At my wedding rehearsal dinner, a photo of me and my fiancé’s older brother—naked in bed—was displayed in front of everyone.

I said it was a setup.

Jason, my soon-to-be husband and the Don of the Vale, said, “I trust you.” He erased the footage—and married me anyway.

For two years, he kept me hidden while my stepsister, Nerissa, stood beside him in public.

He said it was to protect me—so I believed him.

I believed him even when the rumors said he was sleeping with her, even when he introduced her as his Donna… until today, when I found them in bed together.

Jason didn’t even stop kissing her when he saw me. “Do you like this anniversary gift, Alina?”

That was when I finally understood— Jason had never believed me—and the reason he still married me wasn’t love. It was punishment.

Alina’s POV

My Don boyfriend, Jason Vale, married me after seeing a naked photo of me with his own brother. It was fake—and I thought he knew that. But today, as I caught him in bed with my step-sister, I finally understood—Jason had never believed me, and this marriage was never about love. It was punishment.

I had just returned from shopping for Jason and my wedding anniversary dinner when I heard it—a low, breathless moan drifting from the master bedroom.

It was sharp, unmistakable and intimate.

My steps froze.

For a split second, my mind scrambled for explanations—any explanation—but every single one collapsed into the same truth.

The man in that room could only be my husband, Jason.

I moved slowly down the hallway, my pulse loud in my ears. The bedroom door wasn’t fully closed, just slightly ajar, leaving a narrow gap.

And through that gap—

I saw her, Nerissa, my stepsister, straddling on top of Jason, their bodies tangled together as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.

“Jason… oh, Jason…” she breathed, her voice soft and eager.

The next moment, he flipped her beneath him, his voice low and rough as he moved against her, “How come Alina never this interesting in bed.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed the door open, nearly shouting at Jason, “What the hell are you doing!”

Jason looked unbothered at all, he didn’t even get off from Nerissa, just coldly said, “What? You can sleep with my brother and I cannot do it with yours?”

The memory hit me all over again. The rehearsal dinner before the wedding, what should have been a slideshow of childhood photos turned into humiliation when a naked picture of me in bed with his older brother, Dominic, was shown in front of everyone.

Anyone who knew us should have known it made no sense. Yes, Dominic and I grew up together. Yes, our families were close. But none of that mattered once the image appeared.

I explained to Jason. He said almost nothing, only had the photo taken down, silenced the room—and still married me the next day.

And I thought that meant he believed me.

But clearly… he never did.

“I didn’t!”

Jason let out a quiet, mocking laugh. “You think I believed you?”

He finally pulled away from Nerissa and told her to leave. She slipped past me without a word, like I wasn’t even there.

Then it was just the two of us.

Jason shrugged into a robe and walked toward me, “Of all days, today is the day I hate you the most. Do you know that, Alina?”

He reached out and pinched my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “You know how much I hated Dominic, how he could take everything from me without even trying—Even on my wedding day, my own bride became the topic because of him.”

“That picture was fake,” I said, my voice steady as I slapped his hand away. “And you knew it.”

“Did I?” Jason sneered. “All I remember is how close the two of you were. Wine tastings. Talking about studying abroad. All those long conversations.”

His eyes darkened. “And you’re telling me nothing happened?”

I stared at him—the man I had loved since I was eighteen… no, even before that, and realized something terrifying, I probably didn’t know Jason at all.

“If you didn’t believe me,” I said quietly, “you could’ve called off the wedding. Why go through with it? Why marry me, lie to my face for years… and cheat on me with Nerissa?”

“What’s the fun in not marrying you?” Jason turned away, walking to the cabinet as if this conversation bored him. He poured himself a drink, unhurried. “I needed your family’s backing back then. And I needed a way to punish you.”

He took a slow sip, then glanced back at me.

“And don’t think I’m an idiot. If we weren’t married, that would’ve given Dominic a chance to have you.” His voice turned colder. “That’s not something I’d allow either.”

So that was it. Jason went on with the wedding for power, kept me for punishment, and caged me out of jealousy.

Something inside me went completely still.

The past two years finally fell into place. Those rumors about Nerissa and Jason… The whispers from the maids—that she was the real Donna of this house, and I was nothing more than a convenient choice to make Jason look like a responsible man.

At first, I questioned it. I did. But Jason convinced me that after what happened before our wedding, he had no choice but to keep Nerissa close.

