Chapter 1

"Ms. Aria, are you absolutely sure about this?"

Inside the private clinic, the black-market doctor handed me the consent form with trembling hands.

"Digging the GPS chip out of your neck, breaking and rebuilding your facial bones... You are so beautiful, why would you..."

"Because I need to escape someone. Forever." I touched my face with a bitter smile and signed my name.

When I walked out of the clinic, the blinding sunlight made me squint.

Before I could take three steps, the familiar roar of engines echoed from the end of the street.

A massive fleet of black bulletproof SUVs pulled up. The doors swung open.

Chicago's most feared Don, Killian, strode toward me.

"Aria, how dare you go out alone?" He crushed me against his chest, gripping my waist so hard it almost bruised. "What if you were in danger?!"

I rested my head against his broad chest. My voice was very light. "I just needed some air. You got here fast."

"With this chip, I can find you in a second." He looked down, obsessively kissing the raised skin on the back of my neck. "I can never bear losing you again."

Three years ago, I was kidnapped by a rival family.

He went insane searching for me for three days and three nights.

When he finally pulled me from the pool of blood, this ruthless tyrant cried like a broken man.

"Thank God you're alive," he had whispered, kissing every scar on my body. "Or I would have chopped everyone involved to pieces and thrown them into the Chicago River!"

The kidnapper's corpse had been left hanging upside down on a bridge to rot.

People always whispered when we walked by.

"My God, that's Don Killian and his wife Aria!"

"He spent billions on their wedding and bought a whole luxury street for her! He's madly in love!"

"I heard he had a custom tracker made just to keep her safe. She's his only weakness!"

Killian ignored their voices and carefully guided me into his car.

But the moment the door shut, my stomach churned.

Sitting in the passenger seat was my former best friend, Tessa.

"Boss, Aria. The restaurant is booked. Shall we go?"

She turned her head. I clearly saw a dark purple hickey on her neck.

Seeing me staring, Tessa panicked and pulled up her collar. "Sorry, Aria... my boyfriend and I were a little rough last night..."

"Keep your trashy life to yourself," Killian snapped, his voice pure ice. "Don't disrespect my wife with your mess. And watch how you address her!"

"Yes, Don. I'm sorry..." Tessa kept her head down, apologizing repeatedly.

I looked away, drowning in irony.

This woman used to be my best friend. I took care of her since we were kids. After I married Killian, I even got her a job in the syndicate. Yet she chased my husband behind my back.

Back then, Killian told everyone: "If it weren't for Aria, a woman like her would be fish food by now."

I was so touched by his protection. I even begged him to spare her life.

But three months ago, she got him drunk and succeeded. Everything changed.

Ever since then, my husband—the man who claimed to love me most—became utterly addicted to her body.

In the headquarters, in the safe houses, they fucked everywhere in every position.

Just then, Killian turned his head slightly. I caught a glimpse of a faint bite mark deep under his collar.

A knife twisted in my gut.

He couldn't even resist fucking her in the half-hour before picking me up?

The car stopped at the most exclusive restaurant in the Gold Coast. The waiter respectfully led us to the VIP room.

"The chef prepared the Wagyu special tonight."

I sat there absentmindedly, staring at the expensive steak. I had zero appetite.

"Is it bad?" Killian noticed I hadn't touched my fork.

Before I could answer, he stood up, grabbed his whiskey glass, and smashed it against the wall.

"Ah!"

A shard of glass cut Tessa's cheek. Blood instantly welled up.

"Who picked this place? You dare disappoint my wife?" Killian roared.

"Killian, don't." I softly touched his arm.

He instantly softened. He leaned down and kissed my lips. "Sorry, baby. I'll go mix your favorite drink myself. Let's see what else you'd like to eat."

He turned and left.

Two minutes later, Tessa covered her bleeding face, excused herself to the restroom, and left too.

A strong intuition gripped me.

I stood up and followed them like a ghost.

At the end of the hallway, a VIP room door was slightly ajar.

There was no sound of mixing drinks.

I peeked through the crack.

Inside, Killian had his back to the door. He had Tessa pinned hard against the sofa.

He was thrusting his hips wildly. Every strike was brutal and deep, like he wanted to break her in half.

"Don... ah... it's too deep..."

"Shut up, you slut!" Killian gripped her waist, panting and cursing. "How dare you tempt me here? Why the fuck is your body so tight? You're milking me dry!"

"Because I love you... I ride you so much better than Aria does..."

"Don't you dare say her name!" Killian slammed into her with a wet, heavy thud, his voice cold and warning. "You're just a hole for me to use! You're not worth a single hair on her head. Cover up your hickey. If Aria finds out, I will skin you alive!"

I covered my mouth tightly. Tears crashed silently onto the back of my hand.

My nails dug into my palms until they bled, but I couldn't feel the pain.

The man who gently told all of Chicago that I was his world, was currently fucking another woman like a savage beast.

I don't know how I escaped that hallway.

I stumbled out onto the terrace. The night wind dried my tears, leaving only a bone-chilling cold.

I took out my phone and drafted a divorce agreement in my notes.

Just as I locked the screen, a pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind.

"Why aren't you at the table?" Killian's voice was hoarse from his recent release. His eyes were red with panic.

I turned around and looked at the Don who had just pulled out of another woman.

No screaming. No exposing him.

I just looked at him with dead calm. "How did you find me so fast?"

Killian cupped my face and kissed my lips deeply.

"Sweetheart," he rested his forehead against mine, his voice sickeningly sweet. "The chip I gave you. I can track you perfectly. No matter where you go, I will always find you."

Listening to his sweet lies, I smiled and kissed him back. But in my heart, the countdown began.

No, Killian. Only seven days left.

In seven days, you will never find me again.