At 4:00 a.m., my husband, Rocco, gently shook me awake.

His voice was a low murmur, . "Alessia, my love, could you do something for me?"

But his next words shattered the illusion. "Scarlett is hungry. Go make her some seafood soup."

Scarlett was our maid, and she was also Rocco's pregnant goomar.

"I just had fresh seafood delivered. Get to the kitchen and make her a bowl of soup. Just for Falcone's heir."

I refused, my voice cold. His anger flared in an instant.

"Don't be so unreasonable, Alessia."

"Is it really so hard for you to make some soup?"

I shook my head, silent.

He stroked my cheek, a patronizing smile playing on his lips.

"Fine, Alessia. So you've learned to defy me now."

"Think carefully, Alessia. Do you really want to keep your place as a Falcone?"

"And your position as the family's lawyer? Think about whether you still want these… then give me your answer."

Seeing the arrogance in Rocco's eyes, the last ember of love I had for this man died.

I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time. "I want out of the Falcone family."

At 4:00 a.m., my husband, Rocco, gently shook me awake.

His voice was a low murmur, . "Alessia, my love, could you do something for me?"

But his next words shattered the illusion. "Scarlett is hungry. Go make her some seafood soup."

Scarlett was our maid, and she was also Rocco's pregnant goomar.

"I just had fresh seafood delivered. Get to the kitchen and make her a bowl of soup. Just for Falcone's heir."

I refused, my voice cold. His anger flared in an instant.

"Don't be so unreasonable, Alessia."

"Is it really so hard for you to make some soup?"

I shook my head, silent.

He stroked my cheek, a patronizing smile playing on his lips.

"Fine, Alessia. So you've learned to defy me now."

"Think carefully, Alessia. Do you really want to keep your place as a Falcone?"

"And your position as the family's lawyer? Think about whether you still want these… then give me your answer."

Seeing the arrogance in Rocco's eyes, the last ember of love I had for this man died.

I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time. "I want out of the Falcone family."

...

The moment I hung up, Scarlett stormed into my private study without so much as a knock.

"Alessia, who was that on the phone? It sounded like a man."

The maid's taunt caught the attention of several other servants outside, who began whispering amongst themselves.

"Rocco just stormed out of here because of you. You'd better not be fooling around behind his back!"

I looked Scarlett straight in the eye. "What gives you the right to be so bold in the Falcone estate? Spreading rumors in this house has consequences."

Scarlett placed a hand on her hip and sneered. "You dare say I'm telling lies? Why don't we wait for Rocco to come back and see who he believes?"

I shot her a glare and turned to leave, but she grabbed my wrist.

She leaned in close to my ear, her voice a low, threatening whisper. "I'm warning you, Alessia. Be smart and leave Rocco. His heart is mine now!"

"If you know what's good for you, you'll walk away with nothing."

"Otherwise, when I'm the one kicking you out, it won't be nearly this simple."

The shamelessness of worthless people never ceased to amaze me.

As if a scheming maid could do anything to me.

Just as I tried to shake her off and leave, she deliberately threw herself down the spiral staircase.

Her timing was perfect.

Rocco walked in right at that moment.

It seemed I had truly underestimated her.

A loud thud, followed by Scarlett's weak cry of, "Rocco, help me…" caught his attention instantly.

He shoved me aside without a second glance, sending me stumbling just as I reached the top of the stairs.

He didn't even ask what happened. He just assumed it was all my fault.

"Alessia, what are you doing? How could you be so vicious?"

I stumbled and hit a carved marble pillar. Blood immediately trickled from a new cut on my forehead.

Clutchching my dizzy head, I had no time to defend myself before Scarlett launched into her tearful accusation.

"Rocco, Mrs. Falcone told me to organize the family files on the floor. I was a little slow, so she pushed me!"

"My stomach hurts so much. Is our baby going to be okay?"

He was instantly consumed with concern for her, completely falling for the pitiful act she was putting on.

