Who I can Trust Author: KarenW Selene's POV Core business in his mouth was the very casino I'd been running for the past three years-Vale's beating heart. And right now, it was balancing on the edge of one of the most lucrative, high-risk collaborations in our history. A secret alliance with the Northern mafia. We were laundering their money through the casino, camouflaging it so cleanly the authorities wouldn't even get a scent. If it went well, the Vale family would walk away with billions. And more importantly, with unshakable dominance in the NYC's underworld. And I was the one who'd built this deal from the ground up. Every meeting. Every clause. Every loophole and forged signature. Mr. Vale's voice was taut with frustration. "Well, if I can't trust her, then who the hell am I supposed to trust? You?" he snapped at Adrian. "Can you handle a casino of this scale on your own?" He didn't wait for an answer. "Selene has done more for this family than you ever have. If you want to marry Elara so badly, fine-make her your girlfriend, your mistress, I don't care. But Mrs. Vale? That title belongs to someone dedicated. Loyal. Proven. And Selene was the perfect one." "I don't care!" Adrian shouted back, eyes blazing. "I'm marrying Elara. No one else." ... I waited until Adrian stormed out, the echoes of his footsteps still pulsing down the hall, before I knocked on the office door. "Come in," Mr. Vale called. I stepped inside, chin high. "Mr. Vale," I greeted with a respectful nod. His eyes lit up at the sight of me, though there was something different behind his smile this time. Pity. "Selene." "I came to hand in my resignation," I said plainly. "Resignation?" His voice faltered. "From the casino?" "Yes. I've given it a lot of thought." I smiled gently, giving him the most polite excuse I could offer. "With Adrian and Elara getting married, it's no longer appropriate for me to be here. I know I only had the privilege of managing the Vale casino because you once hoped I'd become Adrian's wife. But now... I'm not. And I wouldn't feel right continuing to oversee something this important." He was silent for a long moment. "I understand what you're saying," he murmured at last, "But you've been the one leading the North deal. It's a delicate operation. Too delicate to risk-what if your replacement can't..." "Adrian is more than capable," I cut in gently. "And if you ask me, this is a perfect opportunity for him to prove that to you. Let him finish what I started." Mr. Vale studied me for a long moment. He saw the decision already written in my posture, in the calm set of my jaw. He gave a short nod, brows drawn. "If that's what you want." I turned to leave, the weight on my shoulders somehow lighter and heavier all at once. Before I could leave, the door creaked open again. Adrian. With Elara in his arms. He stopped dead in the doorway when he saw me, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. "What are you doing here?" I turned to face him, my voice even, unshaken. "Just tying up loose ends." "Selene, I want to ask you something-" Mr. Vale cut in smoothly. "No need. Selene's already handed in her resignation. Son, you'd better focus on securing that Northern deal." Adrian's brows lifted, his surprise flickering across his face. Maybe he thought I'd cling a little-fight for him, or at the very least, the casino I'd built with my own hands. But I had let go of the title Mrs. Vale. And now, I was letting go of the Vale itself. Elara leaned forward, her smile all sugary grace and carefully timed innocence. "I... We appreciate your... compromise. There's no need to resign from everything. Even if you're not Mrs. Vale, we're still family, aren't we? We grew up together. Adrian and I can treat you like a little sister." So sweet. So generous. I returned her smile, just as polished. "Nonsense. My last name never was, and never will be, Vale. I'm not qualified to be part of the family business anymore. But..." Adrian's gaze sharpened. "But what?" I met his eyes evenly. "But the Northerners aren't like us. They're blunt. Brutal. If you're planning to play clever games or skim a little extra on the side, don't. They don't take kindly to being lied to." His jaw locked. "Are you implying I'd steal like some backroom rat?" "No," I replied calmly. "I'm giving you a warning. Don't lie to them. Don't get clever. That's all." Then I turned to Mr. Vale and offered a polite nod. "I'm finished here. Thank you for everything. I'll be leaving now." I had just turned to go when Elara's voice stopped me again. "Selene-will you come to our engagement party at least?" Her tone was soft, hopeful. "You were my closest friend all these years. I want you there." I paused, then nodded once. Fine. Let that party be the ending-clean, final-for everything I had once hoped for. ... Adrian and Elara's engagement party was held at the Grand Hyoo, the most opulent hotel in New York City. When I arrived, the ballroom was already overflowing-politicians, mafia leaders, old-money billionaires. Nearly a thousand people had gathered under its crystal chandeliers. It was extravagant. Overwhelming. Compared to the small, private dinner I once had with Adrian-a quiet, ten-person affair that barely felt real-this was a coronation. I glanced down at my dress. It was the best one I owned. Still, I felt out of place. Like I was walking into someone else's world. But I smiled anyway. Then stepped into the light. Elara spotted me instantly and waved. "Selene!" she called, drawing every eye in the room. Heads turned. I caught a few expressions-curiosity, pity, even disdain. "I'm so happy you came," Elara beamed. "I spoke to Adrian, and we both agreed-you should give a speech. To celebrate our engagement, of course." I blinked. A speech? Was she serious? Did she truly think it was wise to hand me a microphone, in front of this crowd, when everyone here knew what stood between the three of us? "Sorry, Elara," I said gently. "I didn't plan on giving a speech tonight. This day belongs to you and Adrian." She tilted her head, blinking those wide, innocent eyes. "Really? But I insist. Adrian wanted it too." There had been a moment-a heartbeat, really-where I wanted to stand here tonight and tear him down. Make him feel the sting of everything he put me through in my past life. But I knew better. What could I really do against the Vale? Maybe this could be the ending I gave Adrian and me. A clean one. A kind one. Then I'd disappear into the world and build a life of my own-on my own.