~Valeria’s POV

Five miscarriages. Five tragedies.

For seven years, I had lost five unborn children I carried for Lorenzo Ricci, my husband. Five tiny lives were gone before they could take their first breath.

But it was only today that I found out the truth—outside my husband's private suite—The Black Lotus.

On the screen before me, Lorenzo Ricci—-the man I built my life around and said my vows to—-sat comfortably in a room, a woman stranded on his lap.

Not just any woman.

Seraphina Marone—the owner of a famous strip club.

Her lips were curled into a smirk, manicured nails running down Lorenzo's chest as she whispered, "Tell me, Lorenzo, when are we going to remove her from your life? I want to be the one raising your child, not her."

He chuckled, his hands gripping her waist. "Soon, baby, soon."

She hummed in amusement. "I want you to keep making her lose them until she's unable to conceive anymore," She said, her voice dripping with pleasure as she swirled the wine glass in her hand. "I want her to suffer so much that she can't stand to look at herself in the mirror. It will make me happy."

My stomach twisted violently and I had to fight the urge to vomit. Lorenzo leaned into her, pressing a slow kiss against her neck. "Then, your wish is my command, Seraphina."

The screen then went black. I felt like I was going to be sick.

~ Earlier that Evening

The house was decorated as if it was a wedding venue with soft music playing in the background. I stood in the dining room, staring at the small velvet box, sitting at the table.

Inside it was the ultrasound of our unborn child.

After every miscarriage, I was left broke, but this—it was different, I had hope. I was going to surprise Lorenzo.

As if on cue, my phone vibrated on the counter. Lorenzo's name flashed across the screen.

Smiling, I answered quickly, my heart fluttering with excitement. "Lorenzo, I have a surprise for—"

"I'm at The Black Lotus," he cut in, his voice trembling a little. "Running late. Don't wait up."

I blinked. "The Black Lotus?"

He sighed, getting impatient. "Business."

There was a brief pause, then a muffled voice in the background—a woman's voice. Low, husky.

A cold shiver ran down my spine but I shrugged it off.

"But I thought you were coming home early."

"Change of plans," he muttered. "We'll talk later." And just like that, he hung up.

I stared at the decorated dining room, feeling like a fool. However, I refused to wait any more than I already had. So, I grabbed my coat and decided to surprise him instead.

The moment I arrived at The Black Lotus, something inside me screamed to stop there. But I moved, disregarding my fear. Before I could step inside, a man blocked my path.

"Mrs. Ricci," he greeted smoothly, his stance firm. "You're expected elsewhere."

I frowned. "What?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he gestured toward a hallway. Maybe it was Lorenzo calling me to him. So, I moved and followed him. I followed the man to a VIP lounge and sitting in the center of the room wasn't my husband but someone far more dangerous—Santino De Luca.

I had never met him before but I knew exactly who he was. The ultimate leader of the mafia. The man even Lorenzo wouldn't dare cross.

Santino leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning me, peeling back layers even I wasn't aware of.

"Mrs. Ricci." he murmured.

I straightened my spine. "Where is my husband?" After a gesture of his hand, I took a seat across from him.

"Busy," he replied. "But I wanted a moment of your time."

"I don't understand, Mr. De Luca."

His lips curled up in amusement. "Oh, I think you will."

He nodded toward the large screen on the far wall on our right.

The lights dimmed. The screen flickered to life.

And then—

I watched my husband, Lorenzo Ricci, with Seraphina Marone, play out my worst nightmare.

My hands trembled. My entire world shattered at that point.

Santino watched me with unsettling calm. "Now, do you understand, Mrs. Ricci?"

"Why are you showing me this?" I swallowed, a gulp forming in my throat.

"Because," He said smoothly, setting down his glass, "I can tell you everything. If you're willing to make a trade."

"A trade?" I stiffened.

"A favor," he clarified. "Nothing now. But one day, when I come to collect, you won't refuse me."

I took a shaky breath, I couldn't trust him. "I don't make blind trades."

Santino smirked as if he had expected that answer. "Suit yourself."

He slid a piece of paper across the table.

"That's my personal contact," He said, staring directly into my eyes, "Call me when you change your mind."

I returned home instead of going to Lorenzo. And hours later, I heard the front door open and close behind me. Lorenzo staggered in, his movements sluggish, his shirt slightly rumpled. He reeked of whiskey and perfume.

I waited for him to say something. To look at me.

He didn't.

"I'm exhausted," he muttered, shrugging off his jacket and collapsing onto the bed. Within seconds, his breathing evened out and he was asleep.

I stood frozen, my hands trembling. Santino's words and the video gnawed at me. Moving quietly, I stepped toward Lorenzo's sleeping form, fingers slipping into his pockets.

His phone.

