Chapter 3

Julian and I had fallen in love at first sight.

We met for the first time at the New York Public Library. He was there researching for a business proposal. I was hiding from one of my family's tedious blind dates—another eligible son of some connected family.

He stood at the end of the bookshelf. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows and fell across him in golden ribbons.

He was so striking—sharp jaw, steady gaze, the kind of quiet confidence that didn't need to announce itself—that I forgot to breathe. He made me utterly captivated.

And he saw me too. The flicker of surprise and warmth in his eyes sent my heart racing. For that one moment, the whole world narrowed to just the space between us.

For him, I gave up the weight of the Gambino name. I hid who I really was and married him as an ordinary woman—no connections, no fortune, no dangerous last name.

I used my family's connections to pave the way for his company. Deals fell into his lap. Obstacles melted away. But I never let him know. I wanted him to believe he'd done it all on his own.

All he ever knew was that luck always seemed to be on his side. That he always managed to close the toughest deals.

That man—the one who once looked at me like I was the only person in the room—was a total stranger tonight.

I couldn't watch anymore. The way he laughed at something Zoe said, the way he didn't even glance in my direction.

I set down the fork and stood. "I'm tired. I'm going upstairs to rest."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and climbed the stairs.

I had just set my bag down when Zoe pushed the door open and followed me inside.

I told her coldly to get out. But she just leaned lazily against the doorframe. She tilted her head and smiled.

"Bella, let me tell you some good news!" Her voice was bright and cheerful, like we were old friends catching up.

She smiled and enunciated every word clearly. "I'm pregnant with Julian's baby."

My brain went blank. The world seemed to go silent all at once.

I felt the blood drain from my face. My hands went cold. I couldn't feel my fingers. I couldn't feel anything except the ground opening up beneath me.

Zoe watched me carefully. She was enjoying this. I could see it in the way her eyes sparkled.

"I've wanted to tell you for a long time. But Julian wouldn't let me. He said it might upset you." She paused, letting that sink in. "And we've already registered our marriage last month. He said he wanted to give our baby a proper family."

I stared at her. My chest felt hollow, like someone had reached inside and scooped out everything I had.

"You were the one who was kind enough to let me into the company. Because you felt sorry for me. I've always been so grateful." Her voice dripped with false sweetness. "Since you've helped me so much, why not go all the way? Just give me your husband."

I remembered the first time I saw her at the company gate. She was covered in bruises, her clothes torn, her eyes swollen from crying. Her father had sold her off to pay his debts, and she'd run.

I was the one who felt sorry for her. I fought to keep her on, even though she didn't have the qualifications and everyone told me not to. I gave her a chance when no one else would.

Back then, she thanked me tearfully. She swore she'd repay me for the rest of her life.

And now she was standing in my bedroom, telling me she had taken my husband from me, and that she had his child.

A wave of nausea churned in my stomach, but I tried my best and held it back.

My voice trembled when I spoke. "My biggest regret is treating you like one of my own. I let a snake into the house. You and Julian… both of you are scumbags!"

Zoe's face went cold. The sweetness vanished. Her eyes were full of contempt.

She hissed, "Who do you think you are? Some high-and-mighty princess?"

She stepped closer. Her voice dripped with irritation and humiliation. "Julian got tired of you a long time ago! He's into me now. He can't get enough of me."

I dug my nails into my palms and said nothing.

She continued, her voice dripping with smugness, "Everything you have will soon be mine. Your shares. And your husband."

I looked at her flat stomach and let out a bitter smile.

She had already won. She had the papers, my man, and his baby.

Zoe stepped even closer. Her eyes brimmed with barely contained malice.

"And now I'm carrying Julian’s child. If you know what's good for you, you'll get out of his life for good. Otherwise, you're just the other woman. The homewrecker!"

The heat rushed to my head, and before I could stop myself, my hand flew up and slapped Zoe hard across the face. "Shut up!"

Zoe let out a sharp cry and clutched her cheek. Then, as if she had rehearsed it a thousand times, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She looked up at me with the perfect expression of a wounded victim. "Ah! Isabella, why did you hit me? What did I do wrong?"