A wild thought sprang to mind and spread like wildfire.

Rather than granting them a quick death, which would be too merciful, I would rather have them alive and ruined.

Also, I needed a ship that could take me away from there.

I took a deep breath and walked out of the shadows. My voice was not loud, but it rang clearly in the room.

"Hold up."

Lorenzo suddenly looked back and frowned at me. "Vittoria, stand back! This isn't a place for you to fool around!"

Sofia sneered, "Vittoria, go back. You'll get everyone killed."

I ignored them. I stood up and tidied my clothes before walking over to the long table and pouring myself a glass of red wine.

Then, I raised my glass to Valentino and replied to him in the most fluent ancient dialect of Cecile Island, replying to his coded phrase.

"The wind at the port is strong, but we have the best captain. We can ship the cargo to a place where even God can't find."

Lorenzo and Sofia looked at me as if they had just seen a ghost. They never knew I could speak this ancient dialect.

All they knew of me was just a materialistic housewife who only knew how to shop and cook, but nothing else.

They had forgotten that my parents were the previous generation's best smugglers. That dialect was like a lullaby I had heard since I was a young age.

Valentino stopped playing with his ring. He slowly sat up and fixed his hawk-like gaze on me.

A few seconds later, he chuckled.

"Deal."

He got up, walked past Lorenzo, and headed straight to me. Then, he held my hand up and kissed the back of it like a gentleman.

"Beautiful Signora, your talent delights me."

Lorenzo's face turned green with jealousy. He pulled me behind him, looking rather on guard.

"Valentino, she's my wife."

Valentino stood up straight. His gaze instantly darkened. He looked at Lorenzo with condescension and said, "What a pity. If you don't know how to cherish her, she'll leave you sooner or later."

That night, the family had bagged an unprecedentedly huge deal. Everyone celebrated with wine and cheers.

Lorenzo was the center of attention, being flattered by everyone. Sofia was next to him, too, equally basking in the glory.

No one seemed to remember what I had done. No one remembered me, except for Valentino. He stuffed a business card into my hand before he left.

On it was a personal phone number and one sentence.

[My ship will always have a place for you.]

Late at night, Lorenzo was passed out drunk in bed. I sat in front of the vanity, staring at the pale woman in the mirror.

I took off my wedding ring and placed it in the empty jewelry box. Then, I took out that business card and dialed the number.

The call was picked up after one ring.

I could hear the sounds of waves mixed with the man's voice, saying, "I thought you would wait until dawn to call me."

I looked out at the dark sky and smiled in relief.

"Take me away. Right now."