"I'm tired." I pushed him away. "I want to get some rest."

"Of course." He kissed my forehead. "You go on up. I have a few calls to make."

As I walked toward the stairs, I heard him on the phone in the living room, his voice low.

"Yes, I know you're worried, but she won't suspect a thing. She's always trusted my loyalty."

In the past, I would have insisted he carry me upstairs. This time, I didn't look back and went straight up.

The next morning, when I pushed open the bedroom door, I froze.

Over the sound of the shower, a woman was humming softly.

I walked over just as the bathroom door happened to open. Sophia stood there wrapped in my silk robe, a smug smile on her face.

She wasn't startled. In fact, her smile only widened.

"Oh, Blair! You're back." She tightened the belt, sauntering out with a lazy confidence. "I accidentally spilled some wine on myself earlier. Alessio told me to come up and wash it off."

"Are you wearing my clothes?" I pointed to the silk robe she had on. It was a limited-edition piece from a runway show that Alessio had brought back for me from Paris last year.

"Oh, this." She deliberately caressed the fabric. "Alessio said you wouldn't mind. We're family, after all."

She walked over to the vanity and casually started touching up her makeup with my products.

"What happened to your neck?" I stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"Just a little sparring in the training room. My opponent got a bit rough." She met my gaze in the mirror, her smile somewhat suggestive. "You know how some men are. They just don't know how to be gentle with a woman."

She turned to face me, deliberately tugging the collar of her robe lower.

My blood ran cold.

Alessio had once built a private training room for me in the basement, where he would personally teach me to use the family's weapons. He said that as the Donna of the Greco family, I had to learn to protect myself.

Back then, I would go to the training room every afternoon to practice shooting and combat.

Alessio would stand behind me, his hands guiding my grip on the gun, his breath hot on my ear, his voice low and sexy.

But ever since our daughter passed away, I had not set foot in there.

It seemed someone else was now doing that "training" for me. Her arrogance was the final straw. Fury churned in my chest as I lunged at Sophia.

"Take off my clothes and give them back to me..."

"Blair!" Alessio's voice came from the doorway. "What's going on?"

He strode into the room and saw us facing off.

Sophia immediately put on a wounded expression. "I think Blair misunderstood something. I was just borrowing the bathroom."

I stared at Alessio. "I just want to know, what exactly are you training her for?"

Alessio frowned. "Blair, you're tired. You need to rest." He came over and forcibly grabbed my hand.

"Don't touch me!" I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong. He hauled me toward the stairs.

"Sophia, go back to your room," he said without looking back.

Alessio carried me upstairs. "Baby, you're tense. Get some sleep. I need to handle some family business in the study, and it might get loud."

He kissed my forehead. "The master bedroom will be quieter. Get some sleep."

I nodded and dragged my exhausted body upstairs.

But as I reached the landing, I realized I had left my phone on the coffee table in the living room. It might contain an important message from my black market contact.

I tiptoed back down the stairs, trying to retrieve it quietly. Then I heard sounds coming from the study.

I approached the door, which was slightly ajar. Through the crack, I saw a scene that made my blood freeze.

Alessio was seated in his leather chair while Sophia straddled his lap, her skirt pushed up to her waist. His hands gripped her hips, their bodies moving in a desperate rhythm.

She leaned close to his ear, her voice a purr of satisfied exhaustion. "That round in the training room just made me want more... You said Blair went to rest?"

He was panting heavily. "She won't come down. I told her I had to work on some files. Besides," his voice dropped, "if anyone dares to interrupt us, including her, I'll handle them."

I couldn't listen anymore. I covered my ears and ran to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face over and over.

It was winter, but I didn't feel the chill. Nothing could be colder than my heart.

I retreated to the bedroom and slid down against the door.

This was the love I had believed in for eight years. True love, it turned out, was the most worthless thing of all.

In all those eight years, I had rarely entered Alessio's study, knowing he disliked anyone interfering with confidential family business.

But now, he could be naked with Sophia in there. What a fucking joke.

Perhaps it was sheer exhaustion, but I fell asleep without realizing it, only to be startled awake by Alessio's voice.

He was covered in sweat, his breathing ragged, as if he had just broken free from a nightmare. "Blair?" he fumbled in the darkness. "Are you there?"

I sat up in his arms. "Alessio, what's wrong?"

His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing uneven. "I dreamed you left me. It was hell, Blair."

"But you're still here. You're still here."

I lowered my head, the words I wanted to say caught in my throat. I couldn't tell his sincerity from the act, and I wanted to tell him that his dream would soon become reality.

Perhaps the nightmare made him genuinely afraid I would leave. After all, he hadn't gotten what he wanted out of me yet.

