Chapter 3

After finalizing the details of the rendezvous with Veronica, I walked back, only to overhear Katerina talking with her crew by the yacht.

"Godmother, Lucas's tuxedo has arrived. It's the bespoke one you bid on at the auction."

"But what if Sean throws a fit and exposes our hideout? We could all be taken down…"

Katerina shrugged it off. "I love Lucas, and I'll only marry him. Tomorrow's wedding must be peaceful. I won't allow any mishaps."

"Not even from Sean. I'll make sure he stays quiet."

"Also, keep your mouths shut. If I hear even a whisper, I'll feed you to the fish!"

Even though I'd already decided to leave, hearing the woman I once loved speak of deceiving me, reducing me to nothing, still left a searing pain in my chest.

Back in my room, I packed my things.

Aside from my passport and other documents, I looked at the room full of weapons and realized Katerina had never given me anything.

She'd only ever thrown weapons at me, telling me to protect her.

I'd once asked her for a watch or cufflinks, but she'd said:

"Sean, even with a Rolex, you won't look like you belong in high society. Don't waste good things."

Yet Lucas's luggage contained an entire carload of designer clothes and jewelry.

Why could he have it all, and I couldn't?

I rummaged through the closet, found my only decent suit buried deep within, put on dress shoes, and tidied my hair.

Just then, Lucas barged into my room without knocking.

"Sean, you saw the diary, right? The Godmother's favorite…"

His words caught in his throat. He stopped, staring at me, my freshly styled appearance making him pause.

When he recovered, he scowled, scoffing.

"I thought you'd at least have some dignity and leave when you realized the Godmother didn't love you."

"But you're still trying to get her attention? How shameless!"

He lunged at me, trying to grab me, but his movements were clumsy, and I easily blocked his hand.

"Sean! If you touch me, the Godmother will never let you get away with it!" Lucas shrieked.

I crossed my arms. "Thanks for the compliment. I certainly look better than you."

The next second, he dropped to his knees, slapping himself across the face.

"Mr. Murphy, I was wrong. I was clueless, wanting to marry the Godmother. Just please don't ruin the wedding, you can hit me however you want!"

Confused, I suddenly felt a powerful kick aiming at me.

"Sean! Are you deaf? How dare you lay a hand on Lucas!"

Katerina's furious kick. If it had connected, I'd have been seriously injured.

So, what exactly was I to her?

Just a loyal hound she kept? A punching bag to toss aside once she'd used me up?

I barely managed to dodge it, but my ankle twisted awkwardly, and I winced, forcing myself to look at her through the pain.

Katerina quickly helped Lucas up, her piercing gaze falling on me.

She looked at my appearance, her eyes softening ever so slightly, but her words remained ice cold.

"Sean, no matter how neatly you dress up, you won't ever be half as good as Lucas in my eyes."

Lucas sniffled, holding Katerina's hand.

"Godmother, Mr. Murphy forced it out of me. I couldn't keep the secret. I'm so sorry…"

Katerina pulled him into a hug, her voice softening. "It's just a small thing, darling. No one blames you."

I gave a bitter laugh.

Only moments ago, she'd ordered her crew to guard the wedding details like state secrets, but once Lucas spilled the beans, it was suddenly "no big deal."

He was utterly fearless around her, completely spoiled rotten.

And me? Was I just a fool?

"So you're really marrying him?" I drilled my eyes into Katerina.

I desperately wanted to know how she'd explain herself.

I'd expected her to at least feel guilty, to panic, to beg me to let go of the past and accept their union.

But Katerina merely frowned, unfazed.

"Yes, the wedding is tomorrow. You're allowed to attend, but don't cause any trouble. Sean, don't force me to deal with you."

In that instant, my last shred of hope for Katerina shattered.

It wasn't that it wasn't the right time for marriage, it was just not the right time with me.

When it came to Lucas, all the talk of tight situations and being under siege was no longer an obstacle.

She could even condescendingly invite me to their wedding, completely unconcerned.

How could a person be so heartless?

I fought back the burning in my eyes, gritting my teeth. "Get out…"

But Lucas pushed his luck.

"Godmother, I don't know many people here. I'd love for Mr. Murphy to be our groomsman, but I'm afraid to offend him…"

Seeing her beloved beg so cautiously, Katerina's expression softened. She turned to me.

"Sean, since you already know we're getting married, being a groomsman shouldn't be a big deal, right? You won't mind?"

"I don't want to see either of you! Get out!"

My fury finally erupted. I grabbed the baseball bat from the corner and chased them out the door.

"Get out!"

Slamming the door shut, I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.

As I struggled, my phone screen suddenly lit up. It was a message from Veronica.