HIS FIANCÉE BETRAYED HIM IN FRONT OF EVERYONE—SO THE MAFIA BOSS MARRIED THE POOR MAID INSTEAD

The next morning, Boston's newspapers carried photographs of the interrupted wedding.

Some called Casper a criminal. Others described Cordelia as a traitor. Every news outlet repeated the astonishing claim that Isabella Falcone had returned from the dead.

The city wanted a scandal.

Casper wanted answers.

At eight, he met with his lawyers in the mansion's study.

The evidence Cordelia had presented could not simply be dismissed. Even if some documents were fabricated, others revealed genuine financial irregularities within the port system.

The board controlling the Eastern Port System had suspended its decision pending an independent investigation.

August had lost control of the family narrative.

Casper had lost control of nearly everything else.

"There's one way to prevent the Holloways from taking the ports," his senior attorney said. "The board must see a stable succession arrangement. If you marry into another recognized family, the alliance remains possible."

Casper stared at him.

"You want me to find another bride in twenty-four hours?"

"No. But the board's charter recognizes a legal spouse as an immediate family successor in certain circumstances. If you enter a valid marriage before the emergency vote, your position could be preserved."

"To whom?"

The attorney hesitated.

"Anyone you choose, provided the marriage is lawful and properly registered."

Casper dismissed the lawyers.

He found Willow in the kitchen, preparing tea for Winnie.

She had returned to the mansion because the hospital was conducting tests and she needed access to Winnie's records. Prudence had insisted on arranging a proper room for her, but Willow still wore her work uniform.

Casper stood in the doorway.

"I need to ask you something."

She placed the kettle down.

"All right."

"Will you marry me?"

The room became silent.

Willow stared at him.

Then she laughed once, certain she had misunderstood.

"That's not funny."

"I'm not joking."

"You barely know me."

"I know you returned documents worth millions without looking at them. I know you work fourteen-hour shifts and send nearly everything you earn to your sister. I know you refuse money because you don't want anyone to own you."

He paused.

"And I know you're the only person in this house who hasn't asked me for something."

Willow's expression tightened.

"You're asking me to marry you because of the port system."

"Partly."

"Partly?"

"I won't lie to you. A marriage would protect my position and prevent the Holloways from exploiting the current crisis."

She took a step backward.

"Then ask someone who wants your money."

"I don't want a woman who wants my money."

"That isn't a reason to marry me."

"No," he admitted. "It isn't."

For the first time, Casper seemed uncertain.

He removed a document from his jacket.

"The marriage would give you legal and financial protection. Your sister would receive the best medical care available. You could leave whenever you wanted, and I would never interfere with your independence."

Willow looked at the document.

"And what would you get?"

"A wife."

She shook her head.

"You would get a person everyone could accuse of manipulating you."

"Let them."

"You would be putting me in danger."

"You're already in danger."

She looked toward the hospital folder on the counter.

Winnie's surgical deposit had been paid, but her condition remained fragile. The doctors were discussing the possibility of an operation within days.

Willow could not pretend money was unimportant.

But she could not accept a marriage that treated her as another document in Casper's business dealings.

"One condition," she said.

He waited.

"You tell me the truth. Even when it makes you look bad. Even when it hurts. No more decisions about my life without asking me."

Casper nodded.

"Agreed."

"And Winnie comes first."

"Agreed."

"And I can walk away if I discover you've lied to me."

He held her gaze.

"Agreed."

Willow looked down at her hands.

Then she asked the question that mattered most.

"Do you actually want to marry me, Casper?"

He had no polished answer.

He could have spoken about duty, strategy, or protection.

Instead, he told her the truth.

"I don't know what I want yet. But I know I don't want you to disappear from my life."

Willow looked at him for a long moment.

Then she agreed.

They were married that afternoon in a small civil ceremony attended by two witnesses, their attorney, and Prudence Hale.

There were no flowers, no music, and no guests in expensive gowns.

Willow wore a simple blue dress Prudence had found in the mansion's storage room.

Casper wore the same black suit he had worn the previous day.

When the officiant asked whether Willow accepted Casper as her husband, her voice trembled.

"I do."

Casper looked at her.

"I do."

The marriage certificate was signed at 3:42 p.m.

For the first time in his life, Casper Falcone had entered a marriage without an alliance contract specifying the value of each family involved.

He had no idea whether the decision would save his empire or destroy it.

But when Willow reached for his hand outside the courthouse, he held it gently.

At the hospital, Winnie greeted them with an enormous smile.

"You're married?"

Willow nodded.

Winnie looked at Casper.

"Does that mean you're my brother-in-law?"

"If that's what you'd like."

The girl considered him.

"Then you have to promise not to make my sister cry."

Casper looked at Willow.

"I'll do my best."

"That's not a promise."

He smiled faintly.

"I promise."

For a brief moment, Willow felt something she had almost forgotten.

Hope.

That evening, the hospital confirmed that Winnie's surgical team had found an opening for an operation in three days.

Willow cried with relief.

Casper stood beside her until she could speak again.

Then the surgeon entered carrying a folder.

"There's something we need to clarify before we proceed."

Willow wiped her face.

"What is it?"

The surgeon looked toward Casper.

"Someone contacted the hospital claiming to be the legal guardian of Winnie Reed. They submitted a document requesting that the operation be canceled."

"Who?" Willow demanded.

The surgeon opened the folder.

The signature belonged to Casper Falcone.