CHAPTER 1

The heat of the oven hit my face with a vengeance as I pulled out the chicken that I had spent the entire day preparing. It was seasoned to perfection. I placed it on the kitchen counter and finally took a breath as I wiped my brow. I had finished with today's dinner. Now, I could rest—

"Vivian!" Clarissa, my mother-in-law, screamed, making my pulse jump.

I ran to where she sat in front of the television.

"Yes?" I asked.

Her cold eyes fell on me, a scowl on her lips. She pushed a plate in my direction. "I need more pie," she said. "It's a bit overbaked, but there's nothing else to eat around here."

I picked up the plate and made a beeline back to the kitchen. My heart sank when I saw what was left of the pie. Nothing. Just then, Diane, my sister-in-law, entered the kitchen with another plate and placed it on the counter instead of in the sink.

"You finished the pie?" I asked.

Her gaze hardened. "And? Who told you not to make enough?"

She didn’t even give me a chance to speak before she walked away to join her mother. I placed some cupcakes on the plate instead and went to offer it to Clarissa.

"What the hell are those?" she demanded. "Are you deaf?"

"No, no, there’s no more pie," I murmured, shaking. "I can make more tom—"

I never got a chance to complete my sentence before she slapped the plate out of my hands. "Are you that fucking greedy and lazy?" she roared. "You finished the pie, and you can't make more?"

I hadn’t even eaten since morning. I had been preparing for Luca's celebratory dinner.

Diane was grinning.

"Don’t mind her, dear," James, my father-in-law, said, coming into the house. "It’s to be expected of a spoiled brat like her," his tone was accusatory.

I lowered my head. "I’m sorry," I murmured. I just needed peace for tonight. After ten years of marriage, and my funding combined with Luca's work, he had finally secured an investment contract with one of the biggest companies in the city. I just needed to make this night special, and that would mean biting my tongue a little longer. Soon, it would be time for Luca and me only.

"Are you slow?" Clarissa barked. "Clean up the mess before my Luca comes home."

I quickly bent down, picking up the shattered pieces of the plate. My fingers trembled as I swept the broken bits into my hands, careful not to cut myself. Clarissa and Diane continued to talk over each other, their words stinging like a thousand tiny cuts.

"Hurry up!" Diane snapped. "Luca's going to be home any minute, and you're dragging your feet."

I stood, dumping the broken plate into the trash, my breath shallow. I’d barely gotten a moment to catch my breath when I heard the front door open.

“Luca!” Clarissa cried out in delight, her voice turning soft and sweet as honey. “Come in, darling.”

I turned around, wiping my hands on my apron, ready to greet my husband with the warmth I’d saved all day for him. But the smile on my lips froze.

Luca walked in, handsome as ever, his black suit fitted perfectly to his tall, lean frame. His blond hair was slicked back, his piercing blue eyes shining with triumph. For a moment, the exhaustion that clung to me melted away. I wanted to rush to him, to throw my arms around him in congratulations. But I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw her.

Evelyn Meyers.

Her arm was linked with Luca’s, her long dark hair cascading down her back like a curtain of silk, her smile radiant as though she belonged here. My heart plummeted, and my feet stayed rooted in place as the room seemed to close in around me.

“Oh, Evelyn! It’s been so long!” Diane gushed, rushing to her side as if they were long-lost friends. “You look stunning, as always.”

Clarissa beamed, her entire demeanor shifting into something maternal and loving, something she had never been with me. "You’ve grown even more beautiful," she said, her eyes sweeping over Evelyn as though she were the daughter she wished she had.

I stood there, invisible.

“Well, aren’t you going to greet our guest?” Clarissa’s sharp voice cut through the room, her eyes narrowing at me with disdain. “Get Evelyn something to eat. She must be starving after the long drive.”

My throat felt tight. I swallowed hard, forcing my feet to move toward the kitchen.

"Make sure it’s something nice," Diane added, her smirk cruel and knowing. "Nothing like the dry pie you made earlier."

Luca was the only one who smiled at me. He came to me and kissed me on the side of the head. "I missed you," my dread relented a bit. "And Evelyn wanted to celebrate with us, so I brought her along. Hope you don't mind?"

I managed a shaky smile. "Of course not."

He kissed me again. "That's why I love you." And then he was by her side again. I trusted Luca. It was just my possessiveness that was making me feel weird.

I kept my head down as I prepared a plate for Evelyn. My hands shook so hard I nearly dropped it, but I managed to carry it into the living room. They were all laughing now, talking about old times, about how Luca and Evelyn had once been the perfect couple.

"Here you go," I whispered, placing the plate in front of Evelyn.

She smiled at me. "Thanks... Vivienne, right?"

"Vivian," I corrected softly.

