Chapter 1

At 4:00 a.m., my husband, Rocco, gently shook me awake.

His voice was a low murmur, . "Alessia, my love, could you do something for me?"

But his next words shattered the illusion. "Scarlett is hungry. Go make her some seafood soup."

Scarlett was our maid, and she was also Rocco's pregnant goomar.

"I just had fresh seafood delivered. Get to the kitchen and make her a bowl of soup. Just for Falcone's heir."

I refused, my voice cold. His anger flared in an instant.

"Don't be so unreasonable, Alessia."

"Is it really so hard for you to make some soup?"

I shook my head, silent.

He stroked my cheek, a patronizing smile playing on his lips.

"Fine, Alessia. So you've learned to defy me now."

"Think carefully, Alessia. Do you really want to keep your place as a Falcone?"

"And your position as the family's lawyer? Think about whether you still want these… then give me your answer."

Seeing the arrogance in Rocco's eyes, the last ember of love I had for this man died.

I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time. "I want out of the Falcone family."

...

The moment I hung up, Scarlett stormed into my private study without so much as a knock.

"Alessia, who was that on the phone? It sounded like a man."

The maid's taunt caught the attention of several other servants outside, who began whispering amongst themselves.

"Rocco just stormed out of here because of you. You'd better not be fooling around behind his back!"

I looked Scarlett straight in the eye. "What gives you the right to be so bold in the Falcone estate? Spreading rumors in this house has consequences."

Scarlett placed a hand on her hip and sneered. "You dare say I'm telling lies? Why don't we wait for Rocco to come back and see who he believes?"

I shot her a glare and turned to leave, but she grabbed my wrist.

She leaned in close to my ear, her voice a low, threatening whisper. "I'm warning you, Alessia. Be smart and leave Rocco. His heart is mine now!"

"If you know what's good for you, you'll walk away with nothing."

"Otherwise, when I'm the one kicking you out, it won't be nearly this simple."

The shamelessness of worthless people never ceased to amaze me.

As if a scheming maid could do anything to me.

Just as I tried to shake her off and leave, she deliberately threw herself down the spiral staircase.

Her timing was perfect.

Rocco walked in right at that moment.

It seemed I had truly underestimated her.

A loud thud, followed by Scarlett's weak cry of, "Rocco, help me…" caught his attention instantly.

He shoved me aside without a second glance, sending me stumbling just as I reached the top of the stairs.

He didn't even ask what happened. He just assumed it was all my fault.

"Alessia, what are you doing? How could you be so vicious?"

I stumbled and hit a carved marble pillar. Blood immediately trickled from a new cut on my forehead.

Clutchching my dizzy head, I had no time to defend myself before Scarlett launched into her tearful accusation.

"Rocco, Mrs. Falcone told me to organize the family files on the floor. I was a little slow, so she pushed me!"

"My stomach hurts so much. Is our baby going to be okay?"

He was instantly consumed with concern for her, completely falling for the pitiful act she was putting on.

He completely ignored the blood trickling down my forehead and the bright red handprint on my cheek.

Rocco knelt beside Scarlett, his brow furrowed, his voice tight with an urgency I'd never heard before.

"Where does it hurt? I'm calling the family doctor right now."

"Don't worry. Our baby will be fine."

Scarlett leaned against his chest, but her eyes were fixed on me, full of a taunt I couldn't ignore.

"It's all my fault. I can't even do such a simple thing right."

"Mrs. Falcone has been under so much stress lately, working so hard for the family. I should have been more understanding."

"If it makes her feel better, a little suffering is worth it. I just feel bad for my baby…"

"So because she's stressed, that gives her the right to attack a pregnant woman?"

Rocco spun on me, his eyes filled with a chilling disappointment.

"Alessia, when did you become so vicious?"

I touched my wet forehead, my fingertips instantly stained with warm blood.

In five years of marriage, I had handled the family's legal wars and cared for his dying mother.

Legal or illegal, I had given my money, my energy, my everything for him.

And in the end, all I got in return was to be called vicious.

"I didn't push her."

I fought to keep my voice steady, to hold back the sting in my eyes.

"The security cameras on the staircase recorded everything. Check the footage and you'll see the truth."

Scarlett's face went pale in an instant.

She clutched Rocco's suit jacket. "Rocco, I've already forgiven Mrs. Falcone. Let's just drop it."

"It's such a small thing, there's no need to check the cameras. It wouldn't look good for the family if word got out…"

Rocco slowly stood, looking down at me.

"Alessia, I don't care what the footage shows. I saw what you did. Apologize to Scarlett. Now."

I had to laugh. He saw it with his own eyes?

He was lying through his teeth.

I knew he wouldn't defend me, but my heart still ached as my voice began to tremble. "Rocco, are you really going to stand there and twist the truth like this?"

"I know exactly who's twisting the truth. Scarlett is gentle and helpless. She wouldn't dare frame you, the lady of this house."

"You, on the other hand… your dislike for her is no secret."

Looking at the man I had loved for eight years and been married to for five, now he was frighteningly unfamiliar.

But it didn't matter anymore. I was already prepared to leave.

Fine. I would give in. I didn't have the energy to fight anymore.

"I'm sorry."

Hearing my quick apology, Rocco paused for a second, a flicker of something softer crossing his face.

But Scarlett immediately tugged at his sleeve, her voice weak and pleading, "Rocco, I'm still in so much pain. Could you help me to the room?"

His moment of hesitation vanished as he gently helped her up and led her away.

I leaned against the cold marble pillar for a long time, until the blood on my forehead dried into a dark crust.

Three hours later, I received a text message: "Mrs. Falcone, five million dollars was transferred from your account by Mr. Falcone."