My pulse pounded as I pressed his limp finger to the screen, unlocking it. I scrolled through messages—cold, factual words that ripped the air from my lungs.

Every miscarriage was planned. Every stillborn, their dead body had been sent to Seraphina Marone just for her twisted love.

~Valeria’s POV

The scent of a warm breakfast filled the Ricci mansion. I stood at the stove, flipping pancakes, my hands steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

I had spent the last hour preparing every dish he loved, laying it on the dining table. However, behind the facade I put up, was a woman unraveling.

The night before had stolen my innocence, shredding the last remaining of love I had clung to.

But today, Lorenzo wouldn't see my pain. He wouldn't see the fury burning beneath my skin, the cold resolve tightening around my heart.

Lorenzo entered the dining room with his usual effortless grace, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at the table. "Someone's in a good mood."

I turned to him, my expression warm, as if last night's betrayal had never happened. "I wanted to do something special for you." I moved closer, slipping my arms around his waist, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

He chuckled, "My sweet wife. Always taking care of me." His hands rested on my hips.

I looked up at him, eyes soft but unreadable. "Of course. You're my husband."

For now.

We sat together and I barely touched my plate, watching him eat. I didn't have the appetite to swallow anything anymore.

"Are you not eating?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.

"I had a big meal earlier." I smiled, shaking my head. He nodded and continued with his breakfast while I sat across him.

"Honey, there's a meeting with all the owners of the clubs tomorrow—-"

"And I need to be there to note down everything about them." I cut him off. Lorenzo's smirk deepened as he stood, pressing a lingering kiss against my forehead. "I'll be home late tonight. You know—business."

My stomach twisted. I already knew what that meant. I leaned up, brushing my lips against his. "Be safe."

And just like that, Lorenzo Ricci walked out the door, and as soon as the doors shut, my smile disappeared.

I sat in the driver's seat of my black Mercedees, gripping the wheel tightly. My fingers trembled slightly as I stared at the contact on the phone.

Santino De Luca.

I had spent the entire night thinking. There was no other choice. If I wanted to uncover everything, I had to take this deal.

My thumb hovered over the call button for only a second before pressing it.

The line barely rang before his smooth, amused voice came through. "I thought you'd call sooner."

"I accept your deal." I swallowed.

There was a long pause, then a slow chuckle. "Smart girl."

"Where do we meet?" I asked, my voice steady despite the way my heart pounded against my ribs.

"Pier Four. One hour." The call ended without another word.

~An Hour Later

The docks were nearly empty when I arrived, isolated from prying eyes—exactly the kind of place a man like Santino De Luca would choose for a meeting.

I spotted him standing near a sleek black car, dressed in a tailored suit that did nothing to soften the threatening aura surrounding him.

"Valeria Ricci." He greeted smoothly, his gaze lingering on me. "Or should I say, the woman who doesn't really know who she's married to?"

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to meet his gaze without wavering. "Tell me what you know."

Instead of answering, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a thick, confidential-looking medical report.

My breath hitched when he handed it to me.

My fingers trembled as I flipped through the pages—my stomach twisting violently as I reached the final section.

"Birth Record: Male, born premature but alive."

My hands were cold. The air around me disappeared.

"That's...." My voice cracked as I gripped the paper tighter. "That's impossible."

Santino leaned against his car, watching me like a predator. "Your last pregnancy, Valeria. The one you thought ended in another miscarriage?"

My heartbeat roared in my ears. "The baby was born alive." My body started shaking. "It was a boy. Someone took him from you." Santino spoke with a calm voice. "And I think you already know who."

Seraphina.

A sob tore through my throat, but I swallowed it back. "Where is he?"

Santino shrugged, watching me carefully. "I don't have that answer."

I had been grieving a child who had never died. My hands trembled as I forced myself to breathe. "Why are you telling me this?"

Santino tilted his head. "Because he needs his mother," his gaze darkened. "Search Lorenzo's study. That's where the real truth is."

~Back at home

I forced myself to act normal when Lorenzo arrived, pretending to be tired to avoid raising his suspicion.

After a moment of discussion, Lorenzo finally gave in and listened. He didn't suspect a thing.

That night, as soon as he fell asleep, I sneaked into his study. I rummaged through drawers, flipping through files, searching—

And then I found it.

A file labeled with my name.

Inside was the confirmation.

My last baby boy was given to Seraphina as an heir to the Ricci family. My sixth pregnancy was also mentioned.

My breathing slowed when I realized there was going to be a sixth attempt too. My vision blurred as the truth crashed onto me.

But then—

A shadow loomed behind me. Lorenzo's voice was like ice.

"What are you doing here, Valeria?"

~Valeria’s POV

My breath hitched as Lorenzo Ricci's finger tightened around my wrist, his grip ironclad. I had seen this look in his eyes before—cold, calculating, dangerous.

