Everyone knows Francesco Greco, heir to the largest mafia family in Solerio, is a notorious playboy. Yet when he swears to God that he'll love me for the rest of his life, I choose to believe him.

He lives up to his words during the first year of our marriage. The Greco heir, whose presence alone terrorizes others, clings to me like a loyal puppy at home.

But by the second year, he starts returning home with one lover after another. Rumors of his scandalous affairs spread, and I become the laughingstock of Solerio.

On our eighth anniversary, his 99th lover taunts me in front of everyone at dinner.

"Don't sleep in the master bedroom tonight," she says. "Mr. Greco and I are going to have some fun there. Also, change the sheets. I can't stand how dirty your things are."

Everyone expects me to break down under such humiliation. Instead, I smile and turn on my heel.

Then, I dial Madre Greco's number.

"Madre, it's been eight years," I say, my voice steady. "It's time for me to leave."

Everyone knew Francesco Greco, heir to the most prominent mafia family in Solerio, was a notorious playboy. However, when he swore to God that he would love me for the rest of his life, I chose to believe him.

But by the second year of our marriage, he began returning home with one lover after another. Traces of their passionate lovemaking were everywhere, from the bed to the study, the couch, and even the dining room.

So Madre Greco and I made an agreement. She said Francesco was still young and that I should give him eight more years. If he hadn't changed by then, she'd give me a sum of money and let me go.

This year marked the final year of our promise. Clearly, Francesco hadn't changed at all.

The moment I hung up the phone, he sauntered toward me with his 99th lover.

"Mia, where did you put our wedding ring?" he asked. "Selena wants to wear it to tomorrow's banquet. Give it to her for now. I'll get you another ring, okay?"

I felt my chest clench. He had spent a month designing that ring before we got married and had meticulously slipped it on my finger, saying I was the only love of his life.

While I had been generous with all the lovers he brought home, giving them whatever they wanted, I treasured this ring and kept it close to me.

This time, I simply nodded. "It's just a ring. If you want it, take it."

Even Francesco looked surprised.

"Why don't you come with us to the auction tomorrow?" he offered, trying to make things right again.

"If you see a ring you like, you can buy as many as you want."

I was about to refuse when his phone rang. As he turned to answer it, Selena Ricci sashayed over with a dark expression.

"Mia, sometimes I feel a little sorry for you," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Francesco's already fed up with you. If I were you, I wouldn't have clung to him until now."

The ambitious expression on her face was exactly the same as that of Francesco's previous lovers.

I chuckled. "You just spent one night with some trash I no longer want. And that makes you so proud that you forget your place?

"You think you're his true love? Funny. The previous 98 women all thought so too."

Rendered speechless, Selena stomped her feet in anger and stormed off.

After they left, I began packing my things. In seven days, Madre Greco would take care of everything, and I would leave.

That evening, I went to a restaurant in Solerio that was popular among couples. I had wanted to come here with Francesco when we first married, but he always claimed that he was busy.

Now that I was about to leave Solerio, I decided to enjoy the meal alone.

To my surprise, I spotted Francesco and Selena as soon as I stepped through the door.

He was allergic to seafood, yet their table was full of it. They didn't notice me as Selena laughed and fed him some dessert she had eaten half of.

Her fingers brushed past his lips, and surprisingly, he blushed.

Years ago, Francesco had acted exactly the same way, which made me believe in his sincerity and eventually decide to marry him. All this time, I had believed that he only had fleeting feelings for the previous women—that he wasn't serious about them.

It wasn't until now that realization dawned on me.

Perhaps he had been sincere with the other women and me—it was just that his genuine feelings for a woman were always short-lived and easily replaced.

"Caro, shall we take a photo together? I want to post it on social media," Selena said, pulling out her phone and preparing to take a picture of the two of them.

Francesco hesitated for a moment. As the heir of the family, he couldn't casually post photos online. But in the next instant, he flashed a wide grin at the camera.

I smiled bitterly. We had been married for ten years, yet every time I suggested taking a photo with him, he refused.

It turned out that it wasn't impossible to bend the "no-photo-taking" rule. He just didn't want to take photos with me.

Lost in thought, I heard a waiter's voice beside me.

"Signorina, are you on your own?"

I nodded.

Selena also spotted me as the waiter spoke. Francesco froze, and a hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes. It seemed like he hadn't forgotten all the times I had invited him to this place.

He got up and walked toward me. "Since you're here, come sit with us. I had been busy with family affairs back then. I couldn't make time for you."

He pulled out a chair for me, but I shook my head and went to the seat the waiter had originally arranged for me.

"You two go ahead," I said airily. "I'm just here to eat."

Throughout the meal, Francesco kept glancing my way, obviously distracted. Still, I ignored him.

When they passed by me after their meal, he stopped beside my table and said, "Mia, your temper has improved a lot lately.

"Don't worry. As long as you behave, you'll still be the future Donna of the Greco family."

I smiled, not telling him that I was about to leave.