The next morning, Alessio wouldn't leave my side, following me everywhere.

I finally found a moment when he was distracted by family business and slipped out of the villa.

I went to the dim bar, where my contact was already waiting.

"Ma'am," he said in a low voice, pushing a manila envelope toward me. "Your complete identity documents. Passport, driver's license, bank cards. They'll be active worldwide within two weeks."

I reached for the envelope.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind me.

"Who are you making a deal with?"

I slowly turned to see Alessio's ashen face, his voice trembling.

"What deal?" he asked again.

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced a faint smile, my mind scrambling for an excuse.

"It's not my deal. A friend's gallery is looking to acquire some European collectibles. She just called and asked me to help contact a broker."

For a moment, he just stared at me, as if he didn't quite believe me.

Then suddenly, he pulled me into his arms and swept me off my feet.

In the car, Alessio was silent.

I stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was clenched, clearly suppressing something.

"Blair," he said abruptly. "What's been wrong with you lately?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've been different ever since we lost our daughter." He gripped the steering wheel. "You've changed."

I grew nervous, afraid I'd give myself away. "I haven't changed."

"Then why are you always doing things behind my back?" He stopped the car and turned to look at me. "Why do you look at me like I'm a stranger? Why don't you tell me things anymore?"

He suddenly pulled me into a hug, so tight I could barely breathe.

"I'm afraid of losing you, Blair." His voice trembled. "I've already lost our daughter. I can't lose you, too."

"When I couldn't find you at the villa, I was terrified. Please, promise me you won't just leave without a word, okay?"

"You won't lose me," I lied, patting his back.

"Really?" He released me, looking into my eyes. "Promise me."

"I promise." He kissed my forehead and started the car again.

I smiled and nodded, needing to calm the raging man beside me.

But I knew this was the last lie I would ever tell him.

That evening was the Greco family's charity gala.

Everyone was there. Politicians, business partners, allied families. The ballroom glittered with chandeliers and sparkling champagne glasses.

I wore the simplest, plain-colored dress. At this point, I didn't want to draw any attention.

Guests whispered in my ear constantly, telling me how lucky I was, how much Alessio doted on me, calling me the object of every woman's envy in the room.

"The way Alessio looks at her… that's what real love looks like."

I smiled bitterly. True love. Perhaps there had been a little, once upon a time.

The ballroom lights dimmed, and a spotlight hit the stage. Sophia emerged, gliding out in a golden gown. As she approached us, she deliberately raised her arm to adjust her necklace.

I saw it on her wrist, a small, delicate new tattoo. Identical to the one on Alessio's arm.

She noticed my gaze and gave me a triumphant, provocative smile.

When Alessio saw her raise her right hand, his face went pale. As Sophia started walking toward me, he grabbed her and pulled her out of the room.

I followed them quietly until they entered a private room behind the ballroom. The door was ajar, and I took out my phone.

"Are you crazy?" Alessio sounded agitated. "Showing off your tattoo here? If Blair finds out..."

"Finds out what?" Sophia's voice was coquettish. "Finds out you care about me more? Finds out you're going to get me pregnant with the true Greco heir?"

"Sophia, you know I have to be careful. It's not the right time..."

"When will it be the right time?" she cut him off, her voice sharp. "I'm tired of hiding. I want everyone to know I'm your woman. Get me pregnant, Alessio. Get me pregnant right now."

"Tell me," Sophia's voice turned seductive. "Who's your number one?"

"It's you, silly. You never have to ask that question again. Blair is just a tool, a stepping stone for me to climb higher."

My phone nearly slipped from my hand. My stomach twisted as I captured every cruel word of his betrayal.

They kept talking, but I couldn't hear them anymore.

I stopped the recording and staggered away.

Back home, I took out my suitcase. I packed all my essentials, leaving the divorce papers, my wedding ring, and the USB drive with the recording on the nightstand.

Two hours later, I was sitting in the lounge at JFK Airport, my new passport and boarding pass clutched tightly in my hand.

My phone rang. Of course, it was Alessio. I took a deep breath and answered.

"Blair? Where are you? I've been looking everywhere for you."

"I'm on my way home," I told my final lie. "I wasn't feeling well, so I left early."

"Do you want me to come back and be with you?"

"No need." I looked out at the city lights. "You just handle your business."

"Alright, sweetheart. I have to deal with a traitor tonight, so I'll be home late," he said. "Get some rest."

Then I heard Sophia's laughter, right behind him.

"I love you, Blair," he said.

"Goodbye, Alessio," I whispered, my voice hollow.

I hung up. Then I snapped my SIM card in half and dropped the pieces into an airport trash can.

As I stepped onto the plane, I finally felt free.