~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?"

~Valeria’s POV

The world spun violently as I got dragged through the back alley of the city, my heels scraping against the pavement.

The grip on my arms was unrelenting. Enzo had yanked me from the penthouse like I was nothing more than a piece of trash. His fingers dug into my skin, his hold bruising, but I didn't fight.

A black SUV waited at the end of the alley, the doors already open. Enzo shoved me inside without a word, slamming the door shut behind us. I wanted to scream and cry for help but I knew it'd make matters worse so I remained silent. The vehicle roared to life. The city lights blurred past the tinted windows, my mind racing with a million thoughts.

If they were driving me out of the city, it only meant one thing. I wasn't meant to come back. That was the way of Lorenzo Ricci.

My hands clenched into fists. Lorenzo must have known I was snooping. Must have known I was planning to escape. And now, he was tying up loose ends.

The car sped through the dark streets until it finally screeched to a halt outside a deserted warehouse. The moment the door opened, Enzo grabbed me again, hauling me inside the creepy warehouse. The air smelled of rust, dirt, and gasoline, the lights flickering against the walls.

And standing in the center of the room—waiting—were two figures.

One was Lorenzo Ricci.

The other?

Seraphina Marone.

Seraphina's lips curled in amusement as she stepped forward, arms crossed.

"You weren't supposed to know, sweetheart," Her voice was soft, condescending. Mocking. "But don't worry—you won't leave this place alive."

Lorenzo stepped beside Seraphina, his expression unreadable. "Did you really think you could outsmart me, Valeria?" His tone was smooth, almost amused.

I met his gaze, my expression blank. "I was hoping for it."

Seraphina laughed, walking in slow, devastated steps toward me. "You were always so naive. That's what made you perfect for this role."

She tilted her head, eyes glowing like a viper. "Tell me, did you really believe Lorenzo ever loved you?"

I didn't answer. Because I already knew the truth.

"Seven years, Valeria. Seven years of your pathetic loyalty, and what did it get you? Five dead children and a husband who never even considered you his wife." Seraphina's hand drifted to a silver tray beside her, where a scalpel glinted under the light.

"But don't worry, I'll make this quick." She stepped forward, and placed the scalpel on my face, marking a cut on my cheek. Her hand drifted down to my stomach and before she could make the cut on my belly—

A gunfire erupted. Seraphina staggered back, the scalpel slipping from her fingers as bullets tore through the walls.

In the chaos, I hit the ground, scraping my body, and rolling behind a stack of crates. The gunshots were unstoppable. Men were shouting, bodies dropping. Through the chaos, I caught sight of a familiar figure storming through the warehouse doors.

Santino.

He emerged through the chaos as Lorenzo, Seraphina, and Enzo stood in the middle with Santino's men circling them and aiming their guns at them.

"Mr. Santino," Lorenzo greeted, trying to keep his voice steady but the tremble was evident, "What are you doing here?"

Santino smirked, cold, cruel, and manipulative.

"Protecting what's mine."

Lorenzo's expression flickered. "Yours?" He let out a dry laugh, attempting to mask his unease. Meanwhile, I staggered up on my feet. "I don't understand, Mr. De Luca." Lorenzo knew who the authority was and that relieved me a little. Santino must've noticed me struggling to stand as he walked over to me and scooped me up in his arms.

"She was your prisoner, Lorenzo Ricci." Santino's voice dropped to something lethal. "And from now on? She belongs to me. Do you understand?"

Lorenzo's hands curled into fists. "You can't just—"

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?"

The words weren't shouted. They were loud and commanding. And Lorenzo obeyed. "Yes, sir."

For the first time in years, Lorenzo Ricci—the man feared by everyone—felt powerless. He was outnumbered. Exposed. If Santino wanted to, he could kill him right here. Right now. And Lorenzo knew it.

A whimper broke the silence, Seraphina's. She crawled towards Lorenzo, sobbing. "Lorenzo, please help me." Lorenzo barely looked at her. His attention was on the ground, but his mind was definitely on Santino.

But Santino was looking at her. And he didn't like what he saw. With zero hesitation, he raised his gun and shot her in the leg. Seraphina's scream tore through the warehouse, high-pitched and agonized.

Lorenzo didn't move. Neither did Santino's men. Only I flinched. Not because I pitied her, but because Santino didn't hesitate even a little. Santino twirled the gun in his hand, completely unfazed as he glanced at Lorenzo.

"This was for hurting Valeria." Santino's voice was flat. Final. While Lorenzo's jaw locked, hands clenched at his sides, but he didn't move, because he couldn't.

"This isn't finished, Ricci, especially not for her." Lorenzo exhaled slowly, hinting at Seraphina, as Santino stepped forward, with me still clinging onto his neck. "I hope you sleep well tonight." Then, without another glance, he turned his back and carried me out of the warehouse and into his car with him.

The vehicle sped off as I sat in silence, my heart thundering inside my chest. I was free, or so I thought. Santino exhaled, tossing a bloodied envelope onto my lap.

"Read it." I hesitated before picking it up. My fingers trembled as I peeled it open and pulled out a folded letter. My breath caught in my throat. My mother's handwriting. A date. A name.

"You're not just a random person Lorenzo married, Valeria. You're the daughter of the man Lorenzo Ricci murdered to take the throne."

The world around me tilted.

"Your father was meant to be the owner of all that the Ricci family has now. Lorenzo killed him and took everything from your family, naming them to be his—including you."