Chapter 1

I watched that clip over and over, ten times in total. In it, Luca Salvatore's gaze on Cindy Newton's belly was more sincere than the look he had when he swore his vows to me in the church five years ago.

The screen went dark, reflecting my numb face. At that moment, I had to admit that the man who once swore he would never betray me was gone.

The bedroom door opened. Luca walked in, exhausted. When he saw me, the gloom in his eyes softened instantly. "Why aren't you asleep? Didn't I tell you not to wait up?"

He walked over, leaning in to kiss me out of habit. But I turned my head, and his lips brushed my hair instead.

"I just woke up," I replied lightly. My gaze fell on the faint smear of foundation on his shirt collar.

Luca's hand froze midair, then withdrew as if nothing had happened. He sat beside me and said, "Xandra, I'm sorry. The senior members of the family have been putting pressure on me lately. I've neglected you."

Before, I would've reached out and smoothed his furrowed brows. But now, the scent of Cindy's perfume lingering on him made me sick.

"Is that so?" I stared straight into his eyes.

His gaze flickered for a second but quickly steadied. "Of course. Xandra, trust me. Everything I'm doing is to protect our family. That's why I have to be the Don."

What a noble excuse. To protect me, he has to have a child with his sister-in-law?

"Go take a shower." I cut him off. I didn't want to hear any more.

When Luca came out of the shower, he lowered his head and kissed me. "Xandra, I've missed you."

He pushed me onto the bed, rough and urgent. "Xandra, only with you can I feel like I'm just myself, not some damned Don."

For a fleeting moment, I was dazed, as if I saw the young man from years ago, the one who only had eyes for me.

But suddenly, his phone rang abruptly. It was the special ringtone set for Cindy's calls.

Luca's body stiffened. The desire in his eyes vanished instantly. He glanced at his phone, his expression changing at once.

"What is it?" I asked, though I already knew. My voice was so calm that it even surprised me.

As he hurriedly got dressed, he quickly explained, "There's a problem with the shipment at the docks. I have to go deal with it in person. You should sleep. Don't wait for me."

What a perfect excuse.

Previously, I would've believed him without question and lay awake all night worrying about his safety.

"Is it serious?" I looked at him.

"It's a little troublesome, but I can handle it." He gave me a quick kiss on my forehead and got up. "Go to sleep. Don't wait up. Have the bodyguards watch the doors and windows."

The heat of his touch hadn't even faded, yet his heart had already flown to another woman.

"Luca," I called out just as he was about to leave.

He paused and turned back. "What is it?"

"Once something important is lost, you can never get it back, right?"

He was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled, assuming I was worried about the shipment.

He rubbed my head and said, "Xandra, you should trust my abilities." With that, he left without looking back.

Through the window, I watched as his cab sped toward Cindy's house. I let out a bitter laugh. Turning around, my gaze fell on our wedding photo from five years ago.

Back then, Luca was still just the overlooked second son of the Salvatore family. He had held my hand and swore, "Xandra Caprese, you are the most important person in my life. If I ever have to choose between you and the Salvatore family, I would rather destroy the family."

Those vows now were nothing more than a reckless joke of youth.

Since he had chosen his family and the "heir" in Cindy's belly, it was time for me to make my choice too. I took out my phone and contacted my father, George Caprese, whom I hadn't spoken to in five years.

Back then, George had strongly opposed my marriage to Luca. But for love, I had cut ties with my family, hidden my identity, and married Luca in secrecy. I played the role of a docile wife for five years.

Now, it was time for the daughter of the Caprese family to return home.