To protect me, he said. The family needed a united front. If I stayed out of sight for a while, the rumors would fade faster. Nerissa would draw the attention away from me until everything died down.

So even though I was never close to Nerissa—and hated the thought of another woman standing beside my husband—I still believed Jason and went along with his plan.

“I want a divorce.” I said it.

The next second, Jason turned, glancing at me, “Why you think you will return home just to catch me and Nerissa?”

Even me finding out all of this was his plan?

“Why today, of all days? Because besides me and Nerissa being your gift, Alina, there’s another one. I signed the contract to sell your mother’s casino—today. Your father knew. He’s the one who pushed for it.” Jason laughed like he was telling a joke, “So even if you walk away from me, you leave with nothing. And without me… you’re just a broke, disgusting woman—the one who cheated with her husband’s brother the night before her wedding.”

He walked to the door, then paused. “Now that you know everything, Alina, babe… your punishment officially begins.”

Then he left.

The room fell into silence.

My breathing turned shallow, too fast, like I couldn’t pull in enough air.

Jason had never believed me. Even marrying me had been part of it—punishment, control, using me until there was nothing left.

And my father… Ever since my mother died, since he brought Nerissa and her mother into our home, things had changed between us. But I never imagined he would agree to sell my mother’s casino, the only thing she left me.

How could he?

It felt like my whole world had flipped upside down.

But one thing became painfully clear.

I had to leave. Leave Jason. Leave all of this.

My hands trembled as I grabbed my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t touched since my mother’s funeral.

“I’m Alina Dacosta. You knew my mother… You said you could help me.” I swallowed hard. “I need that favor now. I want you to get me out of New York—and make me disappear.”

Alina’s POV

When I walked into the dining room for breakfast the next morning, Nerissa was feeding Jason bread, the two of them looking like a couple who had just fallen in love.

I suppose now that I’d seen the truth, they didn’t even bother to hide it anymore.

“There’s a family gathering with my family and yours. You’re coming,” Jason said, barely sparing me a glance before turning back to Nerissa and kissing her.

My eyes burned.

“I’m not in the mood,” I said, forcing the words out.

His hand, resting on Nerissa’s cheek, stilled for a second.

“Your father asked for you specifically,” he replied coolly. “I assume you don’t want to upset him.”

My fingers curled into a fist. “…Alright.”

“Good.”

He stood. Nerissa followed. As they walked out, Jason paused at the door. “Wear something decent. Have you looked at yourself lately?”

Nerissa giggled softly. “Where would sis even get a dress or jewelry now? Her mother’s casino is gone.”

The words landed like a slap.

The casino had been handed to Jason when we married. And now that he’d sold it, there was nothing left for me.

Jason’s tone shifted, light again. “Who cares. Speaking of dresses, want to go shopping today? That boutique on Fifth Avenue?”

I felt my nails dig into my palm, sharp and grounding—but not enough to dull the sting of his words.

“Ow, stop spoiling me,” Nerissa pouted, rising onto her toes to kiss him again.

I sat down after they left, just staring at the bread in front of me without touching it.

I had prepared for this. I had already decided to leave.

But it still hurt. God, it still hurt.

In all the years I’d known Jason, he had never looked at me the way he did now—like I was someone beneath him, something that disgusted him.

“Mrs. Vale, would you like a glass of milk?” a maid asked gently.

Her voice pulled me back.

I forced a small smile and shook my head.

…

I spent half the day clearing out my wardrobe.

I couldn’t make it obvious for Jason to notice anything, so I left most of it untouched. I only packed a few simple things I had bought myself.

By the time I finished, it was almost six.

Voices drifted up from downstairs. When I stepped out, I saw Nerissa twirling in a beautiful dress, the fabric flaring around her as she spun in front of Jason. He watched her with a smile—one I used to think only belonged to me.

“You love it that much?” he murmured, pulling her into his arms. “More than me?”

Nerissa laughed softly, looping her arms around his neck. “Why don’t you take me to bed and I’ll show you how much I love you?”

Jason glanced up—and our eyes met.

Then he smiled, like it meant nothing, and scooped her into his arms. “Not so fast, babe. We have a dinner party first. After that… I’m all yours.”

A moment later, the car roared to life outside and sped off.

Which meant I had to go to that dinner alone.

I changed into something simple. I hesitated, then left my hair down and kept my makeup light before heading out.

