The next morning, a group of servants carried various haute couture dress boxes into our bedroom.

"Sophia, come choose a gown for tonight's cruise ship party." Alexander said excitedly. "I had them specially delivered."

I opened the boxes. Inside were all conservative long dresses with high necklines that covered everything up to the neck, even covering the arms completely.

"I love how dignified and elegant you look." Alexander gazed at me with deep affection, his eyes full of possessiveness. "I don't like other men seeing your body."

He pulled out a velvet jewelry box from his pocket. "And this, for my most beautiful wife."

Inside lay a priceless sapphire necklace, each stone as large as a pigeon egg. He gently fastened the necklace around my neck and kissed my throat softly. "Only this is worthy of you."

Just then, my Instagram sent me a notification.

Isabella had posted nine photos, all of extremely sexy dresses: deep V-necks, backless designs, slits up to the thighs, silk fabrics thin as cicada wings.

The caption read: "So torn, which one should I choose? My husband says dignified and elegant is too boring. He told me that tonight, being sexy is enough."

I looked at my phone screen, then at these nun-like conservative dresses in front of me.

How ironic.

That evening, the cruise ship party officially began. The massive cruise ship sailed away from Sicily's coast.

Alexander held my hand as we opened the evening with a graceful waltz. His hand remained protectively at my waist throughout.

Whenever other family leaders approached to toast me, he intercepted for me. "My Donna doesn't like to drink. I'll drink for her."

All the guests raised their champagne glasses, offering flattering compliments.

"The Don's devotion to the Donna is truly unwavering after all these years."

"To have Don's such devoted love, Donna is truly Sicily's darling."

Alexander wrapped his arm around my waist, gazing at me affectionately in front of everyone. "Sophia is the only woman in my life."

Halfway through the ball, a bodyguard leaned in and whispered to Alexander.

Alexander turned to me. "Darling, some urgent business needs my attention in the private study upstairs. I'll be back soon."

"Go ahead." I smiled and nodded.

Twenty minutes later, I excused myself from the crowd, claiming I felt a bit seasick and needed fresh air.

Before I could reach the railing to enjoy the sea breeze, a familiar, breathless moan drifted from the shadows beneath the bridge.

It was Alexander, who was supposed to be in the study.

Alexander had Isabella pressed hard against the metal railing. Her dress was hiked up to her waist, her legs wrapped tightly around him.

"God, Alexander... right here? On the deck?" Isabella panted, her head thrown back. "The guests are just inside... what if someone comes out for a smoke?"

"They wouldn't dare," Alexander growled, his thrusts savage and rhythmic. "I told the guards to keep the doors shut. No one comes out unless they want to die. Look at the sea, you little slut... scream as loud as you want, the waves will cover it."

"Am I tighter than Donna?" Isabella gasped.

"Shut up about my wife," Alexander growled, but his movements became even more violent. "This is just fucking. Don't get confused."

I stood at the deck for a full hour, watching those disgusting images. My heart had gone completely numb.

I forced myself to turn away and walked back toward the ballroom.

Just as I reached the entrance, a drunk guest stumbled out.

He didn't notice me standing in the shadows. He staggered straight toward the "show."

Three seconds later.

"GET LOST!" Alexander burst out thunderous roar.

The drunk guest scrambled back instantly, his face pale.

Alexander stormed out from the shadows, buttoning his shirt.

"If my wife hears a single word about what you saw tonight," Alexander hissed, "your entire family will disappear from Sicily by sunrise! Do you understand?"

"Yes! Yes, Don! I saw nothing! I swear!" The guest trembled violently.

The guest scrambled back into the ballroom. But he froze as he looked at the entrance.

I was standing near the entrance, looking calm and graceful.

Horror filled his eyes. He realized I must have been there. He knew that I knew.

The guest looked at me, terrified that I would speak.

I simply gave him a faint, knowing smile.

Before Alexander came back, I turned and returned to the luxury suite on deck.

Just as I reached the balcony, my phone rang.

"Miss Sophia, everything is arranged." A raspy voice came through the phone.

"Good, see you tomorrow." I replied softly.

