Chapter 1

So all these years, my men have been professing their undying love for me while one after another sleeping with my sworn enemy.

Lorenzo hadn't noticed I was awake yet, and continued pouring out his disgust and torment for me.

And his deep affection for Marina.

"This explosion—don't you understand? I couldn't let her destroy DiMarco. That's Marina's lifeline!"

When he finished speaking, there was a long silence from Silvio, with only the sound of suppressed breathing.

"Fine, you should leave now. And remember, though I married Isabella, I will always love Marina unconditionally!"

After Silvio left, Lorenzo pushed open the door, wearing a perfectly calibrated look of concern, as if genuinely worried about me.

"Darling? Are you awake? Are your wounds still painful?" His voice was gentle, every bit the concerned husband.

I turned away, avoiding his hand as he reached to check my forehead, my voice hoarse.

"How strange. Every time Marina and I come to a final confrontation, something unexpected always happens."

"Perhaps... that's fate. In the underworld, who can really say?" Lorenzo's hand paused in mid-air before slowly withdrawing.

I forced a cold smile, looking toward the crucifix outside the window.

"Maybe Marina has too many followers who can't bear to see her lose? The police are already investigating the arsenal explosion."

Lorenzo carefully chose his words, trying to pacify me.

I closed my eyes, feeling a dead emptiness inside.

"Lorenzo, what about you? Do you believe some people are born actors?"

"I..."

Lorenzo froze, his lips trembling slightly before abandoning any explanation. His brow furrowed as he suddenly grew agitated.

"Isabella, what are you implying? Are you actually suspecting me? I'm your husband!"

"I'm just asking. Why are you so nervous?"

2

I stared at him calmly, watching as murderous intent flashed across his face.

Lorenzo's expression changed abruptly, and after a moment he forced a cold laugh through clenched teeth.

"Spineless waste—don't go crazy on me now!"

His words grew more heated as he spoke, his expression twisting. That face I had loved upon for five years now seemed as unfamiliar as a demon's.

In that moment, I finally confirmed that Lorenzo had never belonged to me. These five years had been an elaborate performance from beginning to end.

I remained silent, but Lorenzo clearly didn't appreciate my quietness.

He rose and approached the bed, looking down at me imperiously.

"Isabella, I need you to swear you'll keep your head down from now on and stop dreaming of the impossible! As for our marriage—well, some things are better left unsaid for both of us."

"I can't have ambition? Why the hell not?! If I eliminate Marina, all of Sicily would be mine! As for our marriage... Lorenzo, do you really think we have anything left to discuss?"

I clenched my fists, burning pain shooting through my injured skin.

"Let me tell you! Eliminating Marina is my only reason for living! If I failed this time, I'll try again. If five years isn't enough, I'll take ten!"

Lorenzo paused momentarily, then folded his arms and let out a sinister laugh.

"You truly never learn."

"Fine, I was actually wondering how to keep up this charade with you."

"Isabella, since you've stripped away all pretense, don't blame me for being ruthless."

My heart tightened as his smile sent chills down my spine.

Only then did I notice the smell of iron and fresh blood permeating this abandoned monastery in the remote mountains. It was ghastly and nauseating.

"What are you going to do?!"

No sooner had I spoken than Lorenzo knocked three times on the wooden door: "Come in."

A man in military uniform with a cold demeanor stepped inside.

"Mr. Lorenzo, what are your orders?"

Lorenzo took a vial handed to him by the man, glanced at it briefly, then fixed his gaze on my bandaged hands. His tone was flat.

"Famous arms dealer Isabella suffered a mental breakdown after the explosion, developed a severe morphine addiction. Her hands shake uncontrollably and she is unable to handle any weapons. The military doctor has done his best. Understood?"

My blood instantly froze as I stared at him in disbelief and fury.

"This... this seems irregular," the man called "Dottore" hesitated.

"Just destroy her. After it's done, Marina's share of those smuggled diamonds will be enough for you to live lavishly for generations."

The hesitation in his eyes vanished instantly.

I understood their dirty deal, and a chill spread from the soles of my feet.

With all my strength, I grabbed the iron candlestick from the bedside and smashed it against the window frame.

In the next second, Lorenzo lunged at me, gripping my wrists tightly.

After five years of living together, I had kept nothing from him, while he knew every one of my habitual movements intimately.

So he also knew exactly how to destroy me fundamentally, where my deepest vulnerability lay.

"Isabella, stop your pointless struggle. You can't escape."

Lorenzo stared at me, a momentary flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes.

I roared, "You vicious man! I am your wife!"

I fought violently, but my explosion-weakened body couldn't summon enough strength. My wounds reopened in the struggle, seeping fresh blood.

Several black-clothed enforcers rushed in, expertly producing chains.

"Let go of me! You're committing a crime!" I shouted, my voice breaking with fury.

My furious struggles only earned me heavier chains, until cold iron rings locked around my wrists and ankles.

I gave up resisting.

Survival instinct stripped me of all dignity.

"Lorenzo! I was wrong! I admit defeat! I'll never appear before you again, alright? Let me go, I swear I'll vanish without a trace!"

Lorenzo stood with folded arms, quietly savoring the sight of my breakdown before finally shaking his head.

"Isabella, I don't believe you. I know you too well. You've obsessed over this for five years. You would never let go."

At his signal, the man approached me with a syringe.

Before consciousness was stripped away, I abandoned all explanations and pleas, glaring at him fiercely.

"Lorenzo, my feelings for you... were always genuine."

Through my haze, I saw Lorenzo's resolve crack slightly before quickly hardening again.

"I'm sorry, Isabella."

"I promise you'll never suffer again."