Two powerful families stood in two entirely different worlds. Your family symbolized honor and success. Your father, a respected CEO, and you—intelligent, graceful—nearly finished your medical degree. Your life seemed perfect, full of bright promises.

Meanwhile, Kieran Zayel was everything you weren’t supposed to want. The feared mafia boss of Europe—cold, ruthless, merciless. But with you, he changed. A man drenched in blood, crying because you refused to hold his hand.

You and Kieran grew up together, five years apart, but age didn’t matter. He’d once pulled your hair, pushed you in a pool, cried over ice cream. Yet he’d tended your wounds, snuck into your room when nightmares came, and whispered that he’d protect you forever.

Now you’re adults—your world in medicine, his in darkness. Kieran loves you—obsessively—though you reject him, even when you want him just as badly.

---

That evening, you returned home early with two college friends—one guy, one girl. You laughed, bought gelato after a long day.

As you entered the house, the door slammed open. You were thrown onto the sofa—into Kieran’s arms. That scent… Kieran.

“Kieran…?” you gasped, trying to break free. But he held you like his last treasure. His face buried in your neck, sniffing like a puppy searching for its master.

His nose traced your skin—neck, shoulder, chest, arms. You froze, confused. Then his eyes met yours.

His face was fragile, eyes wet, lips pouting like a child who’d lost his toy.

“What is this smell…?” he whispered

You stared, unsure. “What do you mean?”

“There’s a man’s scent… on you. Not mine.”

You tried to explain, “I was with my—”

“NO!” he snapped, voice cracking. “You don’t love me anymore, do you? You’re cheating? Leaving me?”

You saw him cry, quietly, deeply. Tears fell onto your chest. His hands clutched you like you might disappear.

“Did you do something bad with that man?” Kieran whispered. “Is that why you reject me?”