The entire Chicago underworld knew that Marco Carbone, the Don of the Carbone family, was utterly devoted to his wife.

As his wife, I was the envy of every woman in that world.

But when Bianca appeared, I learned that a ruthless Don's heart could still be swayed.

Fearing I would discover his secret, he installed Bianca in a private villa on the shores of Lake Michigan, lavishing her with affection far from my sight.

Yet, he ended every tryst with the same cold warning: "If Aria finds out, you disappear."

But she refused to stay in the shadows. Emboldened by Marco's affection, she relentlessly flaunted their affair in my face.

Her very existence was a constant, painful reminder that Marco was no longer mine alone.

So, I decided to vanish from his world for good.

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1

I returned home to find Helena, our housekeeper, had already laid out the syringe for my injection, as she always did.

The familiar, sharp scent of rubbing alcohol filled the air, making my head swim.

Marco and I never had children. After a visit to the hospital, the family's physician informed me I would struggle to conceive.

The news shattered me. Marco, unable to bear my grief, hired the best doctors to create a specialized treatment plan.

Finally, a leading expert asserted that a special course of injections could improve my overall health and increase my chances of conception.

From that day forward, Marco oversaw every single one of my injections himself, making sure everything was done right.

Over the years, my arms became a tapestry of countless tiny needle marks; I had long grown accustomed to the cold, sharp pain.

He even postponed important family meetings for this ritual.

For five long years, I had taken this injection, custom-made for me by a renowned specialist he'd hired.

I used to think he simply wanted me to recover quickly so I could bear him an heir.

But I never imagined his attentiveness was a lie, a cruel performance to ensure I could never carry his child.

A bitter smile touched my lips as I shook my head.

I already struggled to conceive. Why go to such extremes?

He really, truly didn't want me to have his child.

Marco walked in as I was staring blankly at the syringe.

Seeing my vacant expression, he pulled me into his arms and asked softly, "What's on your mind, my love? Are you feeling alright? Is the injection making you dizzy? Should I get you some chocolate?"

As he spoke, he produced a bar of Swiss dark chocolate from his pocket as if pulling it from thin air.

The sight of his tender expression sent bile rising in my throat.

I suppressed the wave of nausea and said calmly, "It's nothing. The gala tonight was just so stuffy, and the smell of the alcohol is making me a little sick."

His lips tightened with worry.

"The temperature has dropped these past few days, and you're barely wearing anything. Are you feeling unwell? I'll have the doctor come take a look."

I shook my head.

"I'm fine, much better now."

Seeing my insistence, he dropped the subject.

I looked down at the syringe, my eyes stinging.

Marco was so determined to ensure I would never get pregnant with his child.

If he truly loved Bianca, he could have just let me go. He didn't have to be this cruel.

After the injection, Marco gently pressed a cotton ball to the pinprick on my arm.

He carried me to the bed, picked up one of my art books, and began to slowly flip through the pages.

As a painter, I'm always searching for inspiration. Ever since we married, Marco would pore over these art books with me every night before bed.

For five years, he never missed a single night.

Not wanting to take up his time, I once told him, "I can look at these myself. You have so much to deal with, running our family's affairs. You don't have to stay with me."

That night, he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, his voice thick with affection.

"Aria, I'd do this for you for a lifetime."

"I want to be the first thing you see when you wake and the last thing you hear before you sleep."

For five years, he always put my needs first, handling everything himself, no matter how small. In all our years of marriage, he never let another woman get close. Even at family banquets, he never let another woman within arm's reach.

Marco was young and accomplished, the Don of the Carbone family, yet after years of marriage, I had failed to get pregnant. The family elders had long been pushing for him to take a mistress.

But every time, he refused. For my sake, he even defied the elders.

During that time, he was in a precarious position, facing resistance at every turn.

Seeing his exhausted face, I cried and begged him to leave me more than once.

But each time, he would hold me tight and say firmly, "We are not separating. Never. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

I had even found myself envying... myself. I had the perfect husband in Marco.

The mattress was soft and warm beneath me. Snapping back to the present, I found myself already in bed, Marco having carried me there.

