A Traitor's Debt

I trusted my husband of three years. Completely. Until he muttered in his sleep, "My little treasure, Daddy's taking you and Mommy to the new house tomorrow."That's when I knew. He wasn't just cheating. He had a bastard on the way.In the darkness, I made a vow. This heartless man was going to pay.It was 3 AM.Vincent mumbled something in his sleep. I was about to roll over, but then I made out the words."My little treasure, Daddy's taking you and Mommy to the new house tomorrow."I was wide awake.What new house? What little treasure? We didn't have kids. For three years, he’d said he wanted to focus on his career, kept putting it off.A sliver of moonlight cut through the curtains, landing on Vincent’s face. He was sleeping soundly, a satisfied smile on his lips.I quietly reached for his phone.My thumb unlocked it. He never hid anything from me, which made what I found next a special kind of hell.I went straight to his bank transfers.Recipient: Carmen Rodriguez. Amount: $800,0

A few days later, Uncle Dante's call came right on schedule."Carmen Rodriguez. Twenty-four, immigrant from Mexico. Moved into a Malibu beachfront villa three months ago, valued at eight-fifty. Yesterday at 2 PM, Vincent was with her at St. Mary's for a prenatal check-up.""What else?""I got security footage. Vincent putting the diamond necklace on her himself. In the hospital parking lot. They also kissed for seventeen minutes."I hung up and looked at Vincent, still sound asleep. He looked so innocent, so trustworthy."Isabella? You're up early," he said, reaching for me.I moved away. "Hitting the gym. Got an important business lunch today.""With who?""A friend," I said, getting dressed. "I'll make you your favorite pasta for dinner tonight."Vincent smiled. "I married the perfect wife."Two hours later, I was in the VIP section of Lafey's Salon, the best place in the city to pick up high-society gossip."Isabella! It's been too long!" Sarah Wagner, the mayor's wife, walked over.

Four Seasons Hotel, Presidential Suite.Carmen arrived on time, wearing a pink maternity dress that did little to hide her growing belly. She looked nervous, fidgeting with the designer bag in her lap."Please, sit," I said, gesturing to the sofa across from me."Mrs. Romano, thank you for agreeing to see me.""Call me Isabella. After all, we share a man, don't we?"All the bravado she’d had with her friend was gone. Her face turned red. "I know this is complicated, but I love Vincent, and he loves me. Our baby is a product of that love.""Love?" I let out a soft laugh. "Carmen, do you have any idea what happened at Vincent's casinos yesterday?"She shook her head."He lost all his protection. All his funding. His business is about to go under. He probably won't even be able to keep that villa in Malibu."The color drained from Carmen's face. "That's impossible. Vincent said business was great—""Men like to brag, especially to their mistresses," I said, pulling a file from my bag. "As

The dining room was all candlelight and the smell of the dinner Vincent had so carefully prepared. He was in his best suit, a pathetic, pleading smile plastered on his face. You'd never know he was the same cold bastard who’d turned his back on his own kid just yesterday."Isabella, my love." He pulled out my chair for me, all phony chivalry. "I think we need to talk."I took my seat, watching him fuss around the table. The fool really thought he was still running the show, that the crisis was over."You look pleased with yourself, Vincent," I said, taking a small sip of wine. My voice was even."Of course. Because we can finally have a fresh start." He sat across from me, a scheming glint in his eyes. "Isabella, I have to be honest with you. About Carmen… I admit it, she got to me. A man gets his head turned by something new, you know?""Something new?" I repeated the words, a cold smile touching my lips."Yeah, something new. We've been married three years, life needs a little… spice