I hadn’t driven myself in a long time. Jason always had a driver assigned to me.

But today, there was no car. No driver. No one.

I paused for only a second before walking out to the main road and flagging down a taxi.

…

My father had always valued punctuality.

So when the taxi got stuck, I told the driver to stop and decided to walk.

I thought, how hard could it be? But I’d forgotten how far it was.

By the time the gates of the Dacosta mansion came into view, it was already seven.

I pushed the door open.

The chatter inside stopped instantly.

In the living room, my father stood with a glass in his hand. Jason was beside him, his hand resting on Nerissa’s waist.

No one found anything strange about how close Jason and Nerissa were— not even my own father.

“Alina,” my father said, his brows pulling together, “even for a family dinner, you should know how to prepare and arrive on time. Jason and Nerissa have been here for a while.”

I barely had time to open my mouth.

“Maybe because Alina doesn’t go out much these days,” Nerissa said lightly. “She probably forgot how long it takes to come home.”

I hadn’t expected Jason and Nerissa to be so boldly intimate—just like they were when they humiliated me in my own home, and now they were doing it again in front of my father and the rest of the family.

The nausea rose so fast I had to press my lips together. “Excuse me.”

I turned and walked straight to the guest bathroom.

By the time the wave passed, my hands were cold against the sink.

I opened the door quietly.

Two maids were standing just around the corner, whispering.

“Is that him? The Don of Vale?”

“Yes! He’s so handsome, right?”

“And Miss Nerissa is his Donna? They look so good together.”

“Shh!” one of them hissed. “You’re new. Mr. Vale’s Donna is Miss Alina. Not Miss Nerissa.”

“But…” the other lowered her voice, “why does Miss Nerissa look more like it? And they come here together all the time. I’ve never seen Miss Alina come home with him.”

My steps faltered. No wonder no one in that room looked surprised.

“I heard,” the first maid continued in a whisper, “that Mr. Vale takes Miss Nerissa everywhere because… Miss Alina shamed him once. She cheated on him—with his own brother. The night before their wedding.”

A sharp ringing filled my ears.

“Oh… then why did he still marry her?” the other maid asked softly. “Shouldn’t he have called it off?”

“I think because Mr. Vale valued promise? He’s a good man.” She lowered her voice. “Still… I think Miss Nerissa suits him better, don’t you? She’s loyal, beautiful, smart. Miss Alina…She’s always so quiet. Cold. I’ve never even dared to speak to her.”

Their voices faded as they walked away.

I stood there, frozen.

So this was the story everyone believed. That I had cheated. That I deserved everything happening to me now.

Jason—the man who humiliated me—had somehow become the generous one, the man who married the woman who betrayed him.

And Nerissa…The one who saved him.

I bit down hard, the taste of blood sharp on my tongue.

My back hit the wall, and slowly, my body slid down until I was sitting on the cold floor.

I didn’t know how to name what I was feeling. Only that I needed to leave. As soon as possible.

But the man I had called yesterday said I had to wait three days.

Three. Just three, Alina. You can endure this. After that, you can walk away. You can leave all of this behind.

I whispered the words to myself like a promise.

After a few minutes, I pushed myself to my feet and headed toward the dining room.

Alina’s POV

After dinner, my father called me into his study.

He didn’t even wait for me to sit down before he exploded. “Why can’t you be more like Nerissa? Sweet, sensible—easy to get along with.”

His words came fast, sharp.

“You’re already married, and I still have to clean up after you? I even have to help you keep your own husband happy? I thought after what happened at your party, you would’ve learned something. But no—you still show up and make everyone uncomfortable.”

I sat down quietly, saying nothing.

He kept going. “Jason told me you want a divorce. What were you thinking? Hasn’t he treated you well all these years? Hasn’t he helped this family?”

I let his words settle, then spoke. “So even if I know he’s sleeping with Nerissa, I’m supposed to pretend I don’t and stay with him?” My voice was steady. “Is that what you want for me, Papa?”

A flicker of surprise crossed his face—but not shock or guilt.

Father knew all too well about Jason and Nerissa, but he had done nothing. If anything, he was just as complicit—if not worse.

My chest tightened.

Father looked away for a moment, then said, almost impatiently, “If it weren’t for that incident before your wedding… You should be grateful he’s still willing to stay. Nerissa makes him happy—so let her. You still have everything else. You’re still his Donna. That’s what matters.”

