That was it.

Four words, and somehow they hurt more than the bullet inside my body.

Memories flooded my head instantly.

Years ago during a hunting trip, I scratched my finger slightly on a broken branch and Xander nearly lost his mind. He carried me all the way back home. Forced three doctors to stay overnight just to monitor me.

Another time I got a fever and he sat beside me for two straight days without sleeping.

“Lory,” he whispered back then while kissing my forehead, “if something ever happens to you, I’ll fucking lose my mind.”

Now I was dying. And he picked someone else without hesitation.

The poison spreading from the bullet wound started hitting harder after that. My body curled up painfully against the bed while agony ripped through me. It felt like knives were tearing through my veins. Blood spilled from my mouth onto the sheets while I gripped the blanket so tightly my fingers cramped.

Was this death?

Honestly, maybe dying would finally let me rest. Maybe I wouldn’t have to hurt anymore.

Just as my consciousness started fading again, I heard footsteps rushing inside.

“The second antidote’s ready!”

Someone immediately lifted my head and forced the bitter medicine down my throat. Slowly, the pain began easing enough for me to breathe again.

When I finally opened my eyes properly, Xander was standing beside my bed.

For once, he actually looked guilty.

“Lory...” His voice sounded rough. “I...”

“No.” My voice came out hoarse and weak, “There’s nothing left to explain.”

Xander stared at me silently.

And for the first time since we got married, I saw uncertainty in his eyes. Like he suddenly realized something was slipping away from him.

“I had no choice,” he muttered quietly. “Claudia was in worse condition and I thought you could hold on longer.”

I looked at him blankly. Did he even hear himself?

“You thought I could survive,” I whispered. “So you abandoned me first.”

His face tightened immediately. “Don’t say it like that.”

“Then how should I say it?”

Silence.

Finally, I turned my face away from him. “I’m tired, Xander.” And I meant it.

Tired of crying, tired of begging, tired of loving someone who kept choosing another woman over me.

Xander stood there for a long time.

Then eventually, he sighed quietly and left the room.

The moment the door closed, I slowly touched my chest. It was strange. I thought it would hurt more.

But honestly, my heart was starting to feel numb now.

...

The next few days passed quietly.

My shoulder slowly healed, but whatever was left inside me kept dying little by little.

The staff whispered outside my room constantly because everyone knew Xander stayed beside Claudia day and night. Feeding her personally. Helping her shower. Sleeping beside her hospital bed. He barely left her room.

Anna came in one morning carrying my medicine with swollen red eyes. “Mrs. Moretti,” she whispered softly. “It’s time.”

I took the medicine silently and drank it in one go.

It tasted disgusting but it still wasn’t as bitter as my life.

...

A few days later, the annual Mafia Oath Ceremony finally arrived. It was one of the biggest events inside the Golden Lion Empire.

Every major mafia family attended. The heads of syndicates. International partners. Politicians secretly tied to the underworld.

It was tradition for Xander and his wife to stand together during the ceremony as the king and queen of the empire.

Anna helped me dress slowly because my shoulder still hurt badly.

When I finally arrived at the grand hall, my footsteps stopped cold.

Claudia was already standing beside Xander.

Wearing the black diamond dress reserved for me.

My place.

One of the older mafia advisors immediately looked horrified. “Boss... this breaks tradition,” he said carefully. “Mrs. Moretti is supposed to stand beside you during the oath.”

Xander didn’t even look bothered.

His cold eyes swept toward the man. “Since when do I need permission for who stands beside me?”

The entire hall instantly fell silent. Nobody dared speak again because everyone knew Xander Moretti could destroy entire bloodlines with one order.

“Xander,” Claudia said excitedly while looking around the massive hall, “can I light more candles? This place looks kinda dark.”

Xander looked down at her with that soft expression I hated seeing now. “Do whatever you want, baby.”

She laughed happily and grabbed several long ceremonial candles from the altar table. The older mafia bosses looked uncomfortable but nobody dared speak.

Then suddenly Claudia bumped one of the giant oil lamps by accident.

Crash!

Fire exploded onto the black curtains instantly.

People started shouting.

“Fire!”

“Move!”

The flames spread across the wall terrifyingly fast while guards rushed in with extinguishers. Thankfully the fire got controlled quickly, but part of the ceremonial hall was already burned black.

Smoke still filled the air while everyone stared in horror.

One of the senior mafia advisors immediately stepped forward angrily. “Boss, this hall represents the entire Golden Lion Empire. Somebody has to answer for this.”

Another leader nodded. “This can’t go unpunished.”

The pressure in the room shifted immediately.

Everyone knew Claudia caused the fire. Everyone saw it but nobody dared say her name.

Xander stayed silent for a long moment then slowly, his cold eyes turned toward me. Suddenly I understood everything.

No.

No way!

