Alina’s POV

Jason came by the next day, saying they were hosting a final party at the casino tonight. I hadn’t planned to go, but then Jason mentioned my mother have left something in her office.

He and Nerissa went ahead together. I took a taxi and went alone.

The casino felt different the moment I stepped inside.

It was no longer open for business. The lights were dimmer, the air quieter—like it already belonged to someone else.

I was about to head toward my mother’s office when a waiter approached me.

“The Don asked me to take you to the auction.”

“I don’t need that,” I said calmly. “I just came to collect my mother’s things. I’m her daughter.”

The waiter hesitated, then lowered his voice. “Miss… the Don specifically asked for you. He won’t be pleased if I return alone.”

In the end, I followed him.

I would just find another chance to go to my mother’s office later.

The waiter led me to the top floor—the ballroom.

Nerissa was already there, clinging to Jason like she always did, whispering something into his ear.

When I walked in, a few heads turned. Some people looked at me strangely. Others watched with open curiosity, as if waiting to see what I would do.

“Please sit here,” the waiter said as he guided me all the way to the back. “The front row is reserved for Miss Nerissa and the Don only.”

I sat down at the cold seat.

The auction began.

One item after another—paintings that used to hang in the casino, vases, decorations. Pieces of a place that had once meant everything to me.

Jason was selling it all, piece by piece.

“Now,” the host announced, his voice echoing across the room, “for our final item of the evening.”

The lights dimmed.

Then, suddenly, a spotlight snapped on— Right on me.

Every head turned.

A few men laughed under their breath, their eyes crawling over me in a way that made my skin crawl.

“Miss, would you please stand?” the host said smoothly. “Our final item tonight is Miss Alina Dacosta. The bidding will start at—”

He paused, frowning at his card. “Excuse me… is this correct? One dollar?”

The next second, the large screen behind him lit up— That photo, the one of me and Dominic.

The room erupted into whispers.

“Isn’t that Mrs. Vale?”

“The Don really put her up like this?”

“I heard she cheated on him before their wedding—with his own brother. Disgusting.”

“See that woman beside the Don now? That’s the real Donna. As for that whore… the Don probably just kept her because he was a responsible man.”

Their voices pressed in from every side.

I stared at the photo, my hands curling into fists.

Even if it wasn’t my body, I still felt stripped bare, put on display for everyone—forced to endure their disgusting stares.

A man suddenly leaned in too close. “How about I check if you really look that good under your clothes before I place a bid?”

I shoved him back. But he didn’t stop.

“Playing innocent now?” he sneered. “After all that?”

My gaze snapped toward Jason.

Do something. Anything. Just… not this.

But he didn’t even look at me. He leaned back against the sofa, Nerissa in his arms, letting her feed him a sip of wine like none of this mattered.

A hollow laugh tore out of me. “You are really an ass, aren’t you, Jason Vale?” My voice shook. “My mother treated you like family… and this is what you do? Let them shame me in her casino?”

I turned and ran, not stopping until I reached my mother’s office.

My hand hovered over the handle. “I’m sorry, Mom…” I whispered. “For everything that’s happened…”

I pushed the door open. Everything was just as I remembered. Only now, it was all covered in dust. No one had touched this place in years.

I walked inside slowly, my fingers brushing over the desk, the shelves… trying to decide what I could take with me.

In the end, all I found was a pen she used to keep.

I held it tightly and slipped it into my purse.

“Alina… what do you think your mother would say if she knew how far you’ve truly fallen today?” Nerissa’s voice cut through the silence.

I turned.

She stood in the doorway, the light behind her casting her face in shadow.

“She wouldn’t say anything,” I answered quietly. “Because she trusted me.”

Nerissa let out a soft laugh as she walked in.

“No,” she said lightly. “She’d be heartbroken. A shameless whore… and her daughter just the same.”

Slap.

My hand struck Nerissa hard.

Her head snapped to the side. “You dare hit me?”

“Guards!” she called, and two burly men appeared at the door. “Hold her.”

I couldn’t fight them. They seized my arms, locking them tight at my sides.

Nerissa walked over slowly—then slapped me hard across the face. “You dare to hit me? Have you even looked at yourself in the mirror?”

Another slap followed. “Alina, have I ever told you what a failure you are? My mother won over yours… and now I’ve won over you.”

My eyes locked onto hers. “My mother is dead. She didn’t lose—”

“Oh,” Nerissa smiled, almost pitying, “you still don’t know.”

Her voice softened, but her words cut deeper. “I’m Papa’s biological daughter. Not just some stepdaughter.”

For a moment, I couldn’t even breathe.

“And your mother knew,” she went on. “A long time ago. I think that’s what broke her. I remember she came to our house once… just sat there, looking at me and my mom, then left.”

She let out a quiet laugh. “Imagine how that felt. The proud Donna realizing she was never the one Papa truly loved.”

“You’re proud of that?” I said coldly. “That your mother was a mistress?”

Her smile vanished.

“The one who isn’t loved is the extra.” Her eyes flicked over me slowly. “And you, Alina… you’re the extra in your own marriage too.”

She leaned in slightly. “Jason stopped loving you a long time ago.”

A small smile curved her lips. “I was the one who helped him heal, made him believe in love again.”

“He’s all yours,” I said, meeting Nerissa’s gaze. “Jason. Papa. Take them both. I have no interest in fighting over worthless men.”

“No interest,” she scoffed, “or you know you don’t stand a chance?”

She turned and left. The two men shoved me to the floor.

My ankle hit hard. Pain shot up my leg, sharp enough to make my breath catch.

Just then, my phone rang. “The car’s ready. Black one. Turn left when you exit through the back door.”

Everything replayed in my mind—Jason, Nerissa, my father, the humiliation.

This place. These people.

Mom had once told me to be a patient predator. When you’re hurt, you retreat. You heal. And then you strike when they least expect it.

I clenched my jaw and pushed myself up.

I would come back.

And when I did… I would make them regret everything they’d done to me.