Aunt Jessica shrieked, "Are you seriously going against the Leone family?"

I shrugged. "I'm protecting what's mine. You don't get to twist the rules."

Eric hovered nearby, scowling. "Lena, don't push it."

I laughed, sharp and cold. "You and Briana drag me through the mud, sic thugs on me, trash my parents' heirloom—and I'm the problem?"

I pulled a USB from my bag, dropped it on the table.

"Last night's surveillance footage. Everything you did—caught in 4K."

Eric's head snapped up, face going ghost-white. He hadn't counted on me finding the footage he tried to erase.

I added, "Touch me, and this goes to every media outlet. Let's see how long you keep up the act."

Silence.

Uncle Novah opened his mouth—nothing came out.

I stood, slid the transfer docs to Briana. I'd given her those shares after our parents died, thinking she had no one.

"Sign it. Or see me in court."

Her hand shook, eyes glossy. "Lena, we are sisters—"

"Don't. We're not sisters." My voice sliced through the room. "You don't deserve that title."

She bit her lip and signed.

I scooped up the docs and headed for the door.

Right as I stepped out, I heard the whispers behind me.

"That girl's completely out of control."

***

Back home, my phone lit up.

Unknown number.

"Ms. Leone, I'm Shelby Santoro's assistant. He'd like to meet for lunch tomorrow. Says it's important."

Shelby?

Yeah, right. Like that was actually him.

Still... I paused—then said yes.

Might as well see what game they were playing now.

That night, I showed up at the restaurant like we agreed. The private suite door swung open—and yeah, my blood went ice cold.

Of course it was them. Eric and Briana.

They were all smug, like predators waiting on their kill.

"Lena, you came," Briana said, all fake sweet. "Oops, I told Eric's assistant to pretend he was Shelby's."

Eric leaned back, smug as hell.

"You made Briana sign those compensation papers today. She's upset. Now it's your turn."

He slapped a thick stack of papers on the table.

"Sign it. Waives your rights to everything—shares, property, all of it."

I glanced at the title: [Voluntary Renunciation of Inheritance.]

Let out a short laugh. "So we're doing forced now?"

Eric's face dropped cold. "You'll find out soon enough."

He clapped once.

Huge guys stepped out from behind the screen wall—built like tanks.

I faked a shaky breath, legs wobbling.

"Briana, don't! What are you doing?!"

Briana laughed so hard she nearly choked. "Weren't you all tough earlier? Here's the deal—let me slap you a few times, and maybe I'll let you go. Cool?"

I stepped toward her. Slow. Calm.

Right as I got close, I slipped a knife from my sleeve and pressed it to her throat.

"Lena! Are you insane?!" Eric shot up, face white with fury.

I didn't flinch. "Move."

Eric's hands twitched, but he didn't move.

I kept the blade steady, dragging Briana with me toward the door.

"What do you want?" he snapped, jaw tight.

"Easy," I said, chin lifted. "I walk out safe—and you both stay far away. At least until I marry Shelby."

"Fine! Fine, I promise!" He waved the bodyguards off, fast.

I backed out, Briana still in front of me. We made it through the corridor.

At the entrance, I shoved her straight into Eric's arms—then vanished into the night.

And just like they promised, they never came near me again.

Everything stayed chill... right up to the wedding.

The Leones and Santoros were buzzing from sunrise. Two weddings, one day? Total spectacle.

Carmorian tradition said the bride had to wear a lace veil until the private reveal. So, I kept mine on the whole time.

Right before I left the bridal suite, Eric texted:

[Lena, just follow the maid later. Don't worry, my brother won't be into you. I'll come get you first thing in the morning!]

I rolled my eyes and blocked him.

The bride swap went off without a hitch—exactly how Eric and Briana planned it.

That night, I sat on the edge of the bed, hands clammy, heart racing.

The door creaked open.

Footsteps. Calm, steady.

Fingers brushed back the lace veil.

***

Shelby.

No shock. No double take.

Just this quiet look—like he'd known it was me the whole time.

He let out a low chuckle. "Took you long enough."

I smirked. "Appreciate the help with the footage."

Shelby and I went way back.

Last time around, Briana bailed on the wedding, and Shelby got dragged through the mud.

Me? I married Eric. Ended up broken, beaten... dead.

Never did I learn what happened to Shelby.

Right after I came back, I reached out to him.

No hesitation—he helped me, no questions asked. That's when it hit me... maybe he actually liked me.

But if that was true, then why did he want to marry Briana at all?

While I was lost in thought, Shelby stepped closer, and I caught the sharp tang of alcohol.

"You've been drinking?" I glanced up.

"Everyone kept toasting." His jaw tightened, hands curling into fists. "Something's wrong."

Right then, his breathing went shaky.

His eyes flared—wild, burning. I jerked back.

"It was spiked."

My stomach sank. I didn't need proof—this had Briana written all over it.

"Lena." His voice dropped, rough and strained. "Don't look at me."

But I did.

Met his eyes, steady.

Then he kissed me.

Hard. Desperate. Like he was falling apart and I was the only thing holding him up.

His hands shook.

He was trying not to lose control.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissed him soft.

"It's okay," I breathed against his lips. "I want this."

His arms locked around me like he'd never let go.

"Okay."

***

After a long night wrapped up in each other, I was still curled against him when—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The pounding on the door yanked us both out of sleep.

"Open up! Open this door now!"