"What are you doing in here?" Lorenzo's voice was eerily calm. I forced a soft laugh, tilting my head as if amused by his suspicion.

"You left the door open, and I was looking for my earrings. Thought I'd check in here."

"Earrings?" His dark eyes narrowed at me. I nodded, reaching past him to pick up the scattered papers. With practiced ease, I shuffled them back into the file without reading another word. "Do you really think I'd go through your boring business files? God, Lorenzo, how paranoid are you?"

His jaw remained tensed, but his grip loosed just a fraction. "You shouldn't be snooping around, Valeria."

I met his gaze, my most disarming smile displayed on my face. "And you shouldn't be keeping secrets you're afraid of being exposed." I traced my fingers lightly over his chest. "Or have you forgotten I'm your wife?"

"That's cute, babe," His thumb brushed my jaw. "But don't play games with me, ok? I'm Lorenzo Ricci."

I forced out a soft giggle. I stepped away as if I wasn't shaking inside. "Relax, I was just messing with you. Now, are we done with this interrogation? I need to shower."

For a long moment, Lorenzo studied me, his stare like a blade against my throat. I knew he was suspecting me but there was no way he'd be this calm if he knew that I was aware of his tactics.

Then, finally—he let me go. I stepped out of his study with a thundering heartbeat. I jogged to our bedroom and stepped into the bathroom.

As soon as I did, I locked the door and turned on the shower to drown out any noise. With shaky hands, I pulled out my phone and dialed Santino De Luca's contact. I didn't know why I trusted him, I just knew I desperately needed an ally.

The line finally clicked. "I was wondering when you'd call, Mrs. Ricci."

"Mr. De Luca," I kept my voice steady, a desperate attempt to reassure that I didn't just escape death itself. "I need your help."

He chuckled. "I’m listening."

"I want to know everything Lorenzo is hiding from me." My patience running thin.

A long pause erupted. Then, his voice dropped. "Meet me tomorrow night. 9 PM. The rooftop of II Bastione."

II Bastione—one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city.

"Okay," I agreed but spoke again, "But I want protection. If Lorenzo finds out—"

"He won't," He reassured me, and for some reason, it meant more than I thought it would. "But make no mistake, Valeria—if you betray me, I won't be as forgiving as your husband."

The call then ended. I exhaled shakily, gripping the sink. This was it. Tomorrow, I'd take the first step toward getting out. And toward destroying Lorenzo Ricci.

~The Next Morning

I played my role flawlessly, despite the heavy burden on my heart. I entered the banquet hall of Ricci's Corporation's headquarters alongside Lorenzo. I kept my expression neutral.

I had to figure out what Lorenzo had done. And I needed Santino's help to do it.

But first, I had to survive this nightmare.

When we entered the hall, several associate club/business owners were already there. To my surprise, Lorenzo's mother was there too. Beside her, smiling like she had already won, was Seraphina Marone.

My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to remain composed.

After a while of mingling with everyone, when the event was wrapping up, Lorenzo's mother clinked her wine glass.

She cleared her throat, looking around the room with a pleased expression. "Before we conclude, I have an important announcement. As many of you know, the Ricci family has always valued strong alliances. And today, I am pleased to officially announce that my son, Lorenzo, will be marrying Seraphina Marone in one week."

My body turned to ice. Hooray and Congratulations spread through the room, and Seraphina gave a demure smile, casting me the briefest glance—one filled with triumph.

This was the final betrayal. I had suffered for this man. I had carried his children. And now, he was replacing me in front of the entire world.

Instead of making a scene, I decided to smile, and exited the hall after informing Lorenzo that I was leaving.

The moment I returned to our penthouse, I grabbed my phone and dialed the only man who could help me now.

Santino De Luca.

He answered immediately as if he had been waiting. "I was wondering when you'd call again."

"Please help me track Lorenzo. His location, his meetings, his movements. Everything. I want to track his every move."

"I'll have the information in an hour."

The call then ended. I sat back, my heart pounding. In one hour, I would have proof. Proof of Lorenzo's lies. Proof of everything he ever did to me.

~ An Hour Later

My phone buzzed with a text from Santino.

-Ricci Tower—7th Floor. Private Suite.

-Attachment: A photo of Lorenzo entering a penthouse suite with Seraphina.

My fingers hovered over the dial pad. I pressed the call button to let him know I received his information.

He answered, but before I opened my mouth to speak, I froze.

A dark figure stood in the doorway of my bedroom, a gun held loosely at his side.

Enzo Moretti.

Lorenzo's most trusted man. His right-hand man. The look in his eyes told me exactly what was about to happen.

"You really think you could outplay the mafia, Mrs. Ricci?"