Chapter 3

"She might be," Rocco's voice was full of casual confidence.

"For a little while. But she'll get over it. She can't live without me."

Rocco's voice was full of confidence, as if he held complete control over my fate.

"Alessia has always been obedient. This time will be no different."

I quietly hung up, my heart turning to cold ash.

But on second thought, he was right.

For the past five years, I had forgiven his every betrayal, his every humiliation.

But this time was different.

I went into the study and began gathering the legal documents that needed to be destroyed before I left.

As I opened a drawer in my desk, I froze.

The sealed dossier was gone.

Inside was months of my painstaking work: a complete file of evidence detailing the rival family's smuggling routes and tax evasion schemes.

And only Rocco knew the combination to my private safe.

Just as I was about to call and confront him, my phone buzzed.

Scarlett had sent a photo.

She was posing in Rocco's office, holding up my dossier with a triumphant smirk.

The caption read: "Rocco said I needed a proper contribution to be accepted by the family. Isn't this a wonderful welcome gift?"

A moment later, she sent her location: the Falcone family's penthouse.

It was a blatant declaration of war.

To get back what was mine, I drove to the penthouse.

I knocked three times before Scarlett lazily opened the door.

"Well, well. If it isn't Alessia. What brings you here so late?"

She wore a black lace nightgown that was more air than fabric, and she reeked of Rocco's signature cologne.

"Where's Rocco?"

"The Boss is in the shower. Do you need something?"

I could hear the water running in the bathroom. I looked her straight in the eye, my voice like ice.

"Give me back the file. That's my work."

Scarlett laughed as if I'd told the funniest joke in the world.

She patted the dossier sitting on the coffee table, her eyes overflowing with smugness.

"Your work? Rocco gave this to me. He said it would be my ticket into the family. What does it have to do with you?"

She took a step closer. The nightgown slipped, revealing fresh love bites on her shoulder and neck, each one a knife in my heart.

"Besides, when has Rocco ever taken back a gift he's given me?"

The water in the bathroom stopped.

Rocco walked out in a bathrobe, his hair still dripping. His face darkened when he saw me.

"Alessia? What are you doing here?"

His eyes lingered on my disheveled state. "It's cold in here. Why aren't you wearing more?"

Scarlett's smile tightened for a second, a flash of anger in her eyes at Rocco's concern for me.

Then she threw herself into his arms, pouting. "I thought it was room service. I didn't expect your wife. She just barged in and scared me."

I walked right up to Rocco and pointed at the dossier on the table. "Rocco, I spent six months gathering that intelligence. What right do you have to just give my work to someone else?"

"That was our key to destroying the Morettis," I said, my voice quiet. "You know what it represents."

"I know you're the one who did the work. You're brilliant, no one denies that," Rocco said, his gaze flickering away.

"But Scarlett needs a way to prove her worth, a bargaining chip to be accepted by the family. Just let her have it. It's for the good of the family."

"For the good of the family?" I couldn't help but laugh, my heart feeling like it was being ripped apart.

"Five years ago, you begged me to find a way to cripple our rivals. You swore my mind was the family's greatest asset."

He sighed, looking at me with exasperated patience, as if I were being unreasonable again.

"Alessia, stop it. If you're not satisfied, I can compensate you. What do you want? Money again? You're really never satisfied."

"I'll have the driver take you home, and transfer more money to you later."

"I'm not going home." I stared into his eyes. "Give me back my file."

"Honestly, Mrs. Falcone," Scarlett fanned the flames from the side, "it's just one dossier. You're being so petty. No wonder so many people find you difficult."

"Shut up. This isn't your place to speak."

My murderous tone startled Scarlett, and she shrank behind Rocco.

Rocco's face darkened completely. "Alessia, are you just here to make trouble?"

Looking at this despicable pair, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Rocco, you know what that file meant for my career and our power."

His gaze easily dodged mine. He wasn't looking at me. "Don't keep harping on this. The lady of the family should be more gracious."

"If you want another project, I'll have the men find you something else to work on."

"Do you think I care about another project?" I forced a smile, but my eyes filled with tears.

I lunged for the dossier on the table, determined to take back the product of my blood and sweat.

Scarlett suddenly shrieked, "Rocco! She's trying to take away my gift! She's trying to hit me!"

"Help! She's trying to hurt me and the baby!"

Rocco grabbed my wrist, his grip tight enough to crush bone. "Alessia! Don't test my patience!"

I ripped my arm from Rocco's grasp.

"Fine," I said, my voice hollow and dead. "Let her have it. But we're getting a divorce."

Rocco's face went rigid. "Absolutely not," he snarled, the charming facade gone.

"Don't even think about it. Once I have my heir, I will be a better husband to you. You just need to learn to control your jealousy and wait."

"But I don't want to wait," I said, turning my back on him for the last time.

Without waiting for his reaction, I turned and left the apartment.

Behind me, I heard Scarlett's sweet laughter. "Darling, she's finally gone."

"Now, where were we? About the baby's name..."

I walked quickly out of the apartment building.

A storm had broken while I was inside.

The cold rain hit my face, a chill seeping into my bones.

Five years of marriage, so easily erased.

I didn't want the file anymore. And I didn't want Rocco, either.