He tucked me in, his fingers brushing over my forehead.

I frowned and turned my head away, avoiding his touch.

"I'm tired. Don't touch me."

His hand froze in mid-air, then he gently ruffled my hair.

"Then sleep."

The moon was high in the sky. The sound of his even breaths filled the silence beside me, but sleep wouldn't come. I opened my eyes.

Marco's familiar, steady breath enveloped me, his arm instinctively tightening around my waist, holding me securely.

His arms holding me in his sleep—that was real. But so was his betrayal.

The next day was the family's annual charity gala. Marco said he wanted to announce our upcoming wedding anniversary party to everyone.

Before I could respond, Bianca chose that moment to appear.

The housekeeper came in and whispered in my ear.

"Donna Aria, Miss Bianca is here."

Marco frowned. He glimpsed her figure in the distance, a flicker of panic in his voice he couldn't quite hide.

"Didn't I say tonight was important? What is she doing here?"

I squeezed his hand to soothe him.

"Don't be angry. Perhaps it's something urgent."

My eyes flickered toward the silhouette.

It was Bianca.

I was about to signal the housekeeper to bring her over, but Marco stopped me.

He saw where I was looking, and his eyes darted away before he quickly explained, "Aria, I just remembered something urgent... family business I need to handle. Don't worry, I'll be right back. We can announce the party together then, alright?"

Hearing this, I fought down the churning in my gut.

I said firmly, "If it's business, then you should go. Don't worry about me."

With that, he hastily planted a kiss on my forehead and strode away.

Tears welled in my eyes as I watched his figure disappear onto the terrace.

This was the first time Marco had abandoned me in public for another woman. It would also be the last.

After he left, I couldn't suppress the agitation in my chest, my mind flooded with images of him and Bianca together.

In the end, I quietly followed him.

On a secluded corner of the terrace, a scene unfolded that shattered my heart.

Marco was holding Bianca in his arms as she leaned softly against his chest.

"Didn't I tell you not to appear in front of Aria? Why don't you ever listen?"

Large teardrops rolled down her delicate face. She pouted, a hurt, childish tone in her voice.

"Marco, I just had to tell you the good news. I didn't mean for her to see me."

She lowered her gaze to her stomach.

"I went to the hospital, Marco. We're having a baby! I was so happy, I couldn't help but come. Why are you being so harsh? You're scaring me and the baby..."

Marco froze, the words taking a long moment to sink in.

"Pregnant? You shouldn't be rushing around. It's not safe for the baby."

Bianca hugged his arm, shaking it coquettishly.

"I'll be careful. But can you stay with me today? Please? I don't know why, but ever since I got pregnant, I miss you even more."

Marco's voice turned cold.

"No. I promised Aria I would be with her tonight."

Bianca bit her lip, unwilling to give up, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Fine, then. I suppose the baby and I will just wait in that cold villa for the great Don to grace us with his presence."

A conflicted look crossed his face before he sighed in resignation.

"Just this once."

Her face lit up. She practically bounced on her feet and planted a loud, wet kiss on his cheek.

Marco watched her hopping around and frowned.

"Be careful. You're going to be a mother. Stop acting like a child."

Watching them kiss passionately, a blade of ice twisted in my chest.

In all our years of marriage, that tender look in his eyes had been reserved for me alone.

In the Chicago underworld, everyone said he was a decisive, ruthless Don. Only at home did he ever show that gentle side to me.

Now, that gentleness was being given to another woman.

His love was no longer mine alone.

Their car sped away, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. I gritted my teeth and told the driver to follow them.

Marco took Bianca to many of the places we had once gone together.

The memories Marco and I had built were being overwritten, shared now with another woman.

As evening fell, they finally drove towards the villa on the shore of Lake Michigan.

The villa lights were on, and the silhouettes of two people were reflected in the window.

They were embracing, their figures intertwined.

I stood silently outside the villa, not knowing how long I had been watching.

It wasn't until my eyes ached that I slowly closed them.

Back in the car, my voice was cold enough to shatter glass. "Back to the estate." The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror but didn't dare ask a thing.