At the celebration where Lorenzo Alvarez is crowned the new mafia boss, his men arrange a few performances.

A dancer in a backless top and short skirt twists around the pole under the lights.

"Don't look," he murmurs, covering my eyes with his hand. "This kind of cheap entertainment isn't worthy of you."

His men jump in immediately.

"Lorenzo still spoils Ms. Valenti after all these years. That kind of devotion is rare. We're so jealous."

"A man as loyal and single-minded as Lorenzo is hard to find."

I rest a hand on my belly, planning to tell him tonight that I am pregnant.

But when I return from the restroom, I see the same man who had just held me in his arms leaning back in his chair while the dancer straddles his lap.

Lorenzo slips his business card and a thick fold of cash into the waistband of her skirt.

He laughs, relaxed and unbothered. "Isabella is wonderful, sure, but life needs a little passion. This ragazza is just something new. A bit of fun.

"Keep your mouths shut. Don't go running to Isabella and upset her. Otherwise, you'll have a problem."

Cold rushes through me. I do not approach or confront Lorenzo. I simply take out my phone and answer the email I have been avoiding for days.

"I agree to participate in the confidential experiment."

"Ms. Valenti, congratulations. You have passed the screening for the confidential experiment. If you join the program, you'll need to travel to Silvercrest, and your domestic identity will be erased. Are you willing to participate?"

I had planned to refuse. Lorenzo had always loved me as if I were his entire world, and at that moment, I was carrying his child. I had thought we would finally have a peaceful, happy family.

But it seemed that was no longer true.

Once the dancer finished her routine, Lorenzo's men called for her to stay and have fun with them.

Lorenzo had stepped forward with a scowl dark enough to silence the room.

"What are you doing here?" His voice had been low, cold, unmistakably Don-like. "How many times have I told you not to show up in front of my wife?"

The woman's eyes had reddened as she threw herself into his chest. "I couldn't reach you. I felt so uneasy. Lorenzo, I'm pregnant."

"What?" Lorenzo had lit up with genuine delight. "That is incredible. I finally have a child of my own."

His men had erupted immediately.

"Auguri, Lorenzo. Congratulations, Donna."

Hearing that, Lorenzo's expression hardened. "Watch your mouth. There is only one Donna, and that's Isabella. Capisce?"

He had shaken his head, almost amused. "Isabella is wonderful, certo, but after so many years together, everything's become a little too calm.

"As for this ragazza, she's just something fresh. Only for fun. Keep your mouths shut, and do not upset Isabella.

"If you do, you'll have to answer me. Because Isabella matters more than my life."

In that instant, everything inside me had gone cold.

A message had arrived. "Ms. Valenti, the experiment lasts for five years. Your current identity will be erased, and you'll receive an entirely new one. No one will find you, not even your family. Are you certain?"

I went quiet for a few seconds, then answered with steady resolve. "I'm certain."

"Understood. We'll book your flight for next week. The moment you depart, we'll erase your identity."

I recomposed myself, returned to the private room, and found Lorenzo pretending nothing had happened. The dancer was still on stage, swaying under the lights.

When he saw me, he stepped forward with concern. "Where were you for so long? Are you not feeling well?"

The mix of liquor on his breath and another woman's perfume had made my stomach twist.

He patted my back and rushed to explain, "The guys cheered since she danced well. They insisted we have a few drinks with her, and I did try to stop them.

"I only had a few drinks, but I did not get close to her. Right? Tell her."

His men had answered instantly, trained like Soldati.

"Of course, Donna. Lorenzo stayed far away. He was afraid you would be upset. You must not misunderstand him."

Their polished performance felt pathetic. I realized I had been kept in the dark for far too long.

"Only drinking? Nothing else? Why does she look so disheveled?" My voice had been quiet.

Lorenzo's expression shifted, and he snapped at the dancer. "Get out now! Do not stand here and offend my wife."

She had shot us one unwilling glance before leaving.

