Chapter 3

Victor came home the next morning while I was eating breakfast in the dining room.

He looked tired. His tie was loose, and his shirt carried the faint scent of a perfume that wasn't mine.

"Morning, baby. Sorry I didn't make it back last night." He walked over and kissed my forehead. "A project at work blew up. I was stuck at the office all night."

I fought back the urge to spit in his face. Without looking up, I kept cutting my eggs. "You must be exhausted."

"Yeah. And I might have to head out again this afternoon. There's a big academic event over at Columbia." He watched my face for a reaction. "You know how important supporting education is to me."

I finally looked up and smiled. "You're a good man, Victor. So civic-minded."

He looked relieved and reached for my hand. "Having a wife like you, Felicity, is my greatest honor."

I just smiled.

At two p.m., the main auditorium at Columbia Medical School was packed.

I arrived early and chose a seat in the back corner.

Victor was in the front row, surrounded by professors who looked at him with a mixture of respect and fear.

Soon, it was Mia's turn to present.

I watched her eyes dart constantly toward Victor, her face glowing with affection and pride.

Victor watched her like she was a masterpiece he had created.

I sat there, listening to her present my work—my theories, my findings—as the audience murmured in admiration. Bile rose in my throat.

To her credit, she presented it well. Every point was clear, every slide professional.

If I didn't know the truth, I might have been impressed myself.

After forty minutes, Mia finished to a round of thunderous applause.

But when the Q&A started, she began to falter.

She hadn't done the work, so she didn't know the details.

That's when Victor stood up.

"Pardon the interruption," he said, approaching the stage. His voice filled the room, heavy with authority. "As Mia’s patron, I've personally witnessed the sleepless nights and the sheer effort she has poured into this research. Her professionalism is beyond question."

He spoke with the quiet certainty of a king. Coming from the Godfather, his word was enough. The judges on the panel exchanged affirmative nods.

"A truly groundbreaking study. Such a remarkable achievement for someone so young…"

"And with the Don himself vouching for her, it must be credible…"

It was a done deal. I could see the smug satisfaction on their faces.

"Well, it seems everyone is very impressed," the Dean said with a smile. "If there are no further questions, then we'll—"

"Wait."

I'd seen enough of this circus. "I have a question."

Victor's face hardened. He shot a look at his men, a silent order to find whoever dared to interrupt.

I slowly took off my sunglasses and smoothed my hair.

Then, as every head in the auditorium turned, I stood up.

On the stage, the smiles on Victor and Mia's faces froze.