On our tenth wedding anniversary, I was trapped in a cabin with my daughter, Sofia Costello, as floodwaters raged outside. With shaking hands, I used the emergency satellite phone to call my mafia husband, Henson Costello, and begged for help.

I dialed more than 90 times before the call finally went through, yet all I heard was the breathy moans of his first love, Angelina Rossi, on the other end.

"Henson...slower..."

Before I could even process the shock of his betrayal, I heard a conversation that sent me straight into hell.

"That kid was dead weight anyway. Trading him for control of Pier 9 was the best deal the family ever made."

It seemed that Leo Costello, my son, who had supposedly drowned at the beach five years ago, had not died in an accident after all. Henson had used him as part of a business deal.

All this time, I had been drowning in guilt for taking him to that beach, blaming myself for the tragedy. I never knew the truth was this cruel.

Tears streamed down my face as my body shook uncontrollably. After ten years of marriage, I finally realized I had never truly known the man I loved and sacrificed everything for.

I picked up my phone again and dialed Vincenzo Moretti's number.

"Vince, I'll marry you. But you have to help me destroy the Costello family from power."

After a brief silence, his voice came through the line. "Aurelia Astor, I've been waiting ten years to hear you say that."

[Aurelia's POV]

"Mommy, where did Daddy go?" Sofia Costello hugged her teddy bear, her amber eyes full of confusion.

I crouched to her level and smoothed her rain-soaked blond curls. "He had something important to take care of, sweetheart."

It was our tenth wedding anniversary, and Henson Costello could not even stay for an hour. We had planned to spend a summer camp weekend with Sofia, but the moment he arrived, a phone call pulled him away.

The storm outside was getting worse, rain hammering against the cabin windows with an ear-splitting fury. The staff had warned us about flash floods, and our area was also at risk for mudslides.

We needed to contact rescue immediately, but all the signals had completely cut out.

My heart sank. I frantically dug through my backpack for the emergency satellite phone and dialed Henson's number with trembling hands.

Once, twice…

I made over 90 calls, each one met with that cold, busy tone.

Sofia finally fell asleep in my arms, tear tracks still streaking her little face. I walked to the window, watching the rain grow even more brutal, and dialed that number one more time.

This time, the call finally connected.

I opened my mouth, ready to say, "Henson, we're trapped. The floodwaters could hit any second."

However, I never got the chance.

A woman's breathy moans came through the line, sweet and obscene.

"Henson...slower... You're hurting me..."

My fingers froze, recognizing that it was Angelina Rossi's voice.

She was Henson's first love.

Years ago, when the Costello family faced a crisis with rival families, she had jumped at the chance to take a job overseas without a second thought. Meanwhile, I had chosen love without hesitation, marrying Henson when he had no power and no status.

Henson became the Costello family's Don, and our marriage had looked perfect for years.

I never imagined he still could not let go of Angelina, or that his heart had already changed.

My throat tightened, and no sound came out.

"Honey, do you think Aurelia knows about Leo?" Angelina asked casually, her voice thick with satisfaction.

Leo Costello was my son who drowned five years ago at the beach outside our vacation house.

"She doesn't," said Henson calmly. "He was dead weight anyway. Trading him for control of Pier 9 was the best deal the family ever made."

Thunder exploded near the cabin, or maybe it was my heart breaking apart. My knees went weak, and I almost collapsed to the floor. I covered my mouth tightly with one hand, terrified of making even the slightest sound.

"You are really ruthless," Angelina giggled, and her laughter sent a chill through my bones. "But I guess it makes sense. Our son is the real Costello heir, and as for Sofia... She and Leo were both Vincenzo Moretti's kids, right?"

She said it so matter-of-factly, so certain.

"When the time's right, I'll take care of her," Henson cut in, his tone casual. "The Costello family only needs one heir. I won't let any love child taint the bloodline."

She purred, "Poor Aurelia... She'll be devastated when you get rid of her kid."

Henson paused. "She had two kids with another man, and that's an insult to me. Every single day, I pray for those two brats to disappear."

The phone slipped from my hand and hit the wooden floor with a thud.

It finally hit me that Leo's death was not an accident. All this time, I had blamed myself for his drowning, tormented by guilt for years… It turned out Henson had handed him over as a bargaining chip to secure control of the docks.

At that moment, I suddenly understood why he could say such things so easily.

I clenched my fists so hard that blood trickled down my palms, wishing I could drag both Henson and Angelina straight to hell.

Years ago, when the Costello family was in trouble, I had used my connection with Vincenzo to help. I spent three days with him, negotiating how to divide the docks and funnel investment money to Henson.

When I told Henson about it, he had been understanding, saying gently, "I trust you. You did this because you love me, and I'll never forget what you sacrificed for me."

