Chapter 3 — The Truth Behind the Betrayal
Rain covered Chicago the next morning.
Savannah sat across from Luca inside a quiet café overlooking the river.
Neither spoke for several minutes.
Finally she asked,
"Did you know what was going to happen?"
"I knew your engagement wouldn't survive."
She stared at him.
"You knew Adrian was cheating?"
"I knew he was desperate."
Luca slid another folder across the table.
Inside were bank transfers.
Secret contracts.
Emails.
One document carried Adrian's signature.
Another carried Gerald's.
Savannah's heartbeat slowed.
Not because she was surprised.
Because everything finally made sense.
Gerald had accumulated enormous hidden debt after years of failed investments.
The Voss family had agreed to absorb those debts.
In exchange...
Adrian would marry Savannah.
The marriage wasn't about love.
It was collateral.
When Adrian began seeing Piper, the arrangement became inconvenient.
Replacing one daughter with another was easier than admitting the financial agreement had collapsed.
Savannah closed the folder.
"So I was never the bride."
Luca answered honestly.
"You were the payment."
Silence settled between them.
Then Luca added,
"I don't collect innocent people."
She looked at him for the first time without anger.
"Then why did you let me kiss you?"
A rare smile crossed his face.
"You made the first move."
May you like
For the first time in days...
Savannah laughed.
