Chapter 3

"I don't care about the cost, Marcus," I gripped the phone tighter. "I have to leave him."

I heard the rustle of papers on his end.

"Let's see... your prenup... Jesus, Maria, this isn't a prenup. It's a slave contract."

"What does it say?"

"If you initiate the divorce, you walk away with nothing. Not only that, you owe him fifty million dollars in damages." Marcus's voice was heavy. "Worse, Article Thirteen forbids you from removing any 'asset' belonging to the Moretti family. And Maria, they define an unborn child as an asset."

My blood ran cold.

"But there's one exception," Marcus continued. "If you can prove Victor violated the marital fidelity clause, the contract is void."

"I have proof."

"What kind of proof?"

"I saw him with Julia Romano tonight. And... this baby isn't mine."

"What? You need to explain..."

"Marcus, give me twenty-four hours. I'll get you all the proof you need. For now, just tell me: how do I disappear?"

"Maria, this is dangerous. The Moretti family's tentacles are everywhere in Chicago, even..."

"I know the risks. Tell me how."

Marcus was quiet for a long time.

"You need a new identity. A completely clean background, something that can pass their internal checks. I have a guy..."

"Give me the number."

After hanging up, I went to the closet.

I froze when I opened the doors.

In the massive walk-in, my clothes took up a tiny corner.

A few simple dresses, a couple of basic sweaters, one pair of flats.

The rest of the space belonged to Victor. Rows of custom Armani, bespoke suits from Savile Row—each one worth more than my parents’ house.

My entire wardrobe wouldn't even fill a small suitcase.

Five years of marriage. This was all I had.

I grabbed a small backpack and started packing the basics.

A change of clothes, my passport, and the two hundred thousand dollars in cash I had stashed in a lingerie drawer.

It was money I’d saved, bit by bit, from the allowance Victor gave me.

Looks like that little habit just saved my life.

I took out my phone and dialed the number Marcus gave me.

"Yeah?" a low voice answered.

"I'm a client of Marcus Kane. I need a new ID, something that can..."

The door was suddenly thrown open.

My heart stopped.

Victor stood in the doorway, that familiar, tender smile on his face.

I quickly ended the call, my hand shaking as I hid the phone behind my back.

"Baby, you're back. Why didn't you come find me?" He walked toward me, his eyes searching my face, missing nothing.

"I... I just got in. I was tired, so I came straight upstairs."

"Marco already told me the good news." His smile grew wider. "You're pregnant."

He came closer, his hands framing my face.

"I'm so happy, Maria. Thank you for finally giving me this child."

He leaned down and kissed my lips. It was a kiss of triumph, of satisfaction.

I smiled coldly in my mind.

Of course you're happy, Victor. I'm finally giving you and Julia a baby.

He pulled back and snapped his fingers.

Two maids entered, pushing a small cart.

"A reward for my good girl."

On the cart was a bouquet of roses and a velvet box. Inside was a diamond necklace. It was beautiful, but it was a consolation prize. A cheap copy of the one sparkling on Julia’s throat.

"Like it?" Victor asked, his voice generous, like he was giving charity.

"It's beautiful," I forced a smile.

Even pregnant, even after years of pain for him, what he gave me was still just a fraction of what he gave Julia.

Good thing I was leaving.

"Oh, one more thing," Victor said suddenly. "Julia, come in."

Julia glided into the room. She’d changed into an expensive silk robe.

"There was an... incident at Julia's villa tonight," Victor said, his tone dangerously casual. "She'll be staying here for the foreseeable future. I trust you'll make her feel welcome."