Chapter 1

[Aurelia's POV]

"Mommy, where did Daddy go?" Sofia Costello hugged her teddy bear, her amber eyes full of confusion.

I crouched to her level and smoothed her rain-soaked blond curls. "He had something important to take care of, sweetheart."

It was our tenth wedding anniversary, and Henson Costello could not even stay for an hour. We had planned to spend a summer camp weekend with Sofia, but the moment he arrived, a phone call pulled him away.

The storm outside was getting worse, rain hammering against the cabin windows with an ear-splitting fury. The staff had warned us about flash floods, and our area was also at risk for mudslides.

We needed to contact rescue immediately, but all the signals had completely cut out.

My heart sank. I frantically dug through my backpack for the emergency satellite phone and dialed Henson's number with trembling hands.

Once, twice…

I made over 90 calls, each one met with that cold, busy tone.

Sofia finally fell asleep in my arms, tear tracks still streaking her little face. I walked to the window, watching the rain grow even more brutal, and dialed that number one more time.

This time, the call finally connected.

I opened my mouth, ready to say, "Henson, we're trapped. The floodwaters could hit any second."

However, I never got the chance.

A woman's breathy moans came through the line, sweet and obscene.

"Henson...slower... You're hurting me..."

My fingers froze, recognizing that it was Angelina Rossi's voice.

She was Henson's first love.

Years ago, when the Costello family faced a crisis with rival families, she had jumped at the chance to take a job overseas without a second thought. Meanwhile, I had chosen love without hesitation, marrying Henson when he had no power and no status.

Henson became the Costello family's Don, and our marriage had looked perfect for years.

I never imagined he still could not let go of Angelina, or that his heart had already changed.

My throat tightened, and no sound came out.

"Honey, do you think Aurelia knows about Leo?" Angelina asked casually, her voice thick with satisfaction.

Leo Costello was my son who drowned five years ago at the beach outside our vacation house.

"She doesn't," said Henson calmly. "He was dead weight anyway. Trading him for control of Pier 9 was the best deal the family ever made."

Thunder exploded near the cabin, or maybe it was my heart breaking apart. My knees went weak, and I almost collapsed to the floor. I covered my mouth tightly with one hand, terrified of making even the slightest sound.

"You are really ruthless," Angelina giggled, and her laughter sent a chill through my bones. "But I guess it makes sense. Our son is the real Costello heir, and as for Sofia... She and Leo were both Vincenzo Moretti's kids, right?"

She said it so matter-of-factly, so certain.

"When the time's right, I'll take care of her," Henson cut in, his tone casual. "The Costello family only needs one heir. I won't let any love child taint the bloodline."

She purred, "Poor Aurelia... She'll be devastated when you get rid of her kid."

Henson paused. "She had two kids with another man, and that's an insult to me. Every single day, I pray for those two brats to disappear."

The phone slipped from my hand and hit the wooden floor with a thud.

It finally hit me that Leo's death was not an accident. All this time, I had blamed myself for his drowning, tormented by guilt for years… It turned out Henson had handed him over as a bargaining chip to secure control of the docks.

At that moment, I suddenly understood why he could say such things so easily.

I clenched my fists so hard that blood trickled down my palms, wishing I could drag both Henson and Angelina straight to hell.

Years ago, when the Costello family was in trouble, I had used my connection with Vincenzo to help. I spent three days with him, negotiating how to divide the docks and funnel investment money to Henson.

When I told Henson about it, he had been understanding, saying gently, "I trust you. You did this because you love me, and I'll never forget what you sacrificed for me."

At this moment, his actions made it crystal clear that he had never trusted me at all. Both of my children's paternity had been called into question.

I had to thank Angelina for answering that call and letting me hear the truth.

I picked up the phone again and pressed 'dial'.

"Vince," I said, my voice raw and rough. "I'll marry you. But you have to help me. I want the Costello family wiped off the face of the earth."

The line went silent for a few seconds. Then, his deep, husky voice came through. "I've been waiting ten years to hear you say that, Aurelia. In three minutes, my rescue helicopter will be at your location."

He paused before adding, "This time, I'm not letting you go."

My phone buzzed.

Angelina had sent me a photo of her hand resting on her slightly rounded belly, a triumphant smile on her face.

[The Costello family needs a legitimate heir, not like that drowned mongrel of yours.]

I stared at that photo as all my grief turned to ice-cold fury in an instant. It was their turn to die.