Elena

My throat burned, not just from his grip but from the anger clawing its way out.

I clenched my hands into fucking fists, my nails digging into my palms, grounding myself.

“You’re really a shocker, Lorenzo, I’ve cleaned up your messes, lied to the authorities, and covered for you more times than I can count. Don’t you dare make me feel like I'm not good enough to be your wife!.”

He smirked, a cruel twist of his lips.

“You should understand Katherine is more than just an old friend. She’s leverage, a symbol. Her father controls the northern territories, and his loyalty doesn’t come cheap. You’re the one who always talks about strategy. Well, this is strategy.”

My chest heaved, and I fought the urge to slap the smug expression off his face.

So he was keeping her close for a power grab?

Before I could respond, a knock echoed through the room.

“Are you expecting-”

My words hung in the air as the door creaked open, revealing Katherine.

She wore a tight white dress, the kind designed to seduce any man she met.

Ignoring me, she strode into the house and ran into Lorenzo’s arms like he was a fucking single man.

“Lorenzo!” Katherine exclaimed.

My mouth twitched in irritation but what came next felt like a hot slap to my face.

Lorenzo hugged her back, his hands resting on her waist as he murmured something I couldn’t hear.

But what I could hear loud and clear was the sound of my own heart breaking, followed closely by the quiet fury rising in my chest.

Katherine pulled back slightly, her arms still looped around Lorenzo’s neck, and finally turned her gaze to face Me.

Her smile widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, Elena. I didn’t see you there. It’s so sweet of you to let me join the trip. I know how much Lorenzo wanted this to be special.”

There are certain times when you think through your decision and conclude murder isn't such a bad thing after all.

But I had more to lose, so I forced a tight smile, my nails digging into my palms so hard I nearly drew blood.

“Of course,” I said, my voice as calm as a storm about to unleash its wrath.

“Anything for Lorenzo.”

“You’re such a good wife,” she said, turning her attention back to Lorenzo. “I don’t know how you found someone so understanding.”

“She is, isn't she?” Lorenzo smiled back and I felt suffocated.

Katherine glanced around the room with the air of someone who already owned it.

Her fingers trailed lazily across the back of the couch as if staking her claim, and then she turned to Lorenzo with a pout that made my stomach churn.

“I’m starving,” she said with a little laugh like it was some sort of joke. “I didn’t have time to eat before coming over.”

Lorenzo’s gaze softened instantly.

“You should’ve said something earlier, Tesoro. Elena can make you something quick.”

I blinked, certain I’d misheard him.

My nails dug deeper into my palms as I bit the inside of my cheek. “Excuse me?”

He barely glanced my way, his attention still fixed on Katherine.

“You know the kitchen better than anyone, Elena. Just whip something up for her. She needs to eat. Her body’s fragile.”

Fragile.

That damn word hung in the air, acidic and cruel.

I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp enough to slice through the tension in the room.

“Of course. Nothing screams a romantic getaway like me cooking for your guest while you two relax. Shall I fetch her a warm blanket too? Maybe some herbal tea for her fragile body?”

Lorenzo’s jaw tightened, his dark eyes flashing with anger, but he said nothing.

Instead, he turned back to Katherine, his voice gentle in a way it never was with me.

“Forget it. We’ll eat out tonight. You shouldn’t have to wait.”

My breath hitched, but I forced my expression to remain neutral.

Eating out? He’d never taken me out for dinner unless it was a public event meant to display our ‘perfect’ marriage to the world. The sharp sting of betrayal was almost unbearable, but I swallowed it down.

Katherine beamed, clasping her hands together like she’d just won some prize. “You’re so thoughtful, Lorenzo. I knew I could count on you.”

“Pack my clothes. And hers too,” he said, gesturing toward Katherine. “Make sure everything is perfect for the trip.”

I didn’t respond, how could I?

“Oh, and Elena?” Lorenzo added, his voice lower, more cutting. “You can book an extra room for the vacation.”

