My Cheating Ex Mocked Me on His Wedding Mic, Until the City’s Most Dangerous Billionaire Claimed Me as His Wife

The aftermath of the Morretti attack was handled within hours. By dawn, the penthouse was spotless, the syndicate leaders across the river had been permanently neutralized, and peace was restored to the city streets through Raymond's absolute, undisputed authority.

Two months later, the six-month deadline arrived.

It was a cold, rainy November afternoon. Hazel stood on the observation deck of the St. Jude Tower, watching the gray raindrops streak across the reinforced glass. On the table behind her lay a manila folder containing the dissolution papers for their temporary marriage, prepared by Arthur Vance according to their original agreement.

She had everything she had ever dreamed of: independence, wealth, her curriculum in over three hundred schools, and the total destruction of those who had wronged her.

Yet, her chest felt as heavy as lead.

The glass doors slid open, and Raymond walked onto the terrace. He wore a heavy wool overcoat, his hair damp from the rain. He stopped at the table, his eyes immediately falling upon the manila folder.

""Vance sent the final copies,"" Raymond said quietly, not looking at her. ""All the assets have been successfully transferred to your sole ownership. The five million dollars has been cleared into your private trust. You are completely free, Hazel.""

Hazel turned to face him, the wind rustling the hem of her cashmere sweater. ""Is that what you want, Raymond? For me to take the money and leave?""

Raymond clenched his jaw, staring out into the misty expanse of the bay. ""I am a dangerous man, Hazel. My world is filled with blood, enemies, and shadows. You are an educator. You bring light into every room you enter. You deserve a normal, peaceful life without bodyguards and panic rooms.""

""You arrogant idiot,"" Hazel said softly.

Raymond blinked, turning his head in surprise. ""What did you say?""

Hazel stepped toward him, closing the distance between them until she was looking directly up into his dark, troubled eyes.

""You spent months making sure Grant paid for underestimating me,"" she said, her voice trembling with emotion. ""And now you're doing the exact same thing.""

Raymond stared at her, completely frozen.

""Grant thought I was weak because I was kind,"" Hazel continued, placing her palms flat against Raymond's firm chest, right over his racing heartbeat. ""He thought I needed a safe, small life. But I survived him. I survived the poverty. I survived the humiliation. And when those men broke into this house, I didn't hide in a closet—I picked up a knife.""

She reached up, tangling her fingers into the damp lapels of his coat. ""I don't want a small, boring life with a weak man, Raymond Marquetti. I want the man who stood in front of two hundred people and claimed me when I had nothing. I want the man who protected me, respected me, and built an empire at my feet.""

Raymond’s breath shuddered. The cold, unreadable mask he wore for the entire world finally cracked, crumbling into pure, unadulterated passion.

""Hazel..."" he growled.

He pulled her against him, crushing his mouth down onto hers in a fierce, breathless kiss that tasted of rain, fire, and absolute possession. Hazel melted into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck, kissing him back with all the hunger and devotion that had been building inside her soul for months.

When he finally pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, his eyes were burning with raw devotion.