Chapter 4

Following Clara's instructions, Elena unlocked the Vieri syndicate's encrypted communication network, where soldiers, captains, and trusted associates exchanged intelligence almost as quickly as rumors.

The first post that appeared on her screen had been uploaded by Celeste.

No matter how far life takes me, my heart will always find its way back to you.

Attached beneath the caption was a short video.

Sebastian stood inside the kitchen of the neighboring estate, his sleeves rolled to his forearms as he prepared a bowl of herbal soup himself. It was an ordinary moment, but anyone who knew the Don of the Vieri family understood how extraordinary it really was. Sebastian never cooked. He barely had time to sit down for a proper meal, let alone spend an afternoon caring for someone with his own hands.

The comments multiplied by the second.

Some congratulated them, saying the city's most admired couple had finally found their way back to each other.

Others were even crueler.

They claimed Elena had only become Mrs. Vieri because Celeste had disappeared years ago. Now that Celeste was back and Sebastian had chosen to stand beside her again, they called it fate correcting a mistake that should never have happened.

A few even described it as justice.

As though Elena's heartbreak were something to celebrate.

She read every message in silence, her expression never changing.

Only Clara's voice broke through the stillness.

"Elena," she asked carefully, "what's going on? Did you and Don Sebastian separate?"

After a long pause, Elena managed a faint smile.

"Not yet."

"Then why is he spending every waking minute with her?" Clara demanded, unable to hide the anger in her voice.

Elena let out a quiet laugh that sounded far more tired than amused.

"Easy," she said. "I was actually about to invite you to dinner before you called."

"Are you still at the estate?"

"I am."

"Good. Stay there. I'll pick you up."

"I'd like that," Elena replied softly. "I don't feel like going out alone tonight."

**

Clara arrived less than half an hour later.

By then, Elena had showered, changed into a simple black dress, and braided her hair. They left the Vieri compound together and drove into the old quarter, where an aging restaurateur who had served three generations of mafia families still ran a quiet Italian restaurant tucked away from the city's busiest streets.

It had always been one of the few places where Elena could breathe.

Their meals had barely arrived when Elena finally spoke.

"Clara... I need the name of a lawyer who specializes in family agreements between syndicates."

Clara looked up in confusion.

"What for?"

Elena wrapped both hands around her teacup.

"I've decided to divorce Sebastian."

The color drained from Clara's face.

Before she could ask another question, Elena continued.

"The specialist found something during my examination. The poison has already spread farther than they expected. If the treatment doesn't work..." She paused briefly. "I may not survive it."

Clara's eyes filled with tears almost instantly.

"When did you find out?"

"The same day Celeste was attacked."

Elena lowered her gaze.

"The procedure required my husband's written authorization before they could begin. I called Sebastian, but by then he'd already left for Celeste."

She spoke without bitterness, almost as though she were recounting someone else's story.

"If I have to undergo treatment, I'd rather do it back home with my family."

Clara reached across the table and grabbed her hand.

"You can forget about Sebastian," she said through trembling breaths. "You're not going through this alone. If you're leaving, I'm coming with you."

Elena smiled gently before squeezing her friend's hand.

"I'll be alright."

Her words sounded calm.

Neither of them believed them.

**

When Elena returned to the Vieri estate later that evening, Sebastian was waiting in the living room.

He looked up from the documents in his hands.

"Where were you?"

"I had dinner with Clara."

She removed her coat, handed it to one of the house staff, and sat across from him.

After a brief silence, she met his eyes.

"Sebastian... do you remember that trip to Sicily we always said we'd take together?"

Years ago, shortly after they married, they had promised to visit the village where the Vieri family had first begun building its empire. It was meant to be their first real vacation away from negotiations, shootings, and endless obligations.

Every year, something had gotten in the way.

Sebastian leaned back in his chair.

"You still remember that?"

"I do."

He was quiet for a moment before shaking his head.

"Celeste still isn't well enough for me to leave the city. Until the people behind the ambush are dealt with, I won't be going anywhere. Maybe after everything settles down."

Elena had expected that answer.

Once, even that small promise would have been enough to make her happy. She would have spent weeks planning the itinerary, choosing hotels, and imagining the time they would finally spend together.

Now she simply nodded.

"Alright."

Nothing more.

Her calm acceptance left Sebastian with a strange sense of unease.

His gaze wandered across the living room before stopping above the marble fireplace.

A slight frown crossed his face.

"Our wedding portrait..." he said slowly. "Where did it go?"

Elena followed his eyes before answering with effortless composure.

"I took it down."

She looked at the empty wall for a moment before adding with a small smile,

"The frame needed cleaning. It had been collecting dust for a long time."