Chapter 2

In the study, Sophia's legs were wrapped around Alessio's waist, her nails scratching bloody marks onto his back.

"You owe me an explanation," Sophia's voice came through the speaker. "That antique pistol you gave Blair is a Greco family heirloom, right? She didn't even have to ask, and you gave her your most precious possession. What happened to 'you like me more'?"

"Blair?" Alessio panted heavily as he pushed her legs off his waist. "She's key to my position as Don. I've already explained this. I need a respectable wife for the other families. It solidifies my status."

"But I don't want to share, Alessio." Sophia bit his lower lip. "I can't help but be jealous of everything she has."

My fingers dug into the armrest of the sofa.

"Be patient, baby." Alessio pushed her down onto the desk. "Once I get the inheritance my grandfather left her, Blair will be useless to me."

He took a black velvet box from a drawer and opened it to reveal a custom, diamond-encrusted pistol.

He dangled it in front of her, as if pacifying a child. "Don't throw a tantrum. I had one made for you, too. Just don't let Blair see it, or we're both finished."

"Alessio, why are you so scared of her leaving you?"

"I'm not afraid of her. But Blair was my grandfather's favorite. Once I get my hands on the billions he left her... I can finally get rid of her for good." Alessio's answer came without a hint of hesitation.

Sophia's face lit up. She smiled and pressed the gun to his temple.

"If you dare to lie to me, I'll use this to kill you."

"Then kill me." He kissed her. "I'm yours."

I turned off the monitor, my eyes landing on our wedding photo hanging nearby. Then I rushed to the bathroom, dry-heaving until my throat was raw.

"Two weeks, Alessio," I whispered through my tears. "I'll be gone. Let's see just how crazy you go."

The next morning, three gunshots jolted me from a nightmare.

I rushed to the window and saw three men on their knees in the estate's backyard, collapsing into pools of their own blood.

Alessio stood behind them, smoke still curling from the barrel of his gun.

"I gave you ten years of loyalty. I even took a bullet for you," one of the men cried out. "We swore a blood oath to be loyal to the family forever. Now, just a few months later, you're executing me?"

Alessio turned and walked toward the ancestral hall. I saw him kneel before the ancient Greco family crest.

His voice was low and devout. "I swear in the name of the Greco family, if I betray it, may I be burned by the fires of hell for eternity."

He was making empty vows again. After all, I too had once been deceived by his promises. "Blair, I will pledge my loyalty only to you for the rest of my life."

Back then, I had studied his face. "To me? But a lifetime is so long."

He pulled me closer. "A lifetime is indeed long, and I only want you to fill it."

Now, I almost laughed out loud. Hearing a similar oath from his lips again felt cheaper than trash.

"Darling, you're up early."

I turned to see Sophia in a tight, hip-hugging dress with a low-cut neckline that revealed fresh love bites on her neck.

"Looks like… you two were busy last night?" My voice was surprisingly calm.

She licked her lips. "Alessio was teaching me how to shoot. You know, a woman has to learn to protect herself."

She deliberately stepped in front of me, letting me smell Alessio's scent all over her.

"By the way, Blair. I'm going to a club tonight with some friends. Do you mind if I borrow your red Valentino?"

"Use whatever you want." I turned to leave.

"Wait." She grabbed my wrist. "Are you sure you're okay? You look… exhausted."

I shook her hand off. "I'm fine. Thanks for your concern."

Just as I was about to leave, Alessio walked over.

He glanced at me, then turned to Sophia, his brow furrowed. "It's only eight in the morning. Where are you going dressed like that?"

It wasn't the tone of a brother, but one laced with a possessive, intimate undertone.

"To the club, I told you. Tommy and the others are waiting for me."

"I'm going to find a man there." She spun around. "How do I look?"

I saw the veins bulge on Alessio's clenched fist. Tommy was a young Capo in the family, tall and handsome.

Alessio was silent for a moment before speaking. "I'm taking Blair to my parents' place today," he said, his voice cold. "And change your clothes before you go."

Sophia didn't answer. She just clicked away on her high heels, leaving a cloud of cloying perfume in her wake. Alessio, however, still held my hand tightly.

We were practically pushed into his stretch Lincoln. Alessio sat beside me, stroking my hand constantly, perhaps trying to soothe me.

His parents had never liked me.

They had always looked down on me, believing I was a "bad omen" who brought death to her own daughter. They thought the air of misfortune I carried would bring disaster to the family.

During a stop, Alessio gently squeezed my shoulder. "Listen, Blair, my parents can be harsh sometimes. Don't take what they say to heart."

"If anything they say upsets you, tell me. I'll handle it."

The sweeter the words, the deeper they cut. He had always been good at that.

I stared into his eyes. Once, they had held only me. Now, they seemed no different.

But everything was different.

"It's nothing." I shook my head. "I just miss our daughter."

The car passed through the iron gates, and I saw the imposing stone manor.

Raul and Margaret were there, smiling and talking intimately.

The moment their eyes fell on me, their faces turned to stone.