He completely ignored the blood trickling down my forehead and the bright red handprint on my cheek.

Rocco knelt beside Scarlett, his brow furrowed, his voice tight with an urgency I'd never heard before.

"Where does it hurt? I'm calling the family doctor right now."

"Don't worry. Our baby will be fine."

Scarlett leaned against his chest, but her eyes were fixed on me, full of a taunt I couldn't ignore.

"It's all my fault. I can't even do such a simple thing right."

"Mrs. Falcone has been under so much stress lately, working so hard for the family. I should have been more understanding."

"If it makes her feel better, a little suffering is worth it. I just feel bad for my baby…"

"So because she's stressed, that gives her the right to attack a pregnant woman?"

Rocco spun on me, his eyes filled with a chilling disappointment.

"Alessia, when did you become so vicious?"

I touched my wet forehead, my fingertips instantly stained with warm blood.

In five years of marriage, I had handled the family's legal wars and cared for his dying mother.

Legal or illegal, I had given my money, my energy, my everything for him.

And in the end, all I got in return was to be called vicious.

"I didn't push her."

I fought to keep my voice steady, to hold back the sting in my eyes.

"The security cameras on the staircase recorded everything. Check the footage and you'll see the truth."

Scarlett's face went pale in an instant.

She clutched Rocco's suit jacket. "Rocco, I've already forgiven Mrs. Falcone. Let's just drop it."

"It's such a small thing, there's no need to check the cameras. It wouldn't look good for the family if word got out…"

Rocco slowly stood, looking down at me.

"Alessia, I don't care what the footage shows. I saw what you did. Apologize to Scarlett. Now."

I had to laugh. He saw it with his own eyes?

He was lying through his teeth.

I knew he wouldn't defend me, but my heart still ached as my voice began to tremble. "Rocco, are you really going to stand there and twist the truth like this?"

"I know exactly who's twisting the truth. Scarlett is gentle and helpless. She wouldn't dare frame you, the lady of this house."

"You, on the other hand… your dislike for her is no secret."

Looking at the man I had loved for eight years and been married to for five, now he was frighteningly unfamiliar.

But it didn't matter anymore. I was already prepared to leave.

Fine. I would give in. I didn't have the energy to fight anymore.

"I'm sorry."

Hearing my quick apology, Rocco paused for a second, a flicker of something softer crossing his face.

But Scarlett immediately tugged at his sleeve, her voice weak and pleading, "Rocco, I'm still in so much pain. Could you help me to the room?"

His moment of hesitation vanished as he gently helped her up and led her away.

I leaned against the cold marble pillar for a long time, until the blood on my forehead dried into a dark crust.

Three hours later, I received a text message: "Mrs. Falcone, five million dollars was transferred from your account by Mr. Falcone."

For years, I had handled hundreds of millions in legal transactions for the family, not to mention countless multi-million dollar money laundering operations.

In the end, my personal cut was zero.

How ironic.

Ignoring the throbbing pain in my forehead, I stood up and called Rocco.

He let it ring three times before he finally answered, his voice crackling with impatience.

The call connected on the third ring. "Alessia, my love," his voice was a warm purr, "You know I'm busy. I hope the call is more important than what I'm doing right now."

I cut straight to the point. I had decided to leave, but I wasn't about to give up my hard-earned money.

I had earned it.

"Rocco, that five million dollars. That was my personal cut."

"I've invested it," he said, his tone patient, as if explaining something to a child.

With woman giggled in the background, he continued, "A stake in a new Vegas casino. Think of it as compensation for Scarlett."

"An apology isn't enough for what you did, Alessia. You know that. "

"Actions have consequences. I've defended you time and time again, but you went too far. "

"This is a chance for you to be mature. The money is still working for the family. You should be happy about that."

For a moment, I was speechless, but mostly, I found my own blind loyalty laughable.

"Have you forgotten about the port control rights and the money laundering channels I secured for the family?"