“Lorraine caused the accident,” Xander said calmly. “She’ll take responsibility for it.”

My entire body went cold. I stared at him in disbelief. “What...?”

The room became dead silent.

Xander walked toward me and grabbed my wrist tightly before lowering his voice enough that only I could hear. “Claudia can’t handle punishment like this,” he muttered. “She’s emotional already and if I blame her now, she’ll pull away from me again.”

I actually felt my heart crack hearing those words.

He continued quietly, almost patiently. “Lory, just help me this once more, alright?”

Once more.

How many times had I already sacrificed myself for him?

My voice shook violently. “Aren’t you scared I’ll completely give up on you someday?”

Xander smiled faintly like my words meant nothing. “You won’t.” The confidence in his voice hurt worse than screaming would’ve. “We grew up together,” he said softly. “You love me too much to leave me. You won't even last a day. Just wait a little longer until I’m done with Claudia and everything’ll go back to normal.”

Normal?

What part of this was normal anymore?

I looked at the man standing in front of me and suddenly felt exhausted.

...

That night, Xander publicly announced my punishment.

Three days.

I was chained outside the Golden Lion headquarters as a warning to everyone.

And nobody dared object. The heavy chains wrapped tightly around my wrists and body, locking me against the massive front gates of Golden Lion headquarters while icy wind hit me nonstop.

A giant black sign hung above my head.

I DESERVE PUNISHMENT.

People gathered constantly outside the gates staring at me like I was some criminal.

“Isn’t that Mrs. Moretti?”

“I heard she almost burned down the oath hall.”

“Boss Moretti personally ordered the punishment.”

The humiliation was unbearable and it only got worse. Some people started throwing trash at me.

Rotten fruit, alcohol bottles, food scraps and even human pee.

One man threw a rock so hard it slammed against my forehead. The pain exploded instantly and warm blood ran down my face. I bit my lip hard to stop myself from crying out.

By the third night, my body finally gave up. My vision blurred heavily while voices echoed around me.

Then I heard Anna screaming desperately. “Mrs. Moretti!”

When I woke up again, I was back inside the Moretti mansion. A doctor had already bandaged my wounds but my body still ached everywhere.

Honestly, my heart hurts more.

The bedroom door suddenly opened and Xander walked in carrying a bowl of soup. For once, he actually looked concerned.

“Lory, I had them make mushroom soup for you. You need strength after what happened.” He reached out to touch my face gently but I turned away immediately.

The atmosphere instantly changed.

“Don’t start this again,” he muttered impatiently. “I already explained why I did it.”

I stayed silent.

He sighed heavily. “You’re alive, aren’t you? Nothing serious happened in the end.”

That sentence finally killed the last tiny piece of hope inside me.

My voice came out quiet. “Get out.”

Xander frowned immediately. “What?”

“I SAID GET OUT!”

The room turned silent. He stared at me for a long time like he couldn’t understand what was happening. Like he genuinely expected me to still wait for him forever no matter how badly he hurt me.

Finally, irritation flashed across his face. “Fine,” he muttered coldly while standing up. “Keep acting like this then.”

Then he walked out.

…

A few days later, Xander came back to my mansion again. And for the first time in months, he actually looked happy. Not the cold fake smile he used around business partners, just real happiness.

It hurt me instantly because I already knew it had nothing to do with me.

He walked toward me while loosening his tie casually. “Lory, Claudia’s birthday is coming up.”

I stayed quiet.

“She wants to be Mrs. Moretti for a day.”

My fingers froze slightly. Xander didn’t notice, or maybe he did and simply didn’t care anymore.

“She wants the full thing,” he added calmly. “Your closet, your diamonds, the seat beside me at the birthday gala. Your wedding ring. She wants to experience what it’s like being my wife.”

My wife.

I almost laughed because was I even his wife anymore?

Xander crouched slightly in front of me while his voice softened. “I’m close to finally getting her completely, Lory, so just let her have this one thing, alright?”

One thing.

Everything had already become hers. My place, my husband, my home, even my dead children’s ashes.

What was left for me to lose now?

So I smiled softly. “Okay, I hope both of you stay happy forever.”

Xander looked surprised immediately like he expected another fight or another breakdown.

His brows furrowed slightly while staring at me, and for one brief second, something in his eyes almost looked uncertain then it disappeared.

The excitement returned again.

“Good,” he said quietly. “I knew you’d understand me eventually.”

...

On Claudia’s birthday, the entire Moretti estate looked like a royal wedding. Luxury cars lined up outside while mafia leaders arrived carrying gifts worth millions.

The media stayed outside the gates hoping for even one photo of the mysterious woman Xander Moretti was publicly obsessed with.

And Claudia?

She walked down the staircase wearing my black diamond gown while my wedding diamonds rested around her neck. Even my wedding ring sat proudly on her finger.

She looked thrilled.

