TAKE A PICTURE OF US, DIANE. I WANT TO REMEMBER THE NIGHT HE FINALLY CHOSE ME.” THE MAFIA BOSS'S MISTRESS HANDED HIS WIFE A PHONE IN THEIR OWN LIVING ROOM—BUT WHEN HER HUSBAND PUT HIS ARM AROUND THE YOUNGER WOMAN, HIS WIFE ASKED HIM TO DO ONE LAST THING

Six months passed. Autumn turned the Chicago trees to fire, and the bitter winds began to sweep off Lake Michigan.

My life had settled into a rhythm I hadn't known I was capable of maintaining. Tuesday mornings were for board meetings down at Pier 4. Thursdays were for baking with Leo. Weekends were mine alone.

I stood in the boardroom of O’Connor Logistics—my maiden name proudly emblazoned on the frosted glass doors.

Marcus sat at the end of the mahogany table, looking uncomfortable in a tailored suit rather than his usual leather jacket. I had made him head of security.

“The transition is complete, Susan,” Marcus rumbled, sliding a folder across the table. “The last of Vincent’s holding companies have been officially dissolved. The docks are entirely legitimate.”

“And the unions?” I asked, sipping my coffee.

“Happy. You gave them the dental plan Daniel always refused to sign off on.” Marcus offered a rare, faint smile. “You’re a better boss than he ever was.”

“I’m just a woman who reads the contracts before she signs them, Marcus.”

I closed the folder. The empire was secure.

As the meeting dispersed, my assistant poked her head into the room.

“Ms. O’Connor? There’s a woman here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment.”

I didn't need to ask who it was.

I walked out to the reception area. Victoria stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the gray waters of the lake. She was dressed simply today—jeans, a heavy wool coat, her blonde hair pulled back in a loose clip.

The diamond bracelet was gone.

She turned as I approached. We hadn't spoken since that night on the pier.

“Hello, Victoria,” I said evenly.

“Susan.” She looked around the pristine, corporate office. “You’ve done a lot with the place.”

“What do you want?”

She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. She set it gently on the reception desk.

“I’m leaving Chicago,” Victoria said, her voice quiet but steady. “Mark and Emily have agreed to take Leo for the school year. I’m moving back to New York to officially sever ties with my father. If I stay here, I’ll always be a Rossi, and I’ll always put Leo in danger.”

I looked at the velvet box. “What is this?”

“Daniel gave it to me on my birthday last year,” she said, looking down. “I tried to give it back to him, but he refused. He said he doesn't have the right to take things back anymore.”

She looked up, meeting my eyes.

“I was terrible to you, Susan. I was cruel, and arrogant, and I let my father use me to destroy your marriage. I can't undo that. But I can leave.”

I reached out and opened the box.

Inside sat a breathtaking sapphire necklace.

I recognized it instantly. It was the necklace Daniel had supposedly 'lost' during a trip to Paris three years ago. I had cried over it. He had held me and told me it was just jewelry.

I snapped the box shut.

“Take it with you,” I said, sliding it back across the desk.

Victoria looked shocked. “Susan, it’s yours. He bought it with your money.”

“I don't want it,” I said firmly. “Sell it. Use the money to set up a trust for Leo in New York. The boy deserves a clean slate.”

Victoria’s eyes filled with tears. She nodded slowly, slipping the box back into her pocket.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

She turned to walk toward the elevators. But before she pressed the button, she stopped and looked back.