CHAPTER 1

The Girl Nobody Wanted

“Nobody wants you here.”

Mave Sullivan had heard those words before.

From classmates.

From relatives.

From strangers.

But somehow, hearing them from her own sister still hurt.

The ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers. Expensive dresses sparkled beneath the golden lights. Laughter floated through the air alongside the scent of champagne and expensive perfume.

Mave felt completely out of place.

Her blue satin dress had been borrowed.

The shoes on her feet were three years old.

The tight corset dug painfully into her ribs every time she breathed.

Across from her stood Caroline Sullivan.

Beautiful.

Perfect.

The daughter everyone loved.

The daughter their father had spent years grooming for moments exactly like this.

Caroline slowly sipped her champagne.

Then smiled.

“You look pathetic standing there.”

Mave looked away.

“Then let me go home.”

Caroline laughed.

“Home? Tonight is the most important gala of the year.”

Her eyes drifted toward the crowd.

Toward the wealthy men.

Toward the powerful criminals.

Toward opportunity.

“The Rossi family is sending someone tonight.”

Mave immediately understood.

Of course.

That was why they were here.

Her father wanted Caroline to attract the attention of Leo Rossi.

The most powerful mafia boss in the city.

The man everyone feared.

The man nobody dared cross.

Caroline leaned closer.

“Just stay out of the way.”

Then her smile sharpened.

“You’re a stain on the upholstery.”

Mave swallowed hard.

Like always.

She said nothing.

Because arguing with Caroline was like arguing with a storm.

Pointless.

Painful.

And completely exhausting.

A few minutes later, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

The laughter died.

Conversations stopped.

Even the musicians hesitated.

The grand ballroom doors opened.

And silence swallowed the room.

Leo Rossi had arrived.

He didn’t announce himself.

He didn’t need to.

Power moved before him like an invisible force.

Every head turned.

Every conversation ended.

Every person watched.

Leo Rossi descended the staircase slowly.

Dark suit.

Broad shoulders.

Scar through one eyebrow.

Eyes that looked permanently tired.

Dangerous.

Controlled.

Unimpressed.

He scanned the room.

Not the women.

Not the businessmen.

Not the politicians.

He studied exits.

Corners.

Blind spots.

Threats.

Then his gaze stopped.

Directly on Mave.

Her stomach dropped.

No.

Not Caroline.

Not one of the wealthy socialites.

Her.

The forgotten daughter standing beside a marble pillar.

For one impossible moment, the entire ballroom disappeared.

Only those eyes remained.

Watching her.

Studying her.

Evaluating her.

Most people would have looked away.

Mave didn’t.

She was already the joke of the evening.

Already the poor girl.

Already the embarrassment.

So she lifted her chin and stared right back.

Something flickered in Leo Rossi’s eyes.

Then he started walking.

The crowd immediately parted.

People moved aside without being asked.

As if instinct told them to run.

Caroline noticed too.

Mave watched her sister straighten.

Adjust her posture.

Tilt her head perfectly.

Prepare her smile.

Victory already shining in her eyes.

Leo Rossi approached.

Closer.

Closer.

Closer.

Then—

He walked right past Caroline.

Didn’t stop.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t even glance at her.

Caroline’s smile froze.

Shock flooded her face.

The entire ballroom gasped.

And Leo Rossi continued walking.

Until he stood directly in front of Mave.

The room went silent.

She could hear her own heartbeat.

Could hear her own breathing.

Could feel hundreds of eyes staring.

Then Leo Rossi spoke.

His voice was low.

Rough.

Dangerously calm.

“You’re bleeding.”

Mave blinked.

“What?”

Without another word, he reached for her hand.

Gently.

Unexpectedly.

His rough fingers turned her palm upward.

A tiny bead of blood rested on her thumb.

From a thorn she had picked at all evening.

Leo pulled a dark handkerchief from his pocket.

Pressed it against her skin.

The room looked horrified.

Nobody understood what they were seeing.

Neither did Mave.

Because for the first time in years…

Someone had actually noticed her.

Not her dress.

Not her poverty.

Not her family.

Her.

And neither of them knew it yet…

But that single moment would change both of their lives forever.