"Leave Bianca out of this!"

"Chloe is your own daughter!" I pushed myself off the wall, my whole body trembling.

Still nestled in his arms, Bianca added timidly, "Scarlett, your first duty is to look after your daughter. If you can't even manage that, how can you be fit to be the Donna?"

I stared at Bianca's sickeningly innocent expression and sneered. "And you think it's fine to abuse your position as Consigliere to hang all over my husband in my own home?"

"That's enough!" Julian cut me off.

Just then, two men in black suits walked in. They were from the family's security team. The one in the lead glanced between us. "Mrs. Hayes? We've pulled the security footage from the main gate regarding your daughter's disappearance."

I immediately stepped forward. "I am! Have you found any clues?"

The security man took out a tablet and played the footage. "Your daughter was here at 4:20 PM yesterday." He paused, his gaze flicking to Bianca. "She got into this woman's car."

Bianca's expression soured, a mask of offense as she turned to Julian. "I ran into Chloe, that's all. She wanted ice cream, so I took her out for a bit. I had work, so I had to leave. I don't know where she went after that..."

"I believe you," Julian said, patting her back reassuringly.

The security team member questioned her, his expression stern. "Ms. Valente, you were the last person to see Chloe before she disappeared. We need you to tell us exactly what you said to her and where you went."

I stared daggers at Bianca. "Speak! Where did you take Chloe?"

A flicker of panic crossed Bianca's eyes. She shrank behind Julian, who stood firm, shielding her. "Bianca is my Consigliere. I trust her. She would never harm a child. Any questions go through me. Don't frighten her."

My heart sank. Bianca clutched her chest, her voice laced with tears. "Julian, I don't feel well. Maybe I'm just exhausted from work..."

Julian immediately pulled her into his arms and snapped at the security team, "You can see she's not well. Wait until she feels better to ask questions!"

"No, she can't leave!" I rushed to the door, blocking their way with my arms outstretched. "She was the last person to see Chloe. She has to know something!"

The security team member frowned. "Mrs. Hayes, we understand, but without a direct order from the Don, we can't hold Ms. Valente."

"You heard him. Move." Julian shoved me aside. I stumbled back, my shoulder slamming into the doorframe.

He left without a backward glance, his arm protectively around Bianca.

After the security team left, I slid to the floor, my back against the doorframe. As night fell, Julian finally returned.

I was waiting in the dark when he returned. I stood, the divorce papers I’d prepared in my hand. "Sign them, Julian. I'll find Chloe myself. After this, we go our separate ways."

Julian's lip twitched. In a blur of motion, he slammed me onto the sofa, the crack of his hand across my face echoing in the silent room. Pinning me with his weight, his eyes blazed with rage. "I gave you everything, Scarlett! Everything! You are mine!"

He gripped my chin, his fingers so tight I thought the bone would shatter. "You want a divorce? Over my dead body!"

My phone suddenly rang. It was the security team. I snatched it up. "Hello? Have you found Chloe?"

"Mrs. Hayes, we've reviewed more footage. We have a new lead. We need you to come to the office."

"Okay, I'll be right there!" I hung up, grabbed my coat, and rushed out. I hesitated at the door, trying Julian's number one last time. Straight to voicemail.

I took a cab straight to the security team's office. The same man from before greeted me. His face was grim. Without a word, he led me to a car. "Come with us to the scene."

The car sped down the highway. The scenery outside became increasingly remote, finally stopping at the entrance to an abandoned industrial pier.

The security man spoke. "A hidden camera at the pier entrance caught Ms. Valente's car. She went in. An hour later, she came out alone. We've sent men to search the warehouses, but it's a maze in there. No sign of your daughter yet."

"What?" A tremor shot through me. I threw the car door open and sprinted toward the pier, screaming her name. "Chloe! Chloe!"