Soda
My husband, Matteo Bellini, runs New York's underworld.
Everyone said I hit the jackpot when he married me.
On our wedding night, right after we made love, he brought in Aria.
She was a custom-made AI maid worth millions.
Matteo said she had the most advanced lie-detector system in the world.
One lie, and I would pay.
He kissed me. "My mother betrayed my father. He told me women are all liars. I want to believe you're different, but you have to prove it."
From that day on, Aria became my living nightmare.
Every time she said I was lying, I got punished. Even when I told the absolute truth.
It was always hard slaps and the cold water cell.
I cried and begged him. I swore I would never betray him.
Matteo just looked at me with cold eyes. He said his expensive AI never made mistakes.
To him, I was just a liar.
Then came the family yacht party in international waters. For once, Matteo brought me and Aria along.
I've had severe phobia of water since I was a kid.
I stared into the pitch-black ocean. I clutched my aching chest and shook my head in pure terror.
Aria pulled up her cold data screen.
"The madam is in perfect health. She is only throwing a tantrum."
Matteo's face went cold. He grabbed my arm and dragged me to the edge.
"Still lying! You're jumping today!"
The moment I hit the water, my heart felt like it exploded.
The pain tore through me. I couldn't breathe.
My vision faded to black, but his voice cut through the wind:
"This will teach you the price of lying to me!"
Tears of blood rolled down my face.
Matteo, I'm dead now. I'll never make you mad again.