I remembered the file Maria had compiled for me.

Three years ago, the reason Isak and Julia never got together was because she'd met Sandro, a man with more power than Isak.

She'd left Isak for Sandro, spending three years in New York with him. The only reason she was back now was because Sandro's family wouldn't let him marry her. They'd had a huge fight, so she'd come running back to her ex, hoping Isak would marry her as a final 'fuck you' to Sandro.

After a long hesitation, I grabbed my car keys, the wound in my side throbbing.

I didn't know what I expected to see. Maybe I just needed to see him risk his life for another woman one last time. Maybe that would finally kill the last bit of hope I had left.

Russian Roulette. The cruelest duel. One bullet in a six-shooter. They take turns until someone's dead. Sandro was arrogant and brutal. Isak wouldn't stand a chance.

I had just reached the parking garage when a black Bentley blocked my path. Julia got out, that sickeningly smug smile on her face.

"Leona. Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"Move, Julia," I said, trying to get to my car.

"Going to save your husband?" she scoffed. "You think he needs saving?"

I stopped. "What do you mean?"

"When Isak accepted the challenge, do you know what he said?" Julia lit a slim cigar. "He said, 'For Julia, I'd do anything.'"

"He's insane. Sandro will kill him."

"Maybe," Julia said, blowing out a puff of smoke. "But that's love, Leona. Your husband is willing to die for another woman."

The words stabbed me in the chest.

"And you?" she continued. "You're what, still licking your wounds in a hospital?"

"You fucking bitch…" I clenched my fists.

"Easy, Leona. Just stating facts." Julia blocked my path. "Besides, I want to try a little experiment."

She plucked my phone from my hand and dialed Isak's number before I could react.

"Julia, what the—"

She held a finger to her lips, putting the call on speaker.

It rang a few times before he picked up.

"Leona?" Isak's voice was distant, muffled by the sound of a crowd.

Julia looked at me and nodded, prompting me to speak.

"Isak, I heard you're at the Calabria club…"

"I'm busy right now, Leona," he said, his tone impatient. "Whatever it is, we can talk when I get home."

Julia leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Tell him you were attacked. That you're dying."

I hesitated, but then I said it. "Isak, I was just attacked, and now…"

"What?" His voice sharpened. "Are you okay?"

My heart sped up. Maybe he did care.

"It's bad. I might need…"

"Leona, whatever's happening, you need to hang on," Isak cut me off. "But I really can't leave right now. There's something important I have to handle. Get to a hospital. I'll be there later."

Julia gave me a victorious smile.

"Isak, that game is dangerous, you can't…"

"Leona, I told you, I'm busy!" His voice was ragged with irritation. "God, you always call at the worst possible time. I'm hanging up. We'll talk later."

Click.

He hung up.

The air was still, the only sound the distant traffic.

Julia slowly handed my phone back. "Did you hear that, Leona? Your husband thinks your life is less important than his game for me."

I took the phone. It felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

"This is reality," Julia said, patting my shoulder. "Isak chose to die for me, not to live for you."

I wanted to argue. I wanted to say he was just being impulsive, that he still loved me somewhere deep down. But the phone call said it all.

Between "Leona is in mortal danger" and "Russian Roulette for Julia," he didn't hesitate.

My hand, which had been raised to argue, fell limply to my side. I looked at Julia's triumphant face and whispered, "You win."

The air in the Calabria family's underground club was thick with the smell of whiskey and blood.

I pushed through the crowd and saw the circle of shouting men. In the center, Isak and Sandro sat face to face, a silver revolver on the table between them.

"The rules are simple," Sandro said, toying with the gun. "Six chambers, one bullet. We take turns until one of us is dead."

The crowd roared.

First round. Sandro put the gun to his own temple and pulled the trigger.

Click. An empty chamber.

He pushed the gun toward Isak, a taunting smile on his face. "Your turn."

Isak's hand was shaking. He picked up the gun, hesitating before pulling the trigger.

Click. Another empty chamber.

The second round, third, fourth… all empty.

With the crowd jeering, Isak was losing his grip.

On the fifth round, Sandro looked relaxed. "Two chances left. You sure you want to keep going?"

Isak took a deep breath, said nothing, and raised the gun to his own temple.

Then, locking eyes with Sandro, he yelled, "I TOLD YOU, FOR JULIA, I'D DO ANYTHING!"

Click. Empty.

The crowd went silent.

Isak opened his eyes, a wild look in them. He stared at Sandro. "Your turn. Fold, or die."

For the first time, fear showed on Sandro's face.

After a full minute, Sandro lowered his hands.

"I fold."

The room erupted. Isak had won.

He looked at Julia with a sick, possessive hunger. "Julia, I did it! I did it for you!"

Julia went to him, wrapping him in a hug and whispering in his ear. Isak grinned like a child who'd just been given candy.

I watched it all from the shadows, feeling something inside me break for good.

I slipped out of the club. On the street, I booked a one-way ticket to Montana.