Lorenzo had turned back immediately, trying to please me.

"Someone like her is not worth a second of your attention. Don't be angry, dolcezza. No one can compare to you."

I stayed silent and gave no reply.

On the way home, my phone buzzed. The ticket confirmation had arrived.

Lorenzo had glanced over sharply. "What is that? Who messaged you?"

I deleted it at once. "Nothing. It's spam."

As if trying to cover his guilt, he kept explaining. "You can relax. You're the only woman in my life. I wouldn't spare another one a glance."

His deep devotion had only made my stomach tighten further.

A moment earlier, he had been celebrating another woman carrying his child. Now he was the picture of a perfect husband.

I took a deep breath and stared at him. "Is that so?"

"Of course. I'll only ever love you."

I looked at him directly. "Do you remember what I asked you the day we married? I asked what you'd do if you ever cheated."

Lorenzo had hit the brakes hard. He looked at me in a panic and quickly reassured me.

"My love, I'd never do anything to betray you. I swear on the honor of the Alvarez famiglia that I'll never be unfaithful.

"If I ever betray you, may an enemy crew gun me down in the middle of a firefight as punishment for breaking your heart."

He studied my expression, uncertain whether I knew something.

I turned away and looked out the window at the passing crowds.

"Don't be nervous. I only wanted to see if you remember your promise. Lorenzo, I want to see the northern lights in Frostholm Isles."

We first met in Frostholm Isles, so I wanted to end everything there as well. To finish where it began. To close the circle with one final trip.

Lorenzo let out a long breath of relief, fully convinced that jealousy was the only reason I had asked him that question. He smiled, thinking he still understood me.

"Alright, my love. Whatever you want."

Once we got home, Lorenzo pressed me against the wall and kissed me with impatient hunger. The scent of cigars mixed with another woman's perfume hit me hard, almost making me gag.

I pulled away. "I don't feel well. I want to take a shower."

Lorenzo lowered his voice at once. "Alright. I'll warm some milk for you. Before you sleep, I'll give you a massage."

His phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and a flicker of conflict crossed his face.

"There's a small issue with the famiglia's business. I need to step out. I'll massage you when I return."

I looked at him for several seconds. He grew nervous and touched his nose.

"Never mind. I won't go. Staying with you is more important."

"It's fine. Go. I'll wait."

I decided to give Lorenzo a chance. If he had stayed, everything would have turned out differently.

Even knowing where he was going, I still held onto a faint, foolish hope.

I went downstairs and quietly followed him. He did not return to his company. Instead, he drove to the coast.

At the doorstep of the seaside villa he once bought for me, the dancer appeared. She ran forward and threw herself into his arms.

Lorenzo immediately pushed her away. "Marjorie, I told you not to come looking for me right now."

She looked at him with trembling, pleading eyes.

"It's raining, and I'm afraid of thunder. Can you stay with me tonight? The doctor said emotional stress affects the baby. The heartbeat could stop."

Lorenzo hesitated for a moment, then pulled her into his arms with a helpless sigh.

"Madonna mia. I can never deal with you." His voice was indulgent. "Next time, do not show up without my word.

"My wife is starting to get suspicious. You know I love my wife. If she finds out, she'll leave me. I cannot let that happen."

The irony was cruel. Lorenzo was holding another woman while declaring how much he feared losing me.

Watching them embrace through the window made my chest ache until I could barely breathe. I turned away and went home. I knew he would not return that night.

The next morning, after Lorenzo came back, the first thing he did was pull me into his arms.

He smelled of shower gel, clearly trying to wash away someone else's scent. It did not work. The overeager tenderness only proved his guilt.

This time, I did not push him away. I quietly said my goodbyes in my heart.

I packed my things and prepared to leave.

"Where are you going so early?" he asked.

I looked at him calmly. "To apply for a visa."

His expression shifted instantly, as if something precious was slipping through his fingers.

