Chapter 3

Lena was a mess. Tea soaked her clothes as she cried uncontrollably.

"Alyssa!" Dominic roared. "It's bad enough that you refuse to apologize! How dare you do this to her?"

"It wasn't me. Check the surveillance footage," I replied calmly.

He sneered. "Fine. Let's check."

In an instant, Lena grabbed his arm, her voice choking with sobs as she said, "Dominic, it's not Mrs. Caballero's fault. I should never have hoped I could stay by your side. I'll leave right now."

She had barely taken a step when Dominic yanked her back.

"I just got you back, and now you want to walk out on me again? Are you trying to break me?"

Having said that, he wrapped his arms around her. It was as if he were afraid to ever lose her again.

Dominic then turned to me, his icy gaze sending a shiver down my spine. "I'll see that she gets justice for this."

The next moment, a bodyguard began dragging me toward the underground cold storage.

I struggled with all my might, yelling, "Dominic! It wasn't me! Check the cameras!"

Without so much as a glance at me, he shot back coldly, "No need. I believe her."

…

The heavy iron door slammed shut in my face. In an instant, darkness and cold swallowed me whole.

I curled up in a corner, trembling. Yet, the chill in my chest cut deeper than the cold around me. So, this was what Dominic meant when he said I was the one he loved most?

The Don of Coastwick, New Hudson, had once loved me with all his heart.

Knowing I was afraid of the cold, Dominic had spent a fortune installing a temperature control system throughout the house after we married. Even the courtyard stayed like spring all year round.

During winter, he'd cup my icy hands and pull my cold feet into his embrace, smiling as he promised to keep me warm for the rest of my life.

Looking back now, I realized promises were only real at the moment they were spoken.

…

The next day, when I was on the verge of passing out from the cold, the door finally opened.

A bodyguard stood there, expressionless. "Don Caballero says if there's a next time, the punishment won't be this light."

I leaned against the wall for support, shivering as I staggered out.

There wouldn't be a next time. Soon, I'd make sure Dominic was gone from my world for good.

…

That evening, Dominic's assistant arrived with a gown and a set of jewelry, saying I was expected at a charity auction gala.

So, I went. But at the entrance to the ballroom, I saw Lena.

She wore a couture gown and a diamond necklace. It was the very one Dominic had bid eight figures for at last month's auction.

I stopped in my tracks, looked at Dominic, and asked, "If she's here, why bother having me come?"

"I hadn't planned on bringing her, but she's never been to an event like this. She wanted to come, so I brought her," he replied with an indifferent expression.

After a pause, he added lightly, "Alyssa, don't be so petty."

I trembled slightly. I wasn't being petty. He just hadn't thought about how having the Don's wife and his mistress appear together would make me the subject of gossip and ridicule.

Without another word, Dominic led Lena into the ballroom. She slipped her arm through his, a sweet smile playing on her lips.

Nearby, people began whispering.

"Don Caballero and his wife look so perfect together!" one commented.

Another quickly said, "You've got it wrong. That's Donna Caballero. The one beside him is just the mistress."

The first person cast me an awkward glance before muttering, "But he treats that woman so well. She gets the designer gown, while his wife is wearing the gifted one. No wonder I mistook them."

At that, I clenched my fists until my nails bit into my palms.

…

Once the auction began, I raised my paddle to bid on a few pieces. But whatever I bid on, Lena would simply add a dollar on top.

Low chuckles rippled across the room at the sight.

"It's my first time seeing the mistress best the man's own wife," said one.

With a straight face, I made the "all in" gesture. "All in" meant I'd take that item no matter how high the bidding went, with no cap.

All at once, Lena's face turned pale. She tugged on Dominic's sleeve and whined, "I really like this one!"

He looked at me, frowning. "Alyssa, let her have it."

"No. She can't go 'all in,' but I can. That's because I'm your wife and the lady of the Caballero family. What's yours is mine."

After saying that, I turned to Lena with a mocking smile. "No matter how much you give her, she'll never measure up to me."

Tears instantly welled up in Lena's eyes, and she shot to her feet. "You!"

The next second, she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.

"Yes, you're his wife. I'm just a disgraceful mistress. I never should've foolishly believed I could have it all. Dominic, let's end this."

With that, she spun around and bolted.

Dominic's expression changed drastically. He seized my wrist and snapped, "I told you. I'd get tired of her after a while. Why must you drive her away?"

"Whether she stays or leaves is none of my concern," I retorted, coolly meeting his gaze.

His gaze darkened. Without saying another word, he flung my hand aside and strode out after Lena.

Meanwhile, I stood rooted to the spot. Everyone in the room stared at me, their eyes filled with mockery and pity.

But I didn't care. After all, I'd be gone soon.

…

The next morning, a news alert on my phone jolted me awake.

The headline read, "999 Intimate Photos of Don Caballero's Wife to Be Auctioned on the Black Market!"

A chill shot through me the moment I saw it. Only Dominic had those photos.