Chapter 2

Her words stopped me mid-step on the staircase. My heart sank.

Two weeks ago, I'd run into a man while shopping with Bianca.

I recognized him as the heir to another powerful Family, though he didn't seem to recognize either of us. He paid for lunch and asked for my number. I refused and made it clear that I was married.

The moment Bianca noticed the signet ring marking his rank, interest flashed in her eyes. She gave him her number instead, and I teased her about it afterward.

Now, in Bianca's version, that harmless encounter had become proof that I was entertaining another man.

I fought to swallow my rising anger and glanced at Alessio. I was sure he wouldn't believe it, wouldn't let anyone slander his wife like this.

But his defense never came. All I heard was his impatient voice.

"Just go upstairs. We'll deal with the rest tonight."

No one gave me room to explain. By then, I was too numb to waste another word on any of them.

They favored Bianca. I didn't care. I packed my suitcase in silence, put everything in order, and waited for the agreement to take effect so I could leave.

That evening, after the negotiations ended, Alessio came upstairs. He saw me folding clothes and suspected nothing. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and nuzzled my neck.

"I refused your parents' demands after the way they treated you today. You're not mad at me, are you?"

The ticklish sensation on my neck made me uncomfortable. I pushed him away, keeping my expression neutral.

"Handle your business however you want. It has nothing to do with how I feel."

Not getting the answer he wanted, irritation flickered in his eyes.

"Then perhaps you should explain the man Bianca says is pursuing you."

"I don't owe you an explanation. You owe me one, Alessio. Who got Bianca pregnant?"

I had no idea where the courage came from. I'd spent our entire marriage accommodating him, never once defying him. I was shaking, but the words left me lighter than I had felt in years.

Alessio's face darkened. He gripped my chin and forced me to look at him.

"When did you find out? I'm warning you, Elena—touch Bianca, and I'll make you regret it."

Thunder rumbled outside the window. The tense atmosphere inside was suddenly shattered by the shrill ring of a phone.

A ringtone reserved for Bianca cut through the room. Alessio released my chin and answered. Bianca's anxious voice came through the line.

"Alessio, my stomach hurts. The thunder is terrifying, and I keep having nightmares. I need you..."

Alessio hung up without looking at me again and walked straight out the door.

I stood by the window, watching the car slowly pull away from the estate. Not a single ripple of emotion stirred inside me.

Then I called the woman who had told me she was my biological mother.

Two weeks earlier, I'd learned that Victor and Margaret were not my birth parents. The Nightingale Family had found me and explained that I was their only direct heir living outside the organization. They wanted me home, but I'd just discovered I was pregnant and had been afraid to upend my life.

But now, there was nothing left in this family worth holding on to.

The call connected, and a warm, steady female voice came through.

"Elena? It's Cecilia Nightingale. Have you made your decision?"

I took a deep breath and answered.

"Yes, Mother. But before I come home, I need your help with a few things."

I asked Cecilia to uncover the full timeline of Alessio's affair with Bianca, along with every crime he had committed while leading the Rossi Family.

This time, I was no longer alone.