"What right do you have to squander the money I earned?"

"Alessia," his voice dropped, becoming a low, intimate growl. "Your body, your money and your very thoughts, they all belong to me. Did you forget that?"

I heard Scarlett murmur something in the background, asking in a playful, teasing voice, "So, what about my body? What do you think of it?"

Rocco chuckled, "It's exquisite, but be quiet for a moment. I'm calming my wife."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "What if I told you I'm pregnant, too?"

The line went quiet for a few seconds.

Then Rocco's voice came through.

He sighed, a sound of weary patience. "Alessia, my love, I know how much you want a child. We both do. But that isn't a reason to invent fantasies. You should get some rest."

"I can't believe you'd invent something like that just for money. "

"But if you're so desperate for money, fine, I'm not completely heartless."

A notification popped up on my phone.

A transfer of one thousand dollars. Not even enough to cover one of Scarlett's dinners.

I quietly hung up.

My hand trembled as I reached into my purse, my fingers closing around the pregnancy test I'd hidden there for days.

Two distinct pink lines.

I had thought the same, that I was broken forever after the bullet meant for him had taken our child and my ability to conceive.

But a sudden bout of morning sickness last week, which I'd mistaken for the flu, had led to a miraculous discovery.

Since you only want her child, I thought, a bitter resolve hardening in my chest, then I'll take mine and disappear.

Not long after, I got a call from Scarlett.

She chuckled, a smug delight in her voice. "Dear Mrs. Falcone, you didn't know, did you?"

"The night you had your miscarriage surgery three years ago, do you know where Rocco was?"

The hand holding the phone began to tremble.

"Rocco was with me all day. He took me out on his private yacht, and at night we watched the city lights from a helicopter."

"Oh, and I forgot to mention, Rocco bought me a pink helicopter for my birthday."

"What can I say? Rocco told me he treats me like a queen."

My phone slipped from my palm and crashed onto the floor.

It was only after Scarlett told me all this that I finally understood.

That night, as I lay bleeding and in agony on the operating table, Rocco's phone was turned off.

While the doctor was telling me I could never be a mother again, he was promising to buy his maid a helicopter.

"Why so quiet?" Scarlett's voice grew sharper. "Did you really think you were so important, Alessia?"

I wanted to hang up, but then I heard Rocco's voice in the background. "Sweetheart, who are you talking to? Come here."

Then I heard Scarlett's voice, feigning innocence. "Oh, I was just talking to myself, Rocco. I was just wondering..."

"If Alessia ever found out about what happened three years ago, I hope she wouldn't be too angry with you."

"She might be," Rocco's voice was full of casual confidence.

"For a little while. But she'll get over it. She can't live without me."

Rocco's voice was full of confidence, as if he held complete control over my fate.

"Alessia has always been obedient. This time will be no different."

I quietly hung up, my heart turning to cold ash.

But on second thought, he was right.

For the past five years, I had forgiven his every betrayal, his every humiliation.

But this time was different.

I went into the study and began gathering the legal documents that needed to be destroyed before I left.

As I opened a drawer in my desk, I froze.

The sealed dossier was gone.

Inside was months of my painstaking work: a complete file of evidence detailing the rival family's smuggling routes and tax evasion schemes.

And only Rocco knew the combination to my private safe.

Just as I was about to call and confront him, my phone buzzed.

Scarlett had sent a photo.

She was posing in Rocco's office, holding up my dossier with a triumphant smirk.

The caption read: "Rocco said I needed a proper contribution to be accepted by the family. Isn't this a wonderful welcome gift?"

A moment later, she sent her location: the Falcone family's penthouse.

It was a blatant declaration of war.

To get back what was mine, I drove to the penthouse.

I knocked three times before Scarlett lazily opened the door.

"Well, well. If it isn't Alessia. What brings you here so late?"

She wore a black lace nightgown that was more air than fabric, and she reeked of Rocco's signature cologne.