Clarissa laughed, loud. "Oh, don’t worry about her name, dear. She’s just Luca’s little wife. She won’t mind if you forget it."

I felt the sting of tears but forced them down. This wasn’t the time. Not yet.

"Go fetch some drinks," Luca finally spoke, his voice smooth as he smiled at me.

I nodded, obedient, and hurried back into the kitchen. The sound of their laughter echoed behind me. They could have this one celebration.

After ten years of marriage, and me funding countless failed ventures for Luca with my inheritance, we had become well-to-do. Luca had even told me to stop working at our company so I could be a stay-at-home wife. Now, the company would climb to new heights with this contract. And there was more good news—I was finally pregnant.

Luca smiled at me again as I placed the drinks on the table. He walked over, pulling me into a gentle embrace. “You’ve worked hard today,” he murmured, brushing a hand across my cheek. “Why don’t you rest now? I’ll take care of everything.”

I glanced at the dining room, where Evelyn, Clarissa, Diane, and James were chatting and laughing, barely noticing me. The warmth of his hand against my skin made me want to believe him. That everything was fine.

“I’ll eat with you all in a bit,” I said softly, hoping to join them soon.

But Luca pressed a glass of wine into my hands, his blue eyes fixed on mine. “You need to relax, Viv. I know today’s been stressful. Just go to bed early, alright?”

My heart clenched. I hesitated. "I... can't drink tonight."

He raised an eyebrow, concern in his eyes. “Why not? You’ve earned this.”

I didn’t say anything, swallowing hard. I couldn’t tell him yet—not like this. Not tonight. I smiled weakly. “I’ll save it for later.”

He kissed my forehead. “Good girl. Now, go rest. I’ll handle everything here.”

I turned, carrying the glass with me as I walked up the stairs.

I couldn’t drink the wine because of the baby.

I poured the wine down the sink and splashed some water on my face, trying to calm my nerves. Then I climbed into bed and got knocked out immediately.

After what felt like hours, I turned over, reaching for Luca. But his side was empty. I checked my phone; it was three in the morning.

A chill ran through me. Where could he be?

I sat up, my heart pounding, and glanced around. The house was eerily silent now. My pulse quickened. Where was Luca?

I walked aimlessly for a while, then I heard something, and it was coming from the balcony.

My blood ran cold.

I tiptoed in the direction of the sound. Then I saw them.

Luca and Evelyn.

On the lawn chair. Having sex.

My breath caught in my throat, and the world tilted beneath my feet. My husband, the man I had loved and supported for a decade, was here, making love to the woman he once swore meant nothing to him.

I stood frozen, my body numb, watching in disbelief as the man I had given my life to fucked his ex in my house.

Anger and betrayal filled me, my voice trembling with rage. “Luca!”

They both froze, eyes snapping toward me. Luca jumped off Evelyn, and she hid behind him.

“Vivian, I—" Luca stammered, pulling up his pants.

"Don’t even try,” I hissed, my hands shaking. “How long, Luca? How long have you been doing this behind my back?”

He looked away, frustrated. “Oh, come on, Vivian. It’s not what you think.”

“Not what I think?” I laughed, a hollow, broken sound. “I’m not stupid!”

Luca took a step toward me, his hand reaching out. “Vivian, please, just let me explain—”

“Explain what? That you brought your mistress into my home? Into the life I built with you?” My voice rose, fury choking me. “I gave you everything, Luca! And this is what I get?”

"I am a man," he said. "I have needs."

My ears were ringing.

"I thought you gave her the wine," Evelyn muttered.

"Shh, shh," Luca tried to quiet her, but it was too late. I understood immediately. The wine he gave me had been drugged so they could do what they wanted. My life was falling apart.

"I want a divorce," I began to walk away, but Luca moved fast. His eyes darkened, and all the guilt vanished as he stepped into my path, trapping me against the balcony rail.

“Divorce?” he growled, his voice icy and low. “You think you can just walk away from me?”

I took a step back, my breath shaking. “Yes. We’re done, Luca. I’m done with you.”

His smile was venomous now. He stepped closer, his frame towering over mine. “You think you can just leave? You belong to me. Where will you go?”

I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could, he slammed his hand against the railing, caging me in. “You’re mine, Vivian. You always will be.”

I tried to push past him, but he stepped in front of me again, his eyes burning with rage. “If I can’t have you, no one will.” His voice was a lethal whisper.

His words cut through me, sharp and cold. I took a deep breath, my hands trembling. “You’re wrong,” I said, defiant. “I don’t belong to you.”

His face twisted with fury as he leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. “You’ll regret that.” He stepped back, and before I could catch my breath, his hands came forward and pushed me. I was over the railing in a heartbeat, falling to my death.