Chapter 2

I was about to arrange a speedboat to leave the island when Katerina tracked me down.

"A critical shipment is arriving the day after tomorrow. You'll need to personally dispatch some of your guys to handle the reception. And clear out your house, I need it!"

She commanded in a stern, low voice, but all I felt was a bitter amusement.

To marry Lucas, she truly didn't care if I lived or died. Even if it meant Veronica striking at her stronghold, she'd still send me to risk my life to bring that pretty boy back. She really was crazy in love, wasn't she?

Need my house? Wouldn't that be for Lucas to live in?

I coldly grunted in response.

Seeing my flat reaction, Katerina frowned in annoyance.

"What's with the attitude? We haven't gone public with our relationship because the situation is unstable. Veronica is watching closely, and I can't let my crew drop their guard just for you."

"Right now, your most important task is to help me escape Veronica's siege."

Katerina always treated me this way.

I used to think it was her way of protecting me, so I fought tooth and nail, strategizing and negotiating tirelessly for her. But now, it all just felt absurd.

I placed the speedboat dispatch order in front of her. "No attitude. I'm used to it."

Katerina sensed something was off. A flicker of impatience crossed her eyes, and her pen even tore through the paper as she signed.

"Sean! What's with the sour face again? All I'm asking for is your house! Everything on this island belongs to me, Sean. Even your life. So what makes you think I can't boss you around?"

She tossed the paper in my face. "From now on, don't bother me with trivial matters like island procurement. I don't have time for you…"

Knowing she'd misunderstood, I didn't explain.

I gave a perfunctory nod, then pushed open the door and left. Looking at the speedboat that would soon be mine, I smiled, a sense of relief washing over me.

I'd been with Katerina in this criminal enterprise for ten years.

We grew up together, partners I trusted with my life, and even the most intimate of lovers.

I'd always dreamed of marrying her. She’d even hinted that once she controlled the entire East Coast, she'd give me what I wanted.

But now, I finally realized the truth.

It was just my delusional fantasy, and her lie, woven from her exploitation of my feelings.

Now, she was marrying someone else.

That evening, a squad of heavily armed mercenaries escorted Lucas onto the island.

He wore a white tuxedo, his seemingly innocent eyes brimming with smug triumph.

"Mr. Murphy has worked hard for the Godmother for over a decade. He's earned his stripes."

"I'll definitely get her to promote you, and introduce you to a few more models. A gentleman's personal life shouldn't be neglected, right?"

"Unlike the Godmother, who can't wait another minute. She's marrying me tomorrow. Oh, it's just…"

I tightened my grip on the gun, barely suppressing the urge to blow his brains out.

"Let's go." I swept him with a cold glance and started to walk away.

But Lucas blocked me, pulling a diary from his bag. He gave me a sly grin.

"These are all the love notes the Godmother wrote about missing me over the years. It's too heavy for my bag, so would you mind tossing it for me, Mr. Murphy?"

With that, he strutted off. I faced the cold wind whipping against the rocks, my hands trembling as I opened the diary.

April 12, 2024: When I risked my life to get her out of that ambush, she wrote: "Lucas, if I survive this, I'll marry you."

August 5, 2023: When I found out Veronica had ambushed her during a business trip, I stormed the enemy camp alone with two pistols to rescue her.

She wrote: "Darling, you smell so good today."

January 24, 2021: When she was arrested by the police, and I decided to take the fall for her, she wrote:

"If it were you, I'd never let you suffer like this."

Every word in that diary was a knife twisting in my gut, a raw wound bleeding profusely as if my heart had been ripped out.

How many times had I begged Katerina to marry me? She would always kiss my forehead. "Sean, just wait for me."

"I have too many enemies. I'm afraid I haven't cleared enough obstacles for you. Once I control the entire East Coast, I'll marry you, okay?"

But countless times, my pleas were met with nothing but excuses.

Finally, a message popped up on my phone. Two short, powerful words that left no room for retreat.

"Deal!"

Tapping my phone screen, I still couldn't resist confirming a few things, so I asked the other side:

"August 5, 2023, you were the one who ambushed Katerina, right?"

The reply was instant, every word dripping with indignation:

"I'm totally innocent, damn it!"

"Seriously? So that's why you chased me for nine blocks with two pistols? It wasn't me, I swear!"

I scoffed at myself.

Turns out, Katerina saw me as nothing more than a clown, someone to be toyed with.

If that was the case, why should I stay here and let them laugh at me?