At this moment, his actions made it crystal clear that he had never trusted me at all. Both of my children's paternity had been called into question.

I had to thank Angelina for answering that call and letting me hear the truth.

I picked up the phone again and pressed 'dial'.

"Vince," I said, my voice raw and rough. "I'll marry you. But you have to help me. I want the Costello family wiped off the face of the earth."

The line went silent for a few seconds. Then, his deep, husky voice came through. "I've been waiting ten years to hear you say that, Aurelia. In three minutes, my rescue helicopter will be at your location."

He paused before adding, "This time, I'm not letting you go."

My phone buzzed.

Angelina had sent me a photo of her hand resting on her slightly rounded belly, a triumphant smile on her face.

[The Costello family needs a legitimate heir, not like that drowned mongrel of yours.]

I stared at that photo as all my grief turned to ice-cold fury in an instant. It was their turn to die.

I held Sofia in my arms as Vincenzo’s men escorted us back to the estate where I lived.

"Seven days from now, I will come get you. Have your valuable things ready," he said on the phone.

I hung up and started packing.

The first thing I took was Mom's emerald necklace and the Astor family trust fund papers. Then, I got my passport, bank cards, and the hidden evidence I had kept for years.

I moved fast and packed everything into an ordinary-looking suitcase.

Sofia was asleep upstairs, unaware that I would soon be taking her away.

Just then, the sound of keys turning in the lock echoed from the foyer.

Realizing that Henson was home, I quickly kicked the suitcase under the bed and got up, walking out of the bedroom. He stood there in a crisp suit, holding a bouquet of white roses.

"Baby." He came up and wrapped his arms around me from behind. His warm kiss landed on my neck, right where the Costello family tattoo was, a rose with thorns.

"I'm sorry about the camp trip. I shouldn't have left you two. Thank goodness you're both okay," he said gently.

His embrace used to make me feel safe, but after what I heard, it just made me sick. I caught the scent of sweet jasmine perfume on him, Angelina's signature fragrance.

My stomach churned. I wanted to throw up, but I forced myself to stay composed. "It's fine," I said, turning to take the roses. "Family business comes first."

He stared into my eyes, as if searching for something.

I kept my smile.

We had been married for 10 years, and I used to feel safe beside him. After hearing what he and Angeline talked and did, though? All I had left was pretense.

He caressed my cheek and whispered, "You must've been terrified."

"It was alright. Sofia was brave."

"That's good." He kissed my forehead. "I'm going to take a shower."

I watched him walk into the bathroom, my fingers digging hard into my palms. Before long, my nails broke through the skin, and the pain kept me alert.

This was not the time to alert him, because I needed to wait patiently and ensure they all paid the price.

Just then, Henson's phone rang. It was lying on the bed, and I saw the name "Honey" flash on the screen. I stared at the word, and my heart went cold.

The ringtone kept going, and the sound of running water in the bathroom stopped.

I turned to leave, but it was already too late.

Henson rushed out in his bathrobe and grabbed the phone. His voice was laced with urgency as he asked, "What's wrong?"

I could hear Angelina crying. "Henson... She sent people to threaten me... They said they'd make me disappear from New Anchester... I'm so scared... I'm carrying your baby..."

Henson's expression changed instantly. He looked up, his eyes sharp like daggers. "Was it you?"

"What?"

"Don't play dumb!" He lunged at me, grabbing my shoulders. "You sent people to threaten Angelina! Where did you take her?"

"I didn't..."

A sharp slap landed across my face. My head whipped to the side, and my lip split open, the taste of blood flooding my mouth. I clutched my face, staring at him in disbelief, my expression full of shock.

He looked at me, a flash of pain crossing his eyes as he moved to embrace me. However, I quickly sidestepped.

We stood in silence, then the phone rang again. Without a word, he turned and left. I held my face, still tasting blood.

I could not wait any longer, desperately wanting to leave. So, I rushed to Sofia's room, scooped up my sleeping daughter, and headed from the master bedroom toward the back of the walk-in closet.

There was a hidden door there, a secret passage I had insisted on having installed during renovations years ago.

I opened the door and carried Sofia inside. The passage was narrow, lit only by dim emergency lights, and our shadows stretched long behind us.

As we neared the exit, I breathed a sigh of relief. A hand suddenly shot out from the darkness and clamped down hard on my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" Henson stood there, his eyes ice-cold.

"Let go of me!" I struggled against him. His grip was terrifyingly strong, nearly crushing my bones.

"Why are you trying to leave? You're the Donna of the Costello family. Are you really this upset over Sofia?"

He was furious beyond measure, dragging Sofia and me back out. Then, he hauled us all the way to the underground garage and opened the back door of a black sedan.