…

On the day of the auction, Francesco specifically sent someone to pick me up. I was about to refuse, but when I saw that one of the auction items was by Madre Greco's favorite sculptor, I changed my mind.

When Francesco entered the room with Selena, who was proudly wearing my wedding ring, everyone in Solerio's upper crust cast me mocking glances. I paid them no mind and focused entirely on the auction.

The moment the sculpture came up, my eyes lit up. I raised my paddle immediately as soon as the auctioneer began the bidding.

"Five million, once. Five million, twice. Five million, three times. Very well. Now, let us congratulate—"

Before he could finish, Selena suddenly raised her paddle. "Ten million dollars!"

I spun toward her in disbelief. She tilted her chin at me, a taunting look in her eyes. I knew she didn't care about the sculpture—she just wanted to piss me off.

Helplessly, I turned toward Francesco.

"Mia, I told you. You can choose any ring you want today," he said, looking unfazed.

"As for this sculpture, why don't you give it to Selena since she likes it?"

Affection filled his eyes as he spoke, and Selena was so delighted that she kissed him on the spot. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she looked at me.

Francesco wasn't oblivious to her schemes. He just chose to indulge her.

I suddenly remembered when he had first pursued me. He'd take me all over Solerio during the day, and at night, he'd drag me to auctions. He fought for every piece I liked or was merely curious about, even if it angered other families.

"My woman deserves everything in this world," he once said.

Now, he had walked all over me and made me become the woman whose sole existence was to highlight his affection for his new lover.

I forced myself to regain my composure, staring blankly at the auctioneer as he brought down the gavel. But just as it was about to fall, the sound system suddenly blared.

Selena's sensual moans, calling Francesco's name over and over, filled the entire hall.

Everyone's expressions changed at once.

"Yeah, faster…"

"Francesco, give it to me now…"

Francesco's expression hardened. He sprang up in anger, not forgetting to shield Selena behind him as he barked, "Who was it? Turn it off now!"

His subordinates rushed backstage, stumbling over themselves. Selena buried herself in his arms and wept, then suddenly jerked her head up and pointed at me.

"Ms. Morelli, all I did was take a sculpture you liked. And this is how you get back at me?" she choked out.

"I don't mind being humiliated, but Francesco represents the Greco family. You played our sex tape in front of so many people… Are you trying to humiliate the Greco family?"

Francesco glowered at me. "So this was your purpose all along, huh? No wonder you were so obedient yesterday. And I thought you'd finally become more sensible."

I felt my chest tighten.

"Do you really think I did this?" I asked bitterly.

We dated for three years and had been married for eight years. I thought spending this much time together meant he'd at least trust my character, yet his response proved me terribly wrong.

"Who else would target Selena besides you?" he hissed. "Mia, I thought you knew how you should act as the future Donna of the Greco family. I didn't expect you still couldn't hold your own.

"Listen, if you don't want the position, there are plenty of others who do."

The look in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

I sneered. "Fine. I don't want it. Let's get a divorce. You can have whoever you want as the future Donna of the family."

Francesco's eyes widened in disbelief. But before he could react, Selena suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Ms. Morelli, I'm sorry. This is all my fault," she sobbed. "You can hit me, scold me, or do whatever you want. Don't take it out on Francesco. He's already exhausted from his family affairs…"

I looked at her, confused. I wondered what she was up to again.

She suddenly lifted my hand, and in the next instant, she collapsed to the ground. Her hand flew to her face as she cried out in fear, "Ms. Morelli, I'm sorry! I'll leave Francesco if you tell me to. Please stop hurting me.

"You're right. A small insignificant person like me isn't worth your effort… I should've known better."

Francesco's expression immediately changed. He shoved me aside and quickly removed Selena's hand from her face. The originally flawless skin on her cheek now bore a bright red mark.

"What did she do to you yesterday?" he fumed.

Feigning terror, Selena glanced at me and said hesitantly, "Ms. Morelli said if I keep clinging to you, she'd ruin me completely…"

He turned to me, his gaze cold. "Mia, looks like I've been too lenient with you over the years. That's why you're starting to interfere in my business."

My lips trembled as bitterness surged in my chest.

I knew it was pointless to defend myself now. No matter what I said, Francesco wouldn't believe me at all.

"Someone put all these photos up," he ordered. "I'll personally hold an auction for Mrs. Greco today."

My eyes widened, and my body was shaking with terror.

Sure enough, when I looked up, my nude photos were displayed on the big screen. The nudity and my suggestive expressions sparked immediate whispers among the crowd.

When we had been madly in love, he'd coaxed me into taking these photos. He had promised he would keep them safe, yet now he'd turned that promise into a weapon against me.

I struggled against his grip, trying to talk some sense into him.

"Francesco, it wasn't me!" I shouted.

But he shoved me aside without hesitation, holding Selena close to him.

"Keep an eye on her."

Completely under his men's control, I could only watch in despair as the crowd picked at my photos. Tears streamed down my face, and the surrounding whispers and ridicule almost drowned me.

Finally, Francesco raised the gavel and brought it down.

"Congratulations to this gentleman for purchasing all these photos for one dollar."