Just as I hung up, Alexander pushed through the door. He seemed to have heard something.

"Sophia, what was that about 'see you tomorrow'? Where are you going?" He asked with confusion.

I looked at him calmly, this man I had once deeply loved. Now in my eyes, he was nothing but hypocrisy and disgust.

"Meeting a friend for shopping," I replied indifferently.

"Which friend? How come I don't know about this?"

"You don't know her."

Alexander stopped questioning. He came over and embraced me, kissing the side of my neck as usual.

"My baby, you must be exhausted today?" His voice was gentle as honey.

But I could smell the lingering perfume on him, and that distinctive sweet scent that comes after making love.

I pushed him away forcefully. "Don't touch me!"

Alexander looked hurt. "Sophia, what's wrong? Why are you pushing me away?"

"I'm feeling a bit unwell." I said.

Suddenly, the world spun around me.

I hadn't slept much these past few days, and my body couldn't take it anymore.

Everything went black and my body went limp.

Before losing consciousness, I saw Alexander's panicked face as he caught me, shouting, "Quick! Call the doctor!"

When I woke up, I was already in the ship's infirmary.

Alexander was nowhere to be seen.

"Donna, you're awake?" the doctor asked respectfully. "How are you feeling?"

"Where is Alexander?"

"Don Alexander just stepped out. He said there was urgent business to handle."

I sneered inwardly. Urgent business? It must be Isabella needing something from him again.

"I want to walk around." I got up from the bed.

"Donna, you should rest a bit longer."

"I'm fine now."

I left the infirmary and searched along the corridor.

At the entrance to another infirmary on the lower deck, Alexander was supporting the pale-faced Isabella. His movements were gentle, as if handling fragile porcelain.

"Be careful, don't fall." His tone was full of concern.

Isabella leaned weakly against his chest, looking pitiful.

When she saw me appear, Alexander immediately released Isabella's hand. His expression became awkward.

Sophia! How did you come down here? Didn't the doctor say you needed more rest?"

"I just happened to see Isabella almost fall, so I helped her up," he hastily explained. "I have a lot of family matters to deal with these days, but I want to spend more time with you, so I've asked Isabella to help me handle some of the tasks."

Isabella spoke up then, her voice weak and delicate. "Donna, I'm so sorry. I felt a bit dizzy just now. If Don Alexander hadn't supported me, I would have fallen."

Then she deliberately caressed her lower abdomen, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "But it's understandable, given that I'm pregnant now. My body is always uncomfortable."

"Pregnant?" I looked at her expressionlessly.

"Yes, it's been a month now!" Isabella said excitedly. "My boyfriend was so happy when he found out. He immediately gave me a villa and a hundred million in cash as celebration."

She looked at me provocatively. "Donna, if you have time someday, would you like to have dinner with me and my boyfriend? Let me introduce you to him?"

Alexander’s face darkened instantly. "Isabella! Know your place. You think you're worthy of dining with the Donna?"

Isabella shrank back from his shout, a flash of intense resentment and venom in her eyes. But she quickly lowered her head, maintaining her submissive appearance. "I'm sorry, Don. I spoke out of turn."

I watched their clumsy performance calmly.

"Since Isabella is fine now, let's go back." Alexander walked toward me, trying to take my arm.

I avoided his touch. "You two continue talking. I'll go back to the room first."

"Sophia, wait for me." Alexander hurried to follow.

Back in the room, he said with concern, "Darling, you look pale. Should we get the doctor to check on you again?"

"No need. I'm just tired."

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have made you attend such a boring party today." He said apologetically. "You don't have to come to these events in the future."

Suddenly, my phone vibrated repeatedly.

Isabella had sent a photo of an ultrasound report.

"The text read: Dear Donna, look at this. I'm six weeks pregnant!"

Then came a long message.

"You know what? Alexander is absolutely obsessed with me. On your third anniversary, he had me on his office desk for two whole hours."

"And on your birthday, he said dinner with you was too boring. He snuck away to find me. We tried every position on your bed."

"He said you're like a dead fish with no passion. Only I can make him truly happy."