"A visa? What for? Where are you going?" He grabbed my hand, his face twisted with the fear that I might disappear.

I stared at him. "Why are you so nervous?"

Unease flickered in his eyes. His lips trembled as he tried to maintain composure.

"Did we not say we would go to Frostholm Isles together?" I said coldly. "Why are you sweating?"

"Right. Yes. We are going to see the northern lights together." He wiped his forehead. "It's warm here."

He exhaled deeply, his shoulders loosening. He kissed my cheek. "Come on. I'll drive you."

For the next two days, Lorenzo acted strangely attentive. He skipped every social engagement, came home on time, and even cooked for me himself.

That afternoon, he presented me with a necklace worth millions of dollars in front of the entire company.

"You look stunning in this," he said proudly. "You really are my beautiful wife."

His men chimed in.

"Donna, Mr. Alvarez treats you so well. That necklace is a limited edition. He went through a lot to get it."

"You're so lucky. Mr. Alvarez is handsome, wealthy, and completely devoted."

Their praise washed over me like cold water.

Later, while Lorenzo was in the shower, his phone buzzed with a string of message alerts. I did not want to look, but I still reached for it.

The lock screen password was still my birthday.

My nose stung. Tears fell before I could stop them.

How could Lorenzo claim to love me while being so intimate with someone else?

Marjorie had sent him a photo of her pregnant belly. "Lorenzo, the baby and I miss you. I know you only love your wife, but I love you too. We both do…"

He replied, "Be good. I'll visit you when I have time."

Lorenzo had even bought her a necklace to make it up to her. One that cost twice as much as mine.

Right after that, I received an anonymous message. Marjorie did not introduce herself, but I knew who the sender was.

She sent photos of every gift Lorenzo had bought for her. One picture showed the two of them standing in a maternity store, picking out baby items together. He looked genuinely happy.

"Lorenzo said the baby in my belly will become the heir of the Alvarez famiglia."

I ignored her, but she grew even bolder, flooding my phone with messages. I turned off my phone as I did not want to see her texts anymore.

Although I already knew the truth, every message still felt like a blade stabbing straight into my chest. I couldn't stop crying.

At least this betrayal would be over soon. Once I left Frostholm Isles, I would disappear.

The next morning, Lorenzo and I arrived at the airport. Just as we reached the boarding gate, Marjorie sent a new message.

"I heard you two are traveling? Going back to where you first met?

"You think returning there will make him remember his old feelings and choose you again?

"How naive."

Her mockery stirred nothing in me. I replied, "None of your business."

But she pressed on. "Why don't we see who Lorenzo will choose in the end?"

The next moment, Lorenzo's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and realized it was Marjorie.

"Lorenzo, my stomach hurts so much. The baby might be in danger… Can you take me to the hospital?"

He ended the call and looked at me, torn and conflicted. "Isabella, there is an urgent problem with a business partner…"

"Are you going back?" I cut him off, disappointment rising like a weight in my chest.

He pressed his lips together and finally nodded. "I'm sorry, Signoria. This collaboration is worth billions. You don't have to wait for me. Go to Frostholm Isles first, alright?"

I took a long breath. My last hope trembled, holding on by a thread.

I tightened my grip on the boarding pass. "Lorenzo, I'll ask you one last time. Are you coming with me?"

He looked at me quietly. Silence was the answer.

I let out a faint, bitter laugh and released his hand. "If you walk away now, we will never see each other again."

He frowned, thinking I was overreacting. "Don't be difficult. I'll be right behind you.

"Board first. I'll switch to an afternoon flight. It won't take long. I'll come to you the moment I finish."

He turned to leave, still instructing me as if nothing was wrong.

"When you arrive, message me. Stay in the hotel and wait for me, capisce?"

He left me there.

As Lorenzo drove along the road outside the airport, a deafening explosion echoed across the sky. He instinctively looked up.

The plane bound for Frostholm Isles exploded midair, breaking into pieces.