Burning It All Down

The truth struck me like a thunderclap, leaving me utterly stupefied.

No wonder Lilyanne Accetta had been dressed more like a bride than I was on my wedding day. She even looked at me with such a mysterious grin on her face.

Two weeks before the wedding ceremony, Lilyanne claimed she was heartbroken over a recent breakup and invited me out for drinks. This was her first time being nice toward me, so I agreed to head out with her without any hesitation.

Thereafter, I went through a hellish 24 hours.

One drink was all it took. When I woke, I was sprawled undressed on the floor of the bar, hands groping me from every direction.

The more I struggled, the more agonizing it was. A cacophony of lewd laughter and pounding music assaulted my senses, while strobe-like flashes blinded me.

Lilyanne had known. She had orchestrated it all. It was no wonder that this spoiled brat, who'd always taken what was mine, would readily approve of my union with Russo Morse.

Even more baffling was Derek Church, the youngest overlord of the west coast and Capo of the Church family. He was actually willing to marry a defiled woman.

I had believed, foolishly, that he had done so out of love. Little did I know that it was all a conspiracy.

Derek exhaled a slow stream of cigar smoke, listening lazily as his subordinates flattered him. He ordered, "Switch Nicole's hormonal pills with vitamins again. She needs to be in perfect health to carry a strong child for Lilyanne.

"Once the baby is born, inform her that it died and deliver it to Lilyanne in secret. Nicole has undergone so many abortions that she already believes the problem lies with her. She won't question it."

Jimmy Holland, one of Derek's closest men, nodded. "Understood, boss. The embryo from the IVF procedure has already been replaced with the one from Lilyanne and her husband. It has already been transferred into Nicole's womb.

"Since she's so desperate for a child, she will certainly protect it with her life."

That last remark from Jimmy delighted Derek. He tossed a check to Jimmy as his reward.

Derek lowered his cigar and his sharp gaze swept over his gathered men. He warned, "Keep a good eye on your subordinates. Make sure that Nicole doesn't notice anything. She has to carry that baby to term."

They all nodded, affirming their understanding.

Jimmy smirked. "Don't worry, boss. Nicole is a silly woman. Just because we address her as 'Mrs. Church', she actually believes she holds authority over us.

"She checks in on us every day, yet she still has no idea I was the one who personally selected the men who had their way with her that night at the bar."

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and tapped open an album. Hundreds of photos—each more sickening than the last. The same images that had been circulated at my wedding.

Laughter erupted around the room as the others grabbed the phone, scrolling through the photos of my undressed self with sick delight.

"Jimmy, make sure to include me the next time there's an opportunity for entertainment like this."

Derek's smile vanished.

With a single wave of his hand, one of his men placed the phone on the desk before him. Derek raised his fist and slammed it down, shattering the device into pieces. Then, in one swift motion, he pulled out his handgun and fired three shots.

The bullets lodged into the wall, mere inches from Jimmy's legs.

Jimmy went deathly pale, dropping to his knees as he pleaded with Derek.

"Nicole is still my wife at the moment. As I mentioned before, anyone who brings this up again will be fed to the sharks."

Derek's subordinates nodded in obedience, none daring to test the Capo's patience.

His Consigliere, who had been silent until now, handed a glass of whiskey to Derek while retrieving the gun from him. "Please calm down, boss. I will give these reckless fools a lesson shortly. Still, I couldn't shake off the unease. If Mrs. Church ever discovers the truth—"

Derek emptied the glass in a single gulp. Then, in an almost bored tone, he said, "I rule the west coast. Marrying me was a privilege she'll never have again. Besides, she's tainted. Who else would take her?"

From the shadows of the doorway, I clutched the IVF report tightly in my hands. It stated that the IVF attempt was successful. However, their conversation ruined everything for me.

Even though I was trembling all over, I still pressed a hand over my mouth, forcing back the sobs that threatened to escape.