Chapter 3

Nicholas caught my wrist before I could leave.

"You won't take my money? What's that supposed to mean, Isabel? You want nothing to do with me?"

I looked down at his hand. "Let go."

"We spent seven years together."

"And you asked me to step aside for Vanessa. I did. You don't get to decide when I come back."

His grip loosened, and I pulled my arm free. He glanced at Vanessa, then lowered his voice, like he'd finally figured it out.

"If this is about the gala, you could've just said so. We're welcoming the Don in three days. I can take you."

"I don't need you to."

"You'd go as my guest. People would see you standing next to me again." He looked at my dress. "But you'll have to make an effort. I can't have you embarrassing me."

Once, I'd waited an entire evening for him to introduce me to the family's elders as his future wife. He'd told me the timing wasn't right.

Now he was offering an introduction like it could make up for everything.

"No, thank you."

Vanessa stepped closer. "Nicholas, you said you were taking me."

"I am." He tucked the check back into his jacket. "If Isabel would rather sulk, that's her choice."

"I won't let you down," she said, resting her hand on his arm.

He watched me while he kissed her forehead. I reached for my suitcase.

"Isabel. Think carefully before you walk away again."

"I did that five years ago."

This time, he didn't follow me.

Outside the terminal, I called Julian Ward, Sebastian's right hand, and asked for another car. While I waited, I opened my phone's camera. A red mark covered my cheek, and there was a small cut inside my lip.

I took pictures of both and sent them to Sebastian with an account of what had happened.

He called almost immediately.

"He hit you?"

"Yes. I'm outside now."

"Stay where you are. Our security team is coming to you."

"I'm not going back in there."

"Good. Let them take you to the family doctor. I'll deal with Nicholas."

His voice was controlled, but I knew him well enough to hear the anger underneath.

Nicholas had offered me money to make it disappear. Sebastian stayed on the line until his men arrived.

The doctor found nothing beyond the bruise and the cut. By the night of the gala, the mark on my cheek had faded, and the house jeweler had repaired the clasp on my necklace.

The Russos' hosting duties had been handed over to Crane's staff. Since arriving in Riverdale, Sebastian had been stuck in meetings with the local families, and he still hadn't had a chance to sit down with Nicholas. He meant to do it before the gala started.

"Do you want to be there for that?" he asked.

"Yes. I want to hear what he has to say in front of you."

Our son tugged at his sleeve, asking to be picked up. Sebastian lifted him, and I straightened the little jacket he'd insisted on wearing to match his father.

Three years ago, I'd left Riverdale with a suitcase and no idea where I was going. Marrying a man who kept his word hadn't erased what happened, but it had given me a life I wouldn't trade for the one I lost.

I kissed our son's cheek and went ahead with Julian while Sebastian took him to the restroom.

Inside the hall, Julian walked up to the dais to check our places. I'd barely taken another step when Nicholas spotted me.

"I knew you'd come." His gaze dropped to my necklace, then returned to my face. "You could've saved us both some trouble and taken me up on my invitation."

"I'm not here as your guest."

"Then whose guest are you?"

I kept walking toward the dais. He stepped into my path and pointed to a table near the front.

"Our seats are over there."

"Your seat is over there," I said. "Mine is next to the Don."

Nicholas looked at the two chairs in the center of the dais. For a moment, he couldn't seem to answer.

Then Vanessa joined him.

"Isabel, how did you even get in?"

"I was invited."

"By who?" Her eyes landed on the moonstone at my throat. "You're still wearing that fake?"

Her voice carried across the room. Guests stopped talking and turned to look.

Nicholas leaned in. "Take it off before someone from the Cranes sees you."

I looked past him at Crane's staff.

"Then, let them see it."