"Where's Rocco?"

"The Boss is in the shower. Do you need something?"

I could hear the water running in the bathroom. I looked her straight in the eye, my voice like ice.

"Give me back the file. That's my work."

Scarlett laughed as if I'd told the funniest joke in the world.

She patted the dossier sitting on the coffee table, her eyes overflowing with smugness.

"Your work? Rocco gave this to me. He said it would be my ticket into the family. What does it have to do with you?"

She took a step closer. The nightgown slipped, revealing fresh love bites on her shoulder and neck, each one a knife in my heart.

"Besides, when has Rocco ever taken back a gift he's given me?"

The water in the bathroom stopped.

Rocco walked out in a bathrobe, his hair still dripping. His face darkened when he saw me.

"Alessia? What are you doing here?"

His eyes lingered on my disheveled state. "It's cold in here. Why aren't you wearing more?"

Scarlett's smile tightened for a second, a flash of anger in her eyes at Rocco's concern for me.

Then she threw herself into his arms, pouting. "I thought it was room service. I didn't expect your wife. She just barged in and scared me."

I walked right up to Rocco and pointed at the dossier on the table. "Rocco, I spent six months gathering that intelligence. What right do you have to just give my work to someone else?"

"That was our key to destroying the Morettis," I said, my voice quiet. "You know what it represents."

"I know you're the one who did the work. You're brilliant, no one denies that," Rocco said, his gaze flickering away.

"But Scarlett needs a way to prove her worth, a bargaining chip to be accepted by the family. Just let her have it. It's for the good of the family."

"For the good of the family?" I couldn't help but laugh, my heart feeling like it was being ripped apart.

"Five years ago, you begged me to find a way to cripple our rivals. You swore my mind was the family's greatest asset."

He sighed, looking at me with exasperated patience, as if I were being unreasonable again.

"Alessia, stop it. If you're not satisfied, I can compensate you. What do you want? Money again? You're really never satisfied."

"I'll have the driver take you home, and transfer more money to you later."

"I'm not going home." I stared into his eyes. "Give me back my file."

"Honestly, Mrs. Falcone," Scarlett fanned the flames from the side, "it's just one dossier. You're being so petty. No wonder so many people find you difficult."

"Shut up. This isn't your place to speak."

My murderous tone startled Scarlett, and she shrank behind Rocco.

Rocco's face darkened completely. "Alessia, are you just here to make trouble?"

Looking at this despicable pair, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Rocco, you know what that file meant for my career and our power."

His gaze easily dodged mine. He wasn't looking at me. "Don't keep harping on this. The lady of the family should be more gracious."

"If you want another project, I'll have the men find you something else to work on."

"Do you think I care about another project?" I forced a smile, but my eyes filled with tears.

I lunged for the dossier on the table, determined to take back the product of my blood and sweat.

Scarlett suddenly shrieked, "Rocco! She's trying to take away my gift! She's trying to hit me!"

"Help! She's trying to hurt me and the baby!"

Rocco grabbed my wrist, his grip tight enough to crush bone. "Alessia! Don't test my patience!"

I ripped my arm from Rocco's grasp.

"Fine," I said, my voice hollow and dead. "Let her have it. But we're getting a divorce."

Rocco's face went rigid. "Absolutely not," he snarled, the charming facade gone.

"Don't even think about it. Once I have my heir, I will be a better husband to you. You just need to learn to control your jealousy and wait."

"But I don't want to wait," I said, turning my back on him for the last time.

Without waiting for his reaction, I turned and left the apartment.

Behind me, I heard Scarlett's sweet laughter. "Darling, she's finally gone."

"Now, where were we? About the baby's name..."

I walked quickly out of the apartment building.

A storm had broken while I was inside.

The cold rain hit my face, a chill seeping into my bones.

Five years of marriage, so easily erased.

I didn't want the file anymore. And I didn't want Rocco, either.