CHAPTER 6

The exam was… well, exactly how an exam should be—mentally draining and unnecessarily long. But at least I was done for the semester. No more late-night cramming, no more stress-induced migraines, and for the next four weeks, no professors breathing down my neck.

I should have been ecstatic about the break, but instead, my mind was consumed by something else.

My mother’s case.

I didn’t have the resources, nor did I have a solid plan, but I had time now. Time to dig deeper, to ask questions, to figure out what the police weren’t telling me. Maybe I was grasping at straws, but I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing.

I was pulled from my thoughts when someone suddenly called out to me.

“Hey.”

I jumped, startled. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

“Jesus Christ, you scared me,” I said, pressing a hand over my chest dramatically.

Elizabeth, my best friend, stood there with an amused smirk. “I’ve been calling you, but your head seems to be in the clouds.”

“Sorry,” I sighed, shaking my head. “My mind is all over the place.”

Elizabeth studied me for a moment, then leaned in slightly. “Does it have anything to do with that man?”

“Man?” I raised an eyebrow.

She tilted her head toward the parking lot. “I saw you getting out of his car. And not just any man—Heinrich. Weird, right? You and Heinrich, the mafia guy.”

I forced a casual shrug. “I got lucky. I was late, and he offered me a free ride.”

It was a lie, of course. I couldn’t exactly tell her the truth—that I was about to become his wife. That I was living in his house, wearing his clothes, and getting far too used to his presence.

Elizabeth didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push. “Well, that’s odd,” she said, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Anyway, be careful. I heard he never lets a woman pass.”

I let out a small laugh, though it sounded more nervous than amused. “Thanks for the warning.”

She grinned and nudged my arm. “Enough about that. There’s this new pastry shop that just opened, and their pastries are the best.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and for the first time today, I felt a small sense of normalcy.

I hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

The pastry shop was just five minutes away.

The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries wrapped around us as we stepped inside, warm and comforting like a gentle embrace. The pastry shop was quaint, yet elegant, with soft golden lighting that reflected off the polished wooden floors. Glass display cases stretched across the room, showcasing an array of delicate confections—flaky croissants, perfectly golden danishes, fruit tarts glistening under the light, and chocolate éclairs filled to the brim with rich, velvety cream.

Elizabeth let out an excited squeal as she dragged me toward the counter, practically bouncing on her feet. “Oh my god, Mariane, look at these! Don’t they look amazing?”

I had to admit, they did. Each pastry was meticulously crafted, as if plucked straight from a high-end bakery in Paris.

“What are you getting?” Elizabeth asked, already pulling out her phone to take pictures. She adjusted the angle, making sure to capture the aesthetic of the desserts before snapping a few photos.

I scanned the options, my stomach rumbling in protest at my indecision. “Hmm… maybe a chocolate croissant and a cappuccino.”

Elizabeth tapped her chin, deep in thought. “I think I’ll get a raspberry Danish and an iced latte. Oh! And maybe one of those little lemon tarts. I love anything with lemon.”

After placing our order, we took a seat by the window, the soft murmur of conversation and the occasional clinking of coffee cups filling the air around us. Outside, the city buzzed with life—cars honked, people strolled along the sidewalk, some with purpose, others simply enjoying the crisp morning air.

“So,” Elizabeth started, breaking a piece of her Danish and popping it into her mouth. “What are your plans for the break?”

I hesitated, swirling my coffee cup between my hands. “I don’t know yet. Maybe… just relax?”

Another lie.

The truth was, I had no intention of relaxing. I planned on investigating my mother’s death, no matter how impossible it seemed with my lack of resources.

Elizabeth gave me a knowing look. “Mariane, come on. You’re always buried in books or stressing over something. You should actually do something fun for once. Maybe even… go on a date.”

I nearly choked on my croissant. “A date?”

She laughed, sipping her drink. “Yeah! You know, something normal people do? I could set you up with someone.”

“Pass,” I said immediately.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Why? Because of a certain mafia guy?”

