Chapter 1 - The Weight of V.D.The overhead fluorescent light of Lena’s Wicker Park kitchen hummed a harsh, irritating frequency. Outside, the Chicago rain beat a relentless rhythm against the glass, matching the frantic, uneven pulse in her throat. On the chipped linoleum counter sat the silver necklace Adrien had gifted her just two weeks ago—a token of love, a family heirloom, a promise.
Now, it looked less like an heirloom and more like a brand.
Lena’s trembling index finger traced the tiny, razor-sharp engraving near the clasp. V.D. Victor Duca. The initials were undeniable. They weren't a manufacturing stamp or a generic hallmark; they were hand-carved with the kind of deliberate precision that only belonged to the man who wore black like a suit of armor and looked through people as if they were made of glass.
Why would Adrien steal his older brother’s personal possession—a family piece left by their grandmother—and present it to a new girlfriend as if it were his own? And more importantly, why had Adrien insisted on bringing her directly into Victor’s line of sight, practically dangling the necklace under the older brother’s nose?
The gentle, patient man she had spent the last six months falling in love with felt suddenly like a ghost story. The yoga instructor who apologized for needing help with a back injury, the soft-spoken partner who listened to her fears about past toxic relationships—was any of it real? Or had Adrien engineered their entire meeting, calculating every step to lead her straight into the Lincoln Park estate?
Lena’s phone buzzed on the counter, making her jump.
May you like
The screen flashed with Adrien’s name. “Hey, Lena. Just wanted to make sure you got inside okay. I know tonight was intense. Victor knows how to ruin everything, but I promise you, I’m the only one who cares about you. Call me?”
She stared at the text, the words “I’m the only one who cares about you” twisting like a knife in her chest. It sounded less like reassurance and more like isolation. Slowly, she picked up the necklace, wrapped it in a dark velvet cloth, and buried it deep inside the bottom drawer of her nightstand. She didn't call him back. For the first time in six months, Lena locked her front door twice, pulled down the shades, and spent the night staring at the ceiling while the rain washed over the city.
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