Chapter 1

Seeing how I remained silent, Blake released his grip on my throat and casually tossed a gift box onto the table.

"Helena, Victoria is my father's old friend's daughter. She grew up by my side and has always been a bit thoughtless. You're my wife–don't stoop to her level.

"This is an apology gift from her. Let's put the past behind us."

It was a luxury gift set. I had just seen it on Victoria's social media yesterday. How the gifts were stacked high in that photo.

The caption? [Blake gave me too much. I don't even know what to do with all the extras. So annoying.]

So I was meant to deal with Victoria's unwanted leftovers.

When I did not respond, Blake's irritation flared again. His brows tightened.

"Why is the house so cold? Not even a hot meal. Helena, you're lazier by the day."

On the dining table sat our daughter's memorial portrait.

He only had to turn his head slightly to see it. However, he acted as if he were blind.

His eyes were fixed only on the timid figure at the door.

Victoria walked in.

She wore a plain white dress, like a frightened rabbit, shrinking behind Blake.

"Blake… Does Helena not welcome me? Maybe I should just leave…"

I ignored her and lowered my head, gently wiping the small wooden horse in my hands.

It was Lily's favorite toy.

Now, it housed her ashes. I traced it softly, as if touching my daughter's face.

The next second, Blake strode forward and kicked the wooden horse out of my hands.

"Enough! Victoria came to see you out of goodwill. Stop acting so cold.

"And where is Lily? Is she throwing a tantrum over a small injury? Mannerless child. Call her out to greet our guest."

Victoria spoke softly, as if trying to mediate, "Blake, Lily is probably still upset with you. After all, to her, her birthday mattered more than your work. She's just a child. Don't blame her."

My fingers tightened around the cloth, the knuckles turning white.

As expected, Blake chuckled coldly.

"Helena, you've spoiled her rotten. Call her out right now to greet Victoria, or I'll wreck her favorite toy."

He waved his hand.

The men behind him stepped forward and raised their guns, aiming at the wooden horse in the corner.

I slowly lifted my head and looked at Blake as if he were already dead.

"She's not coming out. She's asleep. Forever. She won't bother you again.

"Are you satisfied now?"

Blake scoffed, not believing a word. "Enough of this act. You won't call her out? Fine–do it."

At his command, the man pulled the trigger.

I moved instantly and grabbed his wrist–

Crack!

The man screamed as a bone in him snapped. In the blink of an eye, the gun was pressed against his head.

Blake panicked. He drew his gun and pressed it hard against my forehead.

"Helena! Have you lost your mind?! You dare touch my men?!

"Don't forget who saved your life back then!"

I did not retreat.

I, Helena Antonio, was the sole heir of the Antonio family in Sicily, the Don's daughter.

No one in this entire world, apart from my father, could make me bow. If I wanted to, I could have subdued him in a second.

However, all I could see was Lily's pale face before she died.

Covered in blood, her voice weak as she whispered, "Mom… When will Dad come home… I'll be good… I won't eat candy… I won't ask for hugs… As long as Dad comes back and loves me a little more… Okay?"

At that moment, my heart turned to ash.

I stared at the dark muzzle of the gun, the last trace of warmth in my chest extinguishing completely.

Memories surged.

Six years ago, during a power struggle within the family, I was betrayed by the underboss I trusted most.

At the critical moment, Blake took a bullet for me.

Back then, he was nothing–just an illegitimate son struggling at the bottom.

After I recovered, he confessed to me, blushing, that it was love at first sight.

My father looked down on his background.

However, because I loved him, I hid my identity and married him.

For six years, I stood by his side.

I bled for him. I took blades for him.

I used my family's power to eliminate his enemies and pushed him, step by step, into the position of Don.

The man who was ruthless to others would restrain all his violence in front of me and treat me like something precious.

I once casually said I liked limited-edition dolls. The next day, he acquired the company and built a private production line for me.

Once, at a banquet, someone dared to speak to me disrespectfully. With one gesture from Blake, that person disappeared from the city forever.

The memory of it all only made me laugh.

"Blake." I looked straight into his eyes, my voice calm. "We're even."

I turned, picked up the wooden horse from the corner, and went upstairs without looking back.

Blake stood frozen in place, staring at my back, an unfamiliar sense of fear slowly creeping into his heart.