I rolled my eyes. “Please. He’s the last person I’d ever date.”

Elizabeth arched a brow, her expression teasing. “Oh really? You do know half the girls at our school are obsessed with him, right?”

“More like half of the entire city,” I muttered, shaking my head. “But anyway, I would never date him. He probably has a collection of diseases from sleeping with so many women.”

Elizabeth let out a snort of laughter, nearly spilling her iced latte. “Damn, Mariane, tell me how you really feel.”

I shrugged. “I’m just saying, Heinrich isn’t exactly ‘relationship material.’”

She leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “But you can’t deny he’s hot.”

I gave her a flat look. “I can, actually.”

Elizabeth burst out laughing. “Liar.”

I ignored her, taking a sip of my cappuccino.

“Well, if you’re not into Heinrich, let me set you up on this date. You seriously need to loosen up.”

“No thanks. I don’t want a man right now.”

She sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine. Suit yourself.”

I decided to change the subject. “What about you? What are your plans for the break?”

A bright smile spread across her face. “I’m going on vacation with my boyfriend.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Wow. You guys are getting serious.”

She blushed, looking down at her pastry. “Very. I actually met his parents already.”

My eyes widened. “No way. You met his parents?”

She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah. It was kind of nerve-wracking, but they were nice. His mom already loves me.”

“Well, damn. Don’t forget to make me your maid of honor when you two get married,” I teased, winking at her.

She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s way too soon to talk about that.” But the way her lips curled into a soft, dreamy smile told me she had already imagined it.

We spent the next few minutes joking, reminiscing, and chatting about random things. It was nice. It made me feel normal for once—like I wasn’t drowning under the weight of my mother’s death and everything that had come after.

Then my phone rang.

The unknown number flashed across the screen.

I frowned. I didn’t recognize it, and I had no patience for unknown callers today.

I ignored it.

A few seconds later, it rang again.

I sighed in frustration and turned it off.

“Maybe it’s important,” Elizabeth said, watching me curiously.

“The last time I answered a number I didn’t recognize, it was the police telling me to go identify a body,” I said flatly. “The last thing I want is bad news.”

Elizabeth softened. “I’m sorry, Mari. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine.” I waved her off. “Anyway, it’s not the police. I know their numbers. I call them all the time for updates.”

“Well, if you’re sure…”

I nodded, taking a sip of my now lukewarm cappuccino.

Just as we were settling back into our conversation, Elizabeth suddenly gasped, her eyes widening in alarm.

“Is that Heinrich?” she whispered, pointing toward the entrance.

My heart stuttered.

Shit.

I turned my head slightly, peeking toward the door.

And there he was.

Tall. Intimidating. Effortlessly commanding the room with his mere presence.

He was dressed in all black, his tailored suit hugging his form perfectly. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had run his fingers through it moments ago. Sharp eyes swept across the shop, scanning the crowd.

I quickly turned my face away, my pulse hammering in my ears.

Why was he here?

I pressed myself further into my seat, hoping—praying—that he wouldn’t notice me.

Elizabeth wasn’t the only one staring. A few other women in the shop had also noticed him, whispering amongst themselves, their gazes filled with awe.

And then—

Strong arms wrapped around me from behind.

I stiffened.

“You know I don’t like being ignored,” Heinrich murmured, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down my spine.

I tried to pry his hands away, but he didn’t budge.

“Please let go,” I whispered, panic lacing my voice.

He finally released me, but not before pressing his lips against my ear in a slow, deliberate motion.

My skin burned.

Elizabeth was staring at me, completely dumbfounded.

Heinrich pulled out a chair and sat down beside me as if he owned the place. As if he owned me.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?” he asked, his voice dangerously calm.

I swallowed. “I… I don’t answer calls from strangers.”

He raised a brow. “Strangers?”

His eyes flickered to Elizabeth.

And then—

A smirk.

“Denying me in front of your friend? How rude. Especially considering the fact that we’ll have a public wedding.”

Elizabeth choked on her drink. “Wedding?”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Shit.

There was no denying it now.