The chair scraped loudly as I stood.

“These days, I don’t even recognize you anymore,” I said, my voice trembling. “If Mom were here, she would never allow this in the Dacosta family.”

Father shot to his feet. “She’s not here anymore, is she? She’s dead. And now you listen to me. Jason and his family have influence in New York’s mafia circle—we need them.”

A bitter laugh slipped out. “So that’s why you handed him Mom’s casino? Just to please him?”

My father’s face flushed deeper. “Like I said—if you knew how to keep your husband happy, I wouldn’t have had to! Why did you have to sleep with another man like a whore? Why do I always have to clean up after you?”

The room spun.

I could endure the others misunderstanding me—even Jason. But hearing it from him… from my own father… It felt like something inside me was burning.

Before he reached the door, my voice came out low, barely steady. “You knew that casino was the only thing Mom left me. You knew what it meant to me, Papa… you shouldn’t have…”

“You will go back home,” he cut me off sharply. “You will behave. You will do whatever Jason says—because you owe him that much.”

The word owe echoed in my ears as he stormed out.

Jason had said the same thing.

I owed him—so I had to accept the humiliation.

I owed my father, the Dacosta name—so I had to sit quietly while they stripped me of everything, including my dignity.

But did I really owe them anything?

That picture was fake. I had never slept with Dominic.

But obviously, no one cared. They were too busy turning me into the villain, too eager to believe I was the one who had ruined everything.

The nausea surged again.

I barely made it to the bathroom before I threw up, my body shaking with it.

When I finally looked up, all I saw was my reflection—pale, hollow, barely recognizable.

A thought flickered in the back of my mind.

But in that moment, I didn’t know if I should feel relieved… or terrified.

…

I walked back home.

Nerissa was right—I had stayed inside for so long, I’d forgotten how far New York streets could stretch.

It took me nearly an hour and a half to reach the neighborhood.

On the way, I stopped at a drugstore and bought a pregnancy test. I tucked it deep into my purse, then continued toward the Vale mansion.

Before I even reached the door, I heard voices.

When I got closer, I saw a team of men carrying furniture inside.

Nerissa sat on the sofa like she owned the place. She glanced at me, then smiled—a slow, mocking curve of her lips.

“Jason said I’m moving in tonight,” she said lightly. “So you should probably take the guest room. And I’ve already had your things moved out.”

Ever since I found out about them, I hadn’t stepped into the master bedroom anyway. Whether she moved in or not… it didn’t matter.

…

Sleep didn’t come easy.

Noise bled through the walls—soft at first, then unmistakable.

The guest room was close enough to the master bedroom for me to hear everything.

Every time Nerissa’s voice rose, something twisted violently in my stomach, like I might throw up again.

Jason knew exactly what he was doing. He knew me, knew where to press, how to hurt.

In just two days, he had turned me into a stranger in my own home.

Good for you, Jason. I hope you really love her. Because if all of this is just to hurt me… then you’re more pathetic than you think I am.

The noise didn’t stop until dawn.

I didn’t even try to sleep after that. Instead, I got up and went to the bathroom, taking the pregnancy test with me.

I stared at the box for a long moment, hesitation tightening in my chest.

Then I opened it.

The sooner I knew… the better.

I sat on the stool, waiting, my fingers gripping the edge of the sink. My mind drifted back to the early days of our marriage.

I remembered how I’d told Jason I wanted a child—and how he turned me down, saying we were still too young. Every time, he reminded me to take the pills after we had sex.

Now, thinking back on it, the truth felt painfully obvious.

If Jason really believed I had betrayed him, he would never have wanted my child.

The signs had always been there. I had just refused to see them.

The timer went off.

My hand trembled as I reached for the test.

Positive.

I was pregnant.

I drew in a slow breath, but my heart only raced faster.

For a brief second, the thought crossed my mind—should I tell Jason?

After all, he was the father.

But just as quickly, his voice echoed in my head. “How do I know the child is mine? You’re a cheating whore, remember?"

I squeezed my eyes shut and shook it away.

My hand moved to my stomach, pressing gently against it. “Baby…” my voice softened, almost breaking. “How about we run away together?”

I swallowed, holding onto the thought like it was the only thing keeping me steady. “Mommy will find us a place. Somewhere safe. It’ll just be you and me.”