He shoved me inside roughly and slammed the door shut. After that, he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine.

"Daddy, where are we going?" Sofia sobbed, barely able to catch her breath. Henson glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

That look was cold and unfamiliar, as if he were looking at a stranger.

The car tore out of the garage and onto the dark streets of New Anchester. I held Sofia tight, my heart pounding hard during the entire ride.

The car stopped at East Harbor. Through the window, I saw the silhouette of a skyscraper. This was a Costello family investment project, but it was not finished yet. At the moment, it was just a skeleton of steel beams and concrete.

Henson got out, and cold wind rushed in as he opened the back door. His eyes were ice-cold as he hissed, "Get out."

"Henson, where are you taking us?" I held Sofia tighter.

Suddenly, he reached in and yanked Sofia from my arms.

"No!" I lunged forward, but two bodyguards emerged from the shadows and pinned my shoulders down hard.

I could only watch helplessly as Henson carried Sofia toward that building with no safety measures in place.

"Henson! She's just a child!"

My voice echoed across the empty waterfront, but he did not even look back.

Sofia struggled in his arms, screaming, "Mommy! Mommy!"

The bodyguards dragged me along behind them. I fought the whole way, my nails raking bloody scratches across their arms, but they did not even flinch.

There were no lights inside the building, only the beams of flashlights cutting through the darkness. Soon, we got into a construction elevator, and the metal door closed with a jarring screech.

The elevator rose to the top floor, where wind blasted in from all directions. There was only the steel and concrete framework, scaffolding suspended hundreds of feet in the air, swaying in the wind.

The river below sparkled with reflected light. From this height, a fall would mean certain death.

Henson carried Sofia toward the edge of the building, and I held my breath. There was a makeshift construction lift there. It was just a few rusted metal plates and steel cables, dangling in midair.

"No..." My voice came out completely hoarse.

He placed Sofia in the lift, her tiny body swaying in the wind.

"Mommy..." She reached out, her eyes full of terror.

I desperately tried to rush forward. However, the bodyguards blocked me and forced me to the ground, my knees hitting the icy concrete.

Henson stood by the lift, his hand gripping the emergency brake lever. His voice was eerily calm as he asked, "Where's Angelina?"

"What?" I looked up, not understanding what he was talking about.

He stated coldly, "Don't play dumb, Aurelia. You sent people to kidnap her. Hand her over now."

"I didn't!" I practically roared. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Liar."

He released the brake lever slightly. The lift plunged, and the steel cables screeched horribly as Sofia's screams tore through the night.

"Mommy!"

The lift stopped about 30 feet down, swaying in the wind.

"I'll talk! I'll talk!" I fell to my knees. "Please, just let her go..."

"Then talk." Henson looked down at me from above.

Moonlight shone on his face, and for a moment, I could not recognize him. Just moments ago, he had been apologizing for leaving us at the camp.

At this moment? No matter how much I begged, he would not relent.

My voice trembled. "I really don't know where Angelina is... Henson, I swear, I don't know anything..."

Sofia's cries grew weaker and more desperate. I crawled toward him, grabbing onto his pant leg.

"Henson, please just investigate first. Don't take it out on Sofia..." Tears blurred my vision. All my pride and dignity were crushed into the ground.

"You think I'd believe you?" He grabbed me, pain flashing in his eyes. I was thrown down, my lips smashing against the concrete.

His voice filled with rage. "Is she even my daughter? Why would you hurt my real child for this mongrel?"

"I didn't!" He completely ignored my explanation, his fingers moving again as the lift dropped once more.

Sofia had stopped crying, passing out from fear. I trembled all over, standing up and staggering toward the edge of the scaffolding.

No matter what, I had to get to Sofia.

"Aurelia! What are you doing?" Henson shouted, his voice changing.

I stepped onto the scaffolding, the rusted metal creaking beneath my feet. I had to climb down to the lift; I just needed to hold Sofia.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed me hard and yanked me back. I hit the ground hard as Henson pinned me down, his arms locked tight around me.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes. "Are you insane? Do you have a death wish?!"

I fought desperately. "Let go! I want to save Sofia!"

"For that mongrel..." He suddenly released me, his voice turning ice-cold. "You really would do anything... So why did you marry me? Why did you act as if you loved me so much?!"

"She is your daughter!" I sobbed.

He yelled, "She's not! She's proof of your betrayal!"

Then, he walked back to the lift, wind whipping through his hair. He looked like a madman.

His voice was carried off by the wind. "Listen, Aurelia. I'm not letting that brat go. You'd better tell me where Angelina is right now."

He paused, looking at the lift suspended in midair, Sofia lying motionless inside.

"Otherwise... I will make her pay with her life."