Meanwhile I stood nearby wearing a plain black servant dress because Claudia wanted “the full experience.”

Honestly, I felt nothing anymore. Maybe my heart finally died for real.

“There,” Claudia said happily while sitting beside Xander’s seat at the head table. “Now this finally feels right.”

Then she looked at me lazily and snapped her fingers. “Tea. And make it properly this time, okay? I’m not interested in drinking burnt garbage on my birthday.”

I walked over silently and poured it for her. The moment the cup touched her lips, she frowned dramatically. “Ew. What the hell is this?” she complained loudly. “Are you trying to burn my mouth because you’re jealous?”

Before I could answer, she suddenly threw the tea straight at me. The burning liquid splashed across my chest and hands instantly, and pain stung my skin immediately.

Several people nearby froze awkwardly. Claudia only rolled her eyes and laughed softly. “God, you can’t even serve tea properly. No wonder Xander got tired of you.”

My hands trembled slightly from the pain. Still, I lowered my head quietly. “I’m sorry. I’ll make another one.”

Honestly, even my own voice sounded dead now.

Claudia clicked her tongue dramatically. “You’re seriously so depressing lately,” she sighed. “Can somebody teach her how to smile already? She’s ruining my birthday mood.”

Then she leaned happily against Xander. “I get it now,” she laughed smugly. “Power really does feel addictive. Honestly, I kinda love having people obey me too.”

Xander chuckled softly and pinched her cheek gently. “As long as you’re having fun.”

I stood there silently while watching them flirt in front of hundreds of people. At some point, I stopped feeling embarrassed... it was just exhaustion now.

...

Later that night after most guests left, Claudia wrapped her arms around Xander’s neck dramatically. “Fine,” she teased softly. “Since you’re so hopelessly obsessed with me, I guess I’ll finally say yes to us. I'm your girlfriend now.”

Xander looked at her intensely. “Yeah?”

“But you have to promise you’ll only love me from now on,” Claudia added while smiling playfully. “No more caring about other women just because they’re familiar.”

The room suddenly felt suffocating because I already knew his answer before he even spoke.

Xander didn’t hesitate. “I swear.”

My chest still hurt hearing it anyway.

He kissed her hard right in front of me like I wasn’t even there. Like I wasn’t his wife of over ten years.

Claudia laughed breathlessly while he pulled her against him. “Baby,” she whispered shyly while glancing toward me, “your wife’s still standing there. This is kinda embarrassing for her.”

Only then did Xander finally remember I existed.

His expression shifted slightly. “Lory,” he muttered casually without even looking embarrassed, “go back to your room.”

I turned around quietly and walked out while their laughter continued behind me.

The bedroom doors slammed shut a few seconds later while Claudia’s giggles echoed through the hallway again. Soft whispers followed, mixed with Xander’s low voice and more laughter.

Every sound stabbed straight into my chest.

Strangely enough, I didn’t cry. Maybe I was too broken now.

By the time I reached my room, Anna already looked panicked seeing my face. “Mrs. Moretti...”

I waved weakly. “Leave me alone for a little while.”

She hesitated before nodding quietly and leaving with the others. The room finally became silent.

I walked slowly toward the mirror and stared at myself.

I barely recognized the woman staring back.

Pale skin. Dark circles. Empty eyes. When did I start looking this lifeless?

A shadow suddenly appeared silently behind me.

One of my family’s guards. The only people still loyal to me.

I turned around slowly and saw a female corpse lying beside him. Same height. Same body size.

For a moment, my breathing stopped.

It was finally time.

The guard knelt immediately. “Everything’s prepared, Miss.”

My voice came out strangely calm. “The car?”

“Waiting outside the city already. Safe houses are arranged too. Once tonight ends, Lorraine Moretti will officially be dead.”

Dead.

I looked around the mansion quietly.

This place held every beautiful memory I ever had.

Xander carrying me into this room after our wedding. Kyle and Cora sleeping between us during thunderstorms. Late nights wrapped in his arms while he whispered he’d love me forever.

What a cruel thing memories were.

I touched the bed gently, followed by the couch beside the window where we used to watch sunrise together after sleepless nights.

Back then he looked at me like I was his entire world. Now I couldn’t even recognize that man anymore.

“Let’s go,” I whispered softly.

I changed out of the servant dress into simple plain clothes. No diamonds. No luxury. Nothing connected to Xander anymore.

The guards placed the corpse carefully onto the bed while flames quickly spread across the curtains and furniture after they started the fire.

Smoke filled the room almost instantly.

Outside, a black car waited quietly in the darkness.

I got inside slowly.

Before the doors closed, I looked back one final time at the giant Moretti estate.

The golden cage that ruined me.

Fire blazed higher and higher behind us, swallowing the mansion in flames while somewhere inside another wing of the estate, Xander Moretti was too busy buried inside Claudia to realize his wife was already gone.