6 Chapter 6 Dante pulled some strings , tapping into the Falcone family's information network to check property records . What he found shocked him : my name had been wiped from all family records . I was officially marked as " missing ." Even the penthouse , our once - shared home , was no longer in my name . Panic seized him , a cold dread propelling him out of the hotel in a desperate rush to get home . Before he could reach his car , Carina appeared , blocking his path . She was wearing the custom gown I had so meticulously chosen . " Dante ," she purred , her voice sickly sweet , " Isabella is just being petty about the blood donation . A woman like that doesn't deserve you . " She moved closer , her tone coquettish . " The guests are all waiting . Why don't you marry me instead ? I promise to take care of you , to make you happy . " As she spoke , her fingers gently traced the side of his neck in a gesture of practiced intimacy . On any other day , Dante might have succumbed , finding a quiet corner for a moment's pleasure . But not today . He roughly shoved her away , his voice sharp and cold . * Carina , listen to me ," he snarled , his voice dangerously low . " We're done . If you've cost me Isabella , I swear to God I'll tell your father exactly what kind of daughter he raised . " Carina's eyes welled with tears as she began to sob . " Are you saying you never cared ? What about all those promises ? " Dante had no more patience for her drama . The urgency to find me overrode everything else , and he shoved her violently to the ground . " My wife will only ever be Isabella , " he declared . " And I am going to bring her back . Now get out of my life ." Without waiting for a response , he kicked her hand away as she reached for him and jumped into his car . Tires screeching , he sped off , blowing through a series of red lights in his haste to get back to our former apartment . When he arrived , he interrogated the housekeeper until she reluctantly led him to the building's garbage disposal area . There , amidst the filth , were the treasures I had once cherished . The custom jewelry that symbolized our bond , souvenirs from our travels , even the bullet 6 Chapter 6 casing engraved with our vows - all of it , discarded like trash . Dante's chest tightened . He clutched his shirt , his face pale as he dialed my number again and again . The phone just rang , each unanswered tone a hammer blow to his gut . He stared at his phone , the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut : their last call was seventeen days ago . For seventeen days , he'd been so lost in his own filth he'd completely forgotten she existed . If it hadn't been for the calendar reminder last night , he might not have even remembered that today was their engagement party . And even then , he had arrogantly assumed I would be there waiting for him , ready to play the part of his bride . Now , reality had shattered that arrogance . He turned to his men , his lips trembling . " What do I do ? Did Isabella give up on me ? She said she didn't need me to marry her . Was she planning to leave all along ? " His men quickly tried to reassure him . " Come on , boss . No man is a saint . She's just pissed . Where's she gonna go ? Who else can give the Falcones what you can ? " " That's right , " another chimed in . " She'll be back . Just give her a few days . " A third offered a different take , leaning in with a conspiratorial whisper . " You know what ? You should go through with the party . With Carina . Isabella thinks you're so devoted you won't do it without her . She's testing you , trying to get the upper hand . If you fold now , she'll walk all over you ." Dante's eyes flickered with a desperate glimmer of hope . " Yes ," he whispered . " That's it . Isabella is mine . Her destiny is tied to me . She would never really leave . If she sees me about to marry someone else , she'll have to come back and stop it ." One of his men clapped him on the shoulder . " Exactly . Let's go get ready . Better yet , let's livestream it . That way , when she comes back , you can tell her it was all just an act to get her attention "