this. Camilla's more capable than you ever were."

Camilla clung to him, a victor's smile on her face, mouthing silently at me: "Loser."

I looked at the two of them, drowning in their false triumph, and smiled.

Of course, they didn't know that the badge Massimo gave me was the real key to the deal.

"That's great," I said calmly, pulling my suitcase handle, "I wish you both the best."

Lucio was certain I was bluffing. He gave a short, derisive laugh and tightened his hold on Camilla.

"Drop the act. I know you're losing your mind with regret. But hear me-" His voice rose, brimming with arrogant certainty. "Without the Rossi family, you are nothing. You'll come crawling back to me soon enough."

I waved a hand dismissively, leaving them behind without a backward glance, and walked out.

After leaving the Rossi family, the world suddenly seemed brighter.

No more waking in the middle of the night to gunfire, no more taking bullets meant for Lucio, and no more enduring Camilla's fake, sugary concern.

Even my complexion improved.

My friend Serena pulled me into investing in her newly opened art gallery. It was right on Norla's most bustling avenue.

"Ada, your eye for art is sharper than it ever was for firearms!" Serena said, thrilled as she admired the work of a rising young painter we'd just signed.

I lowered my gaze to review the contract terms, feeling perfectly content. "I know. I should've done this ages ago."

"Tonight, there's a charity gala at the Vittorio estate. Are you coming? I hear it's high-profile, with lots of interesting people."

"Of course," I nodded.

It was time certain people saw just how well I could live without the Rossi name.

When I arrived, my arm looped through that of Andre Costa, the eldest son of the Costa family. He was a key partner for my gallery.

We drew a stir. Andre was young, strikingly handsome, and effortlessly elegant.

"Ada, you're dazzling tonight," Andre murmured sincerely.

"Thank you. You look rather charming yourself," I replied with a smile.

Just then, another wave of commotion rippled at the entrance.

Lucio walked in with Camilla.

Lucio, in a sharp suit, was still handsome, but the arrogance between his brows was deeper.

Camilla clung to him, beaming like the cat who'd caught the canary.

Andre caught the shift in the air, tilting his head toward me.

"If you'd rather not see them, we can slip into the side hall."

"No need." I shook my head.

But Lucio already spotted us. His eyes lingered on Andre for a moment, darkening.

"Everyone," he suddenly raised his voice, lifting his glass, "allow me to formally introduce my partner: Camilla. From today on, she will represent the Rossi family in all matters."

Polite applause followed, though more than a few eyes darted toward me.

Camilla, smug, tightened her hold on Lucio's arm, her gaze locking onto mine. "Thank you, everyone. I'll do much better than certain people."

Andre gently held my hand and offered, "Want me to handle this?"

I was about to refuse when Lucio, with Camilla in tow, strode over.

"Ada," he said from above, his tone dripping with condescension, "found yourself a replacement so soon?"

Andre's brows knitted, but I patted his arm lightly.

I met his eyes, calm, "Lucio, we're divorced. Who I'm with has nothing to do with you."

"Nothing to do with me?" He looked genuinely offended, his voice rising with an absurd possessiveness. "It's only been a few days, Ada. You just couldn't wait, could you?"

Camilla leaned in, her tone syrupy with false pity. "Ada, I know you're hurting, but you can't just throw yourself away like this."

My lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. "Throw myself away? Says the woman who was sleeping with her friend's husband."

Color drained from her face.

Lucio's stare hardened, his voice dropping low. "Actually, with Camilla's help, I've remembered some things."

"Oh?" I tilted my head slightly, holding his gaze, "like how you pretended to have amnesia so you could roll around in my bed with Camilla, planning to dump me the moment the Della Vera deal was sealed?"

The feigned affection in his expression was shattered.

"You're spouting nonsense!" Camilla snapped, her voice shrill.

"Whether I am or not, you both know the truth," I said evenly, "Lucio, drop the act. You never lost your memories. You just got tired of me and wanted a neat excuse to shove me aside for your 'true love.'"

Lucio's eyes went black with rage. "Ada Bianchi, who gave you the nerve to slander me?"

He jabbed a finger toward Andre, sneering. "Or do you think latching onto the Costa guy means you're untouchable? Dream on. The Della Vera contract is about to be signed! When the Rossi family becomes the most powerful in Ritelle, you'll regret this day. That man of yours isn't even fit to shine my shoes!"

Andre's jaw tightened, but his upbringing kept him silent.

Camilla, emboldened, lifted her chin. "Ada, if you apologize now, maybe we'll let you stay on as a maid. Lucio's about to reach heights you'll never touch, and you-"

Just then, a sharp ringtone cut through her gloating.

Lucio frowned, glancing at the caller ID. It was the Della Vera family's chief contact.

He answered immediately, tense and expectant. "Hello? I'm-"

"Lucio Rossi!" a furious male voice roared so loudly, everyone nearby could hear even without a speakerphone. "What the hell are you playing at? Don Della Vera is livid!"

Lucio's heart lurched. "What do you mean? The deal-"

"Deal, my ass!" the man snapped. "Don Della Vera says he only acknowledges Ada Rossi! And that idiot you sent, Camilla? Even the dogs at our estate can't stand her!"

Camilla went white as chalk.

"And I'll quote him directly-" the voice turned icy, "Tomorrow, Ada herself better sign the deal, or every last member of your family will be fed to the sharks."