My mouth opened and closed like a damn fish.

Surely he didn't mean he'd sleep with Katherine in the room I booked while I slept in another room.

Right?

Elena

“Elena?” A deep voice called out, sounding shocked like he wasn't sure of what he was seeing.

I had stepped out so I could eat from outside. After that encounter with Lorenzo, I had no strength left to touch a pot much less put a meal together.

Normally I would have gone to any local place for a quick bite but tonight, I chose to take myself out to a five-star restaurant.

I deserved a good meal.

I was pulled from my thoughts when a low, deep voice spoke from behind me.

“I can't believe it's you.”

Turning my head, the man standing before me is not one I'd have imagined or prepared to meet in a long shot.

“Kak ty, printsessa?”

The familiar Russian rolled over me like a wave, freezing me in place. My throat dried as I drank him in.

There he was. Nikolai Skolov.

Even in the dim restaurant lighting, he commanded the room like a king among mortals.

Dressed in all black, his fitted shirt clung to his powerful frame, showcasing the new tattoos on his arms and knuckles. His brown eyes were darker now, more intense than I remembered, and they looked like they could strip me bare, peeling back every layer of my soul.

I had heard stories.

That Nikolai wasn’t just an ordinary man anymore—he was a force, a legend whispered in the shadows of the mafia world. Stories of his rise to power echoed through every corner of the underground, painting him as the most ruthless and feared mafia Don.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. It was as though my body refused to function in his presence. Memories of our past rushed forward, tangling with the reality of my current situation.

I promised him I'd be happy.

So why was he showing up now of all times? When I was feeling the worst!

“Elena?” His voice softened slightly, his eyes searching mine after seeing that I was fucking frozen.

I finally managed to snap out of my daze.

The chair scraped loudly against the marble floor as I stood abruptly, my pulse hammering in my ears. I couldn’t speak to him. I had nothing to say to him.

I was married, damn it. Nothing good could come out of seeing him again.

Worse off Lorenzo’s men reported with pictures. All it took was a strange angle for someone to misinterpret a situation.

“I... I need to go,” I mumbled, my voice shaky as I grabbed my purse.

“Elena.” His voice stopped me in my tracks.

I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

I cursed myself for coming out tonight. I should have cooked instead.

Dammit!!

As I hurried toward the exit, I heard faint murmurs behind me.

“Should we stop her?” one of them asked in Russian.

His response was a flat “No.”

I made my way to my car, my fingers trembling as I fumbled with the keys, I entered the car and drove away.

As I drove back home, I couldn't help but wonder, Lorenzo was probably back home but he hadn't called or texted to find out where I was.

My chest felt tight and my stomach churned. My marriage wasn't the happiest, but it wasn't this bad either.

Everything changed since that bitch Kate returned.

Sighing, I turned to our house and parked outside. The first thing that caught my attention were the lights which were on.

So I was right.

He Was back, he just didn't care enough to check in on me.

I stepped inside, the tension in my chest getting worse but I pushed the feeling aside, hoping something urgent came up and that's why he was too busy to call.

When I opened the door, a shattering scream left my lips. It took me a second to realize that it was coming from me.

Guns immediately turned to me.

“Put them away.” Lorenzo’s commanding voice echoed when he realized it was me.

My hands felt like they were shaking so badly that I had to hold them together.

Lorenzo was seated in the armchair in the middle of the living room,

“What time is it?” he asked, his tone cold. Cutting through the air like a knife in butter.

I ignored the question, my gaze shifting to Katherine standing beside him like a Queen on the throne.

“Had a good dinner, Elena?” she asked, her voice dripping with mockery.

“Are you two serious right now?” I croaked out as my eyes went back to the three men covered In a pool of blood.

“What? Scared of a little blood, beloved wife?” Lorenzo stood and walked towards me.

I walked back.

“Pin her down. So She can watch what happens to those who betray the oath.”