Chapter 1

As the consigliere of the Romano family, I could more than afford the entire trip.

Matteo, however, wasn't nearly as wealthy. He was just a small-time caporegime whose earnings paled in comparison to mine. In fact, I was the financial backbone of his entire family.

I had spent an entire month researching and planning the perfect family getaway, yet no one had lifted a finger to help or contribute to the vacation budget. Still, none of that compared to the disappointment they had caused me today.

Maria Trebolt, my mother-in-law, showed me the list of everyone going on the trip. "Look! We're heading to Caspian Isola at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. It's a family event."

As she scrolled through the names, I saw Luca, Bianca, two nephews, and even Anna, the maid responsible for kitchen duties. My name was nowhere to be found.

Sophia walked over to us with a grin. "Did you find your name on there, madam?"

Almost everyone in the living room burst into laughter.

Matteo had always favored Sophia, whom he had known since childhood, but their relationship had grown increasingly intimate. Sophia had even rushed straight to him as soon as she learned about the family trip.

I stared in disbelief at the man who was supposed to be my husband and lifelong partner, but he wouldn't even meet my gaze. Instead, he simply smiled and chuckled at Sophia.

"Matteo! What the hell is the meaning of this? This is a family trip! Even if there were limited seats on the plane, how could you push me aside and give Sophia my spot?!" I demanded.

"She said she wanted to come. Of course I'd agree to that," he replied with an annoyed frown.

Matteo continued, "The number of people was fixed from the start. That's why we booked the yacht and hotel for that exact number, right?

"The problem was that there were no more seats available on the flight, and you were the only one we could leave out to make room for Sophia. What's so wrong with giving her that chance?

"Besides, Sophia doesn't want you around. You're a chronic killjoy, Camilla. You'd ruin the mood if you came along, and why would we want that?"

Sophia chuckled. "Unlike you, Camilla, I've known Matteo for years. We're very close. I've always been family to him, while you're just an outsider."

I almost laughed in furious disbelief. "I've spent an entire month planning this trip, Matteo! I've paid every vacation expense so far, and now you're just going to abandon me? You're leaving me out of a trip I've put so much time and effort into planning? Do you even care about me as your partner anymore?"

Maria interjected angrily, "You're out of line, Camilla. You have no right to question my son's decision.

"I've known Sophia since she was a child. It's obvious that my son considers her a closer friend than you've ever managed to be, so it makes perfect sense that he chose her. You have no grounds to argue!

"And that's not even to mention how you always rain on everyone's parade whenever we go on trips. You can never just let us relax and have fun! At least this time, without you around, we might actually enjoy ourselves!"

I sneered.

"Outsider, my ass. I'm his wife! She's nobody!" I snapped. "And perhaps you people should remember that I'm the one who's been financially supporting this family!"

"That's enough, Camilla! Who do you think you are? Are you just trying to get my attention? It's not going to work, so why don't you stop?!" Matteo exploded. "Sophia means a lot to me. If you're really my partner, you'd understand that and accommodate me!"

Sophia chimed in, "Exactly. You'll be perfectly fine at home alone, Camilla. You're super-duper competent and all that, aren't you? I'm sure you get plenty of opportunities to travel as the consigliere of a mafia family, too. You can afford to let me have this one, can't you?"

I felt as though I'd swallowed a rock.

I turned to my daughter and decided to make one last concession. "What about Lucia? Does she have a ticket?"

"Of course she's on the list," Maria answered immediately.

Lucia looked up from her toys. She glanced at her grandmother's phone and scowled. "But where's Mom's ticket?"

"Camilla is a good, understanding woman who knows better than to spoil our happy vacation," Bianca said with a snort. "Besides, she's always in such high demand! She probably shouldn't be taking time off work for a vacation like this anyway, right?"

"It's better if Camilla doesn't come. Someone has to look after the house while we're all away!" Sophia added.