Bankrupting My Two-Faced CEO

For five years, I was with Julian, Wall Street's golden boy. Every anniversary, I’d secretly hope he would finally get down on one knee — but he never did.

Every single time, he’d press a tender, apologetic kiss to my lips. "Baby, let's wait until the IPO. I want to give you the biggest wedding imaginable. Just wait a little longer for me, okay?"

And I’d nod, swallowing the ache, year after year.

.Finally, His company went public and landed a huge deal with the Castello family—the most powerful syndicate in the country. I was certain he’d finally propose.

Instead, I found a trust fund document. There, right under the "Legal Spouse" line, was a name: Caroline. The widow of Julian’s late brother.

When I called to confront him, his response was utterly callous.

"I promised my brother I'd take care of Caroline and his son, Noah. The boy needs a father, Alessia. That's the only reason I married her. We have a deal—we'll divorce as soon as Noah turns eighteen."

"You should be more understanding of how hard it is for Caroline to raise a child alone. Don't be so unreasonable, alright?"

I didn't lose my temper. I just calmly replied:

"No need. I’m not interested in sloppy seconds."

What he didn't know was that I am the daughter of the Castello family's Don.

I made a call to my father. "Dad.I'm ready to come home and take over the family business. I will personally attend the signing ceremony with Obsidian Group in three days."

I was going to make Julian taste absolute despair.

The second I hung up, I fired off my resignation letter and walked straight out of the corporate building.

A second later, my phone buzzed. It was Julian.

Curious to hear what kind of bullshit he’d spin next, I picked up.

His low, disapproving voice came through the speaker immediately.

"I saw your resignation. You're acting entirely too impulsive, Alessia."

"Do you have any idea what you just did? Your little interrogation terrified Caroline. She’s in tears, threatening to pack up and leave with Noah. You scared the kid half to death, too."

Right on cue, I heard Caroline’s fragile, muffled sobs in the background, followed by Noah’s loud wailing.

"Bad lady! Why are you kicking me and Mommy out? This is my house! I don't want that bad lady here!"

"Alessia, please, just blame me," Caroline wept. "Don't fight with Julian over this..."

Then came Julian’s voice, dropping into a sickeningly gentle tone meant only for them. "I'm right here. Nobody is making you leave."

His tone shifted back to me, cold and demanding. " Alessia, apologize to them."

I didn't say a single word. I just hung up the phone and stepped out onto the sidewalk.

Memories from the past five years flashed through my mind like a bad joke.

Five years ago, Julian’s company was on the verge of bankruptcy. I couldn't bear to see his talent go to waste. So, I