Finally... it's really over.

It was eleven at night when I got back to the villa. I thought Isak would still be out celebrating, but he was home, waiting in the living room.

"Leona, where have you been?" he asked, standing up. His face was still flushed with excitement.

"Just out for a walk," I said, taking off my coat and avoiding his eyes.

"You don't seem right." He moved to hug me, but I stepped aside.

Isak froze. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm tired."

"Leona…" He tried to kiss me, his hands going to my neck.

I pushed him away.

A flicker of hurt crossed his face. "Leona, I know you're mad, but today I had to…"

"My wounds hurt. I'm not in the mood."

"I have a surprise for you tomorrow. Just give me one more chance, okay?"

I didn't answer. I just walked into the bathroom.

The next evening, I put on the dress he’d sent and went.

I should at least give this relationship a proper ending, I thought.

Isak showed up in a white suit, his hair perfectly styled, the pen I gave him for our wedding tucked in his breast pocket.

He drove me to the top of the tallest skyscraper in the city. The entire roof was a private restaurant. Candles flickered, rose petals were scattered on the floor, and the city lights glittered below.

"When did you plan all this?" I asked.

"Yesterday," Isak said, taking my hand. "Leona, I know I've let you down, but I want you to know, you are my wife. That will never change."

A sarcastic smile touched my lips.

He had no idea.

He pulled out my chair and poured me a glass of wine. A 1982 Lafite, my favorite.

"Remember our first date, three years ago?" he asked, his eyes soft with nostalgia. "You were so nervous you could barely speak."

I remembered. I still believed in fantasies back then.

"I walked you back to your dorm and stood at the door for half an hour, too scared to kiss you," he laughed. "In the end, you were the one who kissed me first."

As he spoke, fireworks began to explode, painting the night sky.

"Surprised?" Isak asked, taking my hand. "I arranged a private fireworks show just for you."

I pulled my hand away. "Isak, I need to tell you…"

Just as I was about to speak, the elevator doors opened.

Julia stepped out, an innocent smile on her face.

"Did you enjoy everything I planned for you tonight, Leona?"

She planned it?

I stared at Isak.

He looked deeply uncomfortable.

"Isak said you've been upset, so I suggested this. It looks like you're enjoying it, right?"

"I booked the restaurant," Julia said, gesturing around. "The candlelight was my idea. The '82 Lafite was my choice. And the fireworks…" She paused, looking right at me. "I paid for those, too."

I felt like I'd been hit by a truck.

"Julia was just trying to help us make up, don't overthink it…" Isak was still trying to explain.

I didn't want to hear it.

I shattered my wine glass on the floor, gave Isak one last look, and turned to leave.

So much for a clean break.

Down on the street, I got a text from Julia:

"I just wanted you to know that even your last romantic moment was a charity case from me. How does it feel, Leona? To need my pity even to feel loved?"

I ignored the sting in my heart and blocked her number.

The next day was Isak's birthday.

I went back to the empty villa and placed the signed divorce papers in a beautiful gift box, tying it with a ribbon.

As for his gifts, I'd already sold them. No point in letting good money go to waste.

Toni looked at my suitcase, hesitating.

"Ma'am, are you really leaving?"

"Yes," I said, handing him the box. "Get this to Isak. Tell him it's his birthday present."

"What if he asks where you are?"

"Tell him the answer is in the box."

On the way to the airport, our car passed another. Through the window, I saw Isak. He was dressed for his party, rushing home, probably to the celebration Julia had prepared.

We missed each other, just like we had for the last three years.

(Isak's POV)

Isak got back to the villa, and Toni handed him the gift box.

"Your wife left this for you. She said it was for your birthday."

Isak looked at the elegant wrapping, a complicated expression on his face. But he glanced at the time, decided he was late, and took the box with him to the party without opening it.

The party was in full swing. Julia was waiting for him. She saw the box in his hand and smiled, but said nothing.

"Friends!" Julia took the microphone, stepping into the spotlight. "I have two big announcements tonight!" Her voice boomed through the hall.

Isak stood beside her, still clutching the unopened gift, a polite smile fixed on his face.

"First," Julia said, glancing at Isak, "congratulations to our handsome Isak, who has officially dissolved his marriage and is a free man again!"

What?

Isak's smile froze. His eyes shot down to the box in his hands, his heart starting to hammer against his ribs.

A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd.

"And for my second announcement," Julia said, holding up a hand to show off a massive diamond ring, "after everything we've been through, Isak and I are finally getting married!"

Many of the guests were old friends. The room exploded with cheers and applause. All eyes were on Isak, waiting for him to respond.

Isak's mind was blank. Leona's gift felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

He wanted to scream no, to explain it was all a mistake, to run. But with hundreds of eyes on him, with Julia’s expectant gaze burning into him, he could only manage a stiff, jerky nod.

"I… I'm honored."

The room erupted in another round of thunderous applause.