Chapter 2

The bedroom door was slightly ajar. Inside came Alice's sultry moans and Domenico's low, heavy breathing.

I did not stop walking. I headed straight into the wine cellar.

Ten years of marriage, and I had fallen this far. I drowned my sorrows in alcohol. At midnight, the cellar door swung open.

Alice walked toward me wearing my silk robe. The collar hung open, exposing the suggestive bite marks on her neck.

"You know what Domenico told me, Lucia? He's dying to throw you in the ocean and watch you drown. He says looking at your lifeless face makes him sick and that you're worthless trash in his eyes. You're not even good enough to lick my boots."

I looked at her coldly, my eyes flat and unmoved. "This is the Calvetti family's estate. This is mafia territory, not some playground for college girls. Don't get too cocky or you'll burn yourself."

My words seemed to infuriate her.

Alice raised her hand to slap me across the face. "You bitch, how dare you lecture me!"

Before her palm could land, I caught her wrist in a tight grip.

Ten years with Domenico meant I had seen plenty of bloodshed. I had killed more people than she had probably ever met.

The next second, I slammed her entire body against the dust-covered wall with enough force to make her scream in pain. "I've killed more people than you've ever met. Who the hell do you think you are?"

Alice's body went rigid, and her pupils were filled with terror. She probably thought I was just a compliant pushover.

A few seconds later, she snapped out of it and began shrieking hysterically, "Help! Someone help me! She's trying to kill me!"

While screaming, she deliberately tore at her robe, exposing her shoulders and chest. Then, she hurled herself at the wine rack beside her.

The sound of shattering wine bottles pierced the air. Glass shards and wine splattered everywhere.

She fell perfectly beside the broken glass. A cut on her temple began bleeding. It looked like I had brutally assaulted her.

The cellar door was kicked open. Domenico stormed in, fury radiating off him. In his hand was a Desert Eagle.

It was the weapon he had given me for self-defense all those years ago when he saved me from my adoptive father. Now, it was aimed directly at my forehead.

His eyes immediately found Alice lying on the floor. Murderous intent ignited in his gaze.

For a moment, I could almost feel the cold sensation of a bullet piercing through my body.

"Lucia, are you asking to die?" He spoke through gritted teeth, his voice dripping with violence. "Who gave you the nerve to touch her!"

I stared at the black muzzle of the gun. My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Did I have to explain myself? What would be the point? He would not believe me.

I started laughing until tears streamed down my face. "You did. You gave me the nerve. Domenico, have you forgotten?"

I looked straight into his eyes and slowly said, "You said no one but you could ever hurt me. You promised this gun would never be aimed at me."

My gaze seemed to sting him. The hand holding the gun trembled slightly.

He lowered the weapon but stepped forward and raised his hand. He slapped me hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the room. My cheek swelled immediately, blood seeping from the corner of my mouth. The pain was searing.

"Three days in the basement!" His voice was cold as ice. "You're not allowed out without my permission! No food, no water!"

He threw those words at me before carefully lifting Alice from the floor. His movements were so gentle, as if he were handling a priceless treasure.

I still remembered how he had held me just like that after I accepted his proposal. Back then, he said he would give me the world.

Now, everything had changed.