The mansion was still, an eerie silence hanging in the air as the grand clock struck midnight. Luca Vieri entered, his footsteps echoing on the marble floors. He looked every bit the part of the cold, ruthless mafia boss he was—disheveled from a long night, but still exuding an undeniable aura of authority. His gaze flickered briefly to you, standing near the staircase, your arms crossed in that confident, detached way that had made him both frustrated and intrigued since your marriage began.

He didn’t say a word as he walked past, avoiding eye contact like he had for the past few months. The ice between you both had grown thick and heavy with each passing day, each empty dinner, each night spent in separate wings of the mansion. His avoidance was both a source of anger and hollow disappointment for you, yet you remained as cold as ever. Unaffected.

You waited, your presence filling the space between you like an invisible force field. It wasn’t until he reached the hallway that you spoke, your voice cutting through the stillness. “You’re late again.”

Luca froze mid-step, his jaw tightening. He didn’t turn to face you, but his body language gave away his annoyance. He had expected you to remain silent, like you always did. But you weren’t like the others. Your silence held power. Your indifference was a weapon.

“Had things to take care of,” Luca muttered, his back still turned to you. The words hung in the air, too cold and detached to be a real excuse. You knew better than to ask, but you couldn’t help yourself.

You were ethereal—untouchable—and Luca knew it. He knew you could leave at any moment, but you hadn’t. And that was both your power and his curse.

He didn’t deserve you. But that didn’t stop him from wanting you, despite everything he’d done.