All Chapters of A Traitor's Debt: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

I trusted my husband of three years. Completely. Until he muttered in his sleep, "My little treasure, Daddy's taking you and Mommy to the new house tomorrow."That's when I knew. He wasn't just cheating. He had a bastard on the way.In the darkness, I made a vow. This heartless man was going to pay.It was 3 AM.Vincent mumbled something in his sleep. I was about to roll over, but then I made out the words."My little treasure, Daddy's taking you and Mommy to the new house tomorrow."I was wide awake.What new house? What little treasure? We didn't have kids. For three years, he’d said he wanted to focus on his career, kept putting it off.A sliver of moonlight cut through the curtains, landing on Vincent’s face. He was sleeping soundly, a satisfied smile on his lips.I quietly reached for his phone.My thumb unlocked it. He never hid anything from me, which made what I found next a special kind of hell.I went straight to his bank transfers.Recipient: Carmen Rodriguez. Amount: $800,0

Chapter 2

"Honey, are you sure you want to go to the party tonight?" Vincent asked, fixing his tie. "If you're not feeling well, I can make your excuses.""I'm fine," I said, applying lipstick in the mirror. "Besides, I want to see your new club. I hear you've got some new faces."Vincent's hands paused for a second before he went back to his tie."Nothing special. Just some new staff.""I heard a girl named Carmen is a real crowd-pleaser.""I don't really keep track of names," he said, turning to kiss my cheek. "Come on, let's go. Don't sweat the small stuff."In the car, I pushed a little more."Vincent, I was thinking we should buy a villa in Malibu. I hear the oceanfront properties are a great investment.""Malibu?" His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "That's too far. The house we have is big enough.""But I've seen so many of our friends buying property there. You can get a nice place with an ocean view for around eight hundred thousand."Vincent almost slammed on the brakes."Eight h

Chapter 3

A few days later, Uncle Dante's call came right on schedule."Carmen Rodriguez. Twenty-four, immigrant from Mexico. Moved into a Malibu beachfront villa three months ago, valued at eight-fifty. Yesterday at 2 PM, Vincent was with her at St. Mary's for a prenatal check-up.""What else?""I got security footage. Vincent putting the diamond necklace on her himself. In the hospital parking lot. They also kissed for seventeen minutes."I hung up and looked at Vincent, still sound asleep. He looked so innocent, so trustworthy."Isabella? You're up early," he said, reaching for me.I moved away. "Hitting the gym. Got an important business lunch today.""With who?""A friend," I said, getting dressed. "I'll make you your favorite pasta for dinner tonight."Vincent smiled. "I married the perfect wife."Two hours later, I was in the VIP section of Lafey's Salon, the best place in the city to pick up high-society gossip."Isabella! It's been too long!" Sarah Wagner, the mayor's wife, walked over.

Chapter 4

"Isabella, what's going on?"Vincent burst through the door, his face a mask of panic. His hair was a mess and his shirt was rumpled, like he’d run all the way home."What do you mean?" I asked, calmly dicing tomatoes for his favorite pasta."My casinos… all my protection is gone. The Torrino family pulled their security. The Benedettis recalled their funding. Even my government contacts are ghosting me." He grabbed my arm. "This can't be a coincidence.""Maybe it's just a business realignment," I said, stroking his cheek. "Don't worry. My father's people will still protect you. I'll always have your back."A flash of hope in Vincent's eyes."Really? Can you talk to your father for me? I swear I haven't done anything to disrespect the Family.""Of course, darling." I fought back the bile that rose in my throat and kissed his cheek. "We're husband and wife. I'm always on your side."He hugged me tightly, like a drowning man clinging to a life raft."Thank you, Isabella. I don't know wha

Chapter 5

Four Seasons Hotel, Presidential Suite.Carmen arrived on time, wearing a pink maternity dress that did little to hide her growing belly. She looked nervous, fidgeting with the designer bag in her lap."Please, sit," I said, gesturing to the sofa across from me."Mrs. Romano, thank you for agreeing to see me.""Call me Isabella. After all, we share a man, don't we?"All the bravado she’d had with her friend was gone. Her face turned red. "I know this is complicated, but I love Vincent, and he loves me. Our baby is a product of that love.""Love?" I let out a soft laugh. "Carmen, do you have any idea what happened at Vincent's casinos yesterday?"She shook her head."He lost all his protection. All his funding. His business is about to go under. He probably won't even be able to keep that villa in Malibu."The color drained from Carmen's face. "That's impossible. Vincent said business was great—""Men like to brag, especially to their mistresses," I said, pulling a file from my bag. "As

Chapter 6

"A paternity test? Why?" Vincent’s voice shook."Since you're questioning the child's paternity, let's let science settle it," I said, guiding Carmen to a sofa. "It's for the best. For everyone."Wiping her tears, Carmen nodded. "I agree. I'll prove this baby is Vincent's!"Vincent opened his mouth to object, but then closed it. Refusing the test now would only make him look guiltier.Dr. Martinez arrived quickly with his equipment."I'll need blood and a buccal swab from both of you," he explained. "The results will be ready by tomorrow."Throughout the process, Vincent was a nervous wreck. He knew the baby was his, which meant his entire performance was about to be exposed as a lie."You seem tense, Vincent," I said, handing him a glass of water. "If the baby isn't yours, wouldn't that be a good thing?""I just don't like all this drama," he said with a weak smile.Carmen stared at him, the love in her eyes now curdling into suspicion and rage.The next afternoon, the results were in

Chapter 7

The dining room was all candlelight and the smell of the dinner Vincent had so carefully prepared. He was in his best suit, a pathetic, pleading smile plastered on his face. You'd never know he was the same cold bastard who’d turned his back on his own kid just yesterday."Isabella, my love." He pulled out my chair for me, all phony chivalry. "I think we need to talk."I took my seat, watching him fuss around the table. The fool really thought he was still running the show, that the crisis was over."You look pleased with yourself, Vincent," I said, taking a small sip of wine. My voice was even."Of course. Because we can finally have a fresh start." He sat across from me, a scheming glint in his eyes. "Isabella, I have to be honest with you. About Carmen… I admit it, she got to me. A man gets his head turned by something new, you know?""Something new?" I repeated the words, a cold smile touching my lips."Yeah, something new. We've been married three years, life needs a little… spice

Chapter 8

The conference room doors burst open and Carmen stumbled in. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with tears and fury. She was clutching a medical report."Isabella! You monster!" she shrieked, her voice cracking with despair. "How could you do this to me?!"Vincent stared at her in shock. "Carmen? How did you—""The genetic report!" Carmen slammed the papers on the floor. "I went to the hospital, Vincent! The report was a fake! It was forged! There's nothing wrong with our baby!"The room fell dead silent.I turned to her, a slow, cold smile spreading across my face. "Looks like you finally put it together.""It was you!" Carmen pointed a trembling finger at me. "You faked the report! You tricked Vincent on purpose!""That's right," I admitted, without a hint of shame. "It was all a setup. A test, to see the kind of man Vincent really is."Vincent looked back and forth between us, horrified. "Isabella… you… this was all an act?""An act?" I chuckled softly. "No, Vincent. Carmen's tears

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