Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN HE CHOSE
Three months later, Evelyn stood inside the Moretti mansion.
She had returned.
Not because of money.
Not because of the Sterling family.
Not because of the Moretti name.
Because she had finally chosen her own life.
Julian had recovered.
Vivian survived.
She confessed everything and began rebuilding her life away from both families.
Dante stood beside Evelyn on the balcony.
“I have something for you.”
He opened his hand.
The old silver bracelet lay inside.
Evelyn stared at it.
“You kept it?”
“I've kept it for seventeen years.”
He placed it around her wrist.
“I spent half my life searching for the girl who saved me.”
Evelyn smiled sadly.
“And you almost married her sister.”
“I know.”
“You hurt me.”
“I know.”
“You may hurt me again.”
“I might.”
She looked at him.
“But I'll never lie to you again.”
Dante pulled a small box from his pocket.
Evelyn's eyes widened.
“No.”
He laughed softly.
“You haven't even opened it.”
“I know what it is.”
“Then say yes.”
She opened it.
Inside was a simple ring.
No diamonds.
No family crest.
No political meaning.
Just a ring.
Dante lowered himself onto one knee.
“I don't want a contract.”
“I don't want an alliance.”
“I don't want a family empire.”
“I want you.”
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
“You're still terrifying.”
“I know.”
“Still arrogant.”
“Yes.”
“Still dangerous.”
“Absolutely.”
She laughed.
Then held out her hand.
“Yes.”
Dante slipped the ring onto her finger.
For the first time, there were no lies between them.
But just as they kissed, Julian appeared at the doorway.
His expression was serious.
“Evelyn.”
She turned.
“What?”
Julian held an envelope.
“We found this in Father's private vault.”
“What is it?”
Julian handed it to her.
The envelope had been sealed for twenty-five years.
On the front were six words:
TO MY DAUGHTER, EVELYN MORETTI.
Evelyn's blood ran cold.
She opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
A photograph of her mother…
standing beside a man Evelyn had never seen before.
Dante took the photograph.
His face changed.
“That's impossible.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Who is he?”
Dante stared at the man.
“The founder of the Black Circle.”
Julian's voice dropped.
“The man who disappeared twenty-five years ago.”
Evelyn's heart pounded.
“Why would my mother be with him?”
Dante turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten message.
He is not dead.
Below it was a second sentence.
And he has been watching Evelyn her entire life.
Evelyn slowly looked toward the dark city outside.
Somewhere beyond the lights…
someone was watching.
May you like
And the $200 million marriage that had begun as a cruel exchange…
had just awakened a war far more dangerous than either family had ever known.
