Our Separated Ways

I had been with Lars Carter for six years.

The head of Midas Capital in Eastwind City, he was a rising star in Riverton's Silver Street—the heart of this nation's financial world.

Few knew his true roots. Within him flowed the Vitalus bloodline. Lars descended from an old mafia clan from the city of Virgil in Vitalus, the Viktors.

Midas Capital was ours. We built it from the ground up together; Lars would haunt private clubs, ironing out business deals amid drinks. I would stay by his side, doing the accounts, steering the direction of the negotiations, and memorizing every detail of the high-stakes contracts.

We did everything together—a tight team.

Or so I thought. In my naivete, I was convinced I would rule the city alongside him. The woman behind the man, so to speak.

…Until Pearl Ross arrived two months ago.

His childhood sweetheart moved from Virgil to Eastwind City. It was then that I knew—she was the one he was waiting for all along. It had always been her.

"Lars, I want to get married."

Lars' face tightened; hesitation veiled in businesslike concern. "Bianca, you know the company's at a critical stage… We're mid-fundraising. I can't right now."

I smiled, calm and composed. "That's fine."

He misunderstood.

I was getting married—just not to him.

"Mom, please tell Grandpa that I'm willing to go through with the arranged marriage."

My mother, Ellena, was stunned to hear it.

"What did you say? Wait… What about your boyfriend? The one you've been with for six years?"

"We're done," I said with calm finality. "Have Grandpa arrange the marriage."

My mother went quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Then…

"What's the meaning of this, Bianca? I know Grandpa worked hard to find Royce Farrell for you. He's the executive director and CEO of Radar Finance, and one of the world's most powerful heirs. An excellent man, I'm sure, but when it comes to marriage... I hope you're not rushing into things."

"I'm not being impulsive," I insisted, though my tone was frosty. "Please arrange it, Mom."

When I called my younger brother yesterday, he accidentally let the secret slip. Our family had suffered a major loss in a Biscayne real estate deal, and our cash flow was going into the negative.

An arranged marriage was the safest way out.

In the past, I turned my back on my family for Lars Carter. The me from back then would have never agreed to an arranged marriage. What a fool I was!

But now, that fool is dead.

Lars, the love of my life. The CEO of Midas Capital, he controlled a plethora of investment funds, several arms dealings, and crypto asset platforms. He was a major player in Eastwind City's financial world, mysterious and dangerous.

Few knew he was the heir of the Viktors, an old mafia clan from the city of Virgil in Vitalus.

For six years, I fought by his side and watched him rise from nothing.