"When he found out I was pregnant, he went crazy with joy. He said he'd give me the most romantic surprise to announce the arrival of our child to the whole world.."

My hand holding the phone trembled slightly.

Just then, huge fireworks exploded outside the window. I walked to the balcony and looked up.

In the night sky, Isabella’s name was framed by a massive, glowing heart made of golden light.

I stared at the sky blankly. I remembered our wedding night.

That night, Alexander was so happy he set off fireworks until dawn.

The entire sky was filled with "Alexander ❤️ Sophia." Back then, he swore I was his only queen.

Now, the same sky was celebrating another woman and her child.

Alexander embraced me from behind, resting his chin lightly on my shoulder.

"Isabella's boyfriend heard about her pregnancy and arranged this celebration," he explained smoothly, as if he had nothing to do with it.

"Do you like the fireworks?" His voice was gentle and affectionate.

"If you like them," he whispered in my ear. "Next time, I’ll charter the entire sky just for you."

I watched the brilliant fireworks in the sky, feeling only endless irony.

"I don't like secondhand things." I said coldly.

"What?" Alexander didn't catch that.

"Nothing." I broke free from his embrace. "I'm tired. I'll go rest in the room."

"Alright, sleep early." He kissed my forehead lightly. "We'll be back on shore in two days."

The next morning, a deafening explosion woke me up.

Before I could sit up, the bedroom door was kicked open. Alexander rushed in.

"Sophia! Get up! We're under attack!" He grabbed my wrist, pulling me off the bed. "A rival family launched rocket-propelled grenades at us. The lower cabins are flooded. The ship is sinking!"

"We have to get to the lifeboats. Now!" Alexander didn't give me time to put on shoes. He dragged me barefoot out of the room.

The corridor was a living hell. The floor beneath us was already tilting dangerously.

"Alexander! Help! Alexander!" A piercing scream cut through the chaos.

Alexander froze. Isabella was trapped behind a fallen beam near the lounge, waving her arms frantically.

Alexander’s grip on my hand tightened for a second, then loosened.

"Isabella is there," he said, his voice tense. "She's pregnant. I have to go get her."

"Go to the lifeboat! It's just straight ahead!" He pointed to the bow. "I’ll be right behind you!"

Without waiting for my answer, he turned and sprinted toward Isabella, diving into the smoke.

Boom!

Another explosion rocked the ship.

A panicked crowd of guests stampeded past me. I was shoved hard from behind. My body slammed into the metal railing, and a sharp, tearing pain shot through my leg.

I crumpled to the ground, curling up in agony.

"Alexander!" I screamed his name with the last of my strength.

He seemed to hear my voice, stopping in confusion and looking around anxiously, but he didn't see me lying among the crowd.

Isabella frowned in his arms and seemed to say something.

Without hesitation, he tightened his hold on Isabella and ran toward the emergency exit on the other side, disappearing from my sight.

……

(Alexander’s POV)

Did I hear Sophia calling me? Didn't she go to the lifeboat first?

I stopped to look for her, but I couldn't find her.

Did I mishear?

Just then, Isabella cried out in pain. "Ah... my stomach hurts so much..."

She frowned, her face pale. My heart immediately sank; no matter what, this was my child.

I no longer hesitated and rushed to the lifeboat with Isabella in my arms.

"Doctor! Check her!" I roared at the family doctor.

The doctor hurriedly checked Isabella’s stomach. "Don, don't worry. Miss Isabella is frightened, but the fetus is stable. She's fine."

I let out a breath and called my head of security, Mario.

"Is Sophia with you?" I asked, looking back at the cruise ship, which was now half-submerged in flames. "I told her to run to the bow. Is she all right?"

There was a silence on the other end.

"Boss..." Mario’s voice trembled. "The Donna... she's not with us. We thought she was with you."

My heart stopped.

That voice I heard earlier really was Sophia's! She's still on the cruise ship!

"Turn back!" I screamed at the helmsman. "Turn the fucking boat back!"

BOOM!

A massive fireball erupted from the cruise ship's fuel tank.

In front of everyone’s eyes, the magnificent cruise ship broke in half and was swallowed by the roaring ocean.

"Sophia!"