Between Two Mafia Dons

The storm on the dark web hit suddenly.

Someone posted a bounty thread on an underground forum, exposing the messy love triangle between Chloe, Dominic, and Victor. The post called Chloe a mob whore who wrecked the marriages of the Russo and Costello Dons, playing two Mafia Bosses against each other.

The thread blew up. Soon, the Bosses on the Commission saw it.

The Commission lost their minds. Countless mobsters demanded she be executed by Mafia law for risking an all-out gang war.

That afternoon, Victor and Dominic stormed into my estate with their guards.

Dominic pointed a finger in my face and screamed.

"Vivienne, you vicious bitch! Chloe is pregnant. Are you trying to get her killed with this hit post?!"

I sneered. Before I could even speak, Victor stepped up and stood in front of me.

"Enough, Dominic. This is my house." Victor turned to me, slipping right back into his arrogant Don persona. "Vivienne," his voice was sickeningly calm. "I know this isn't fair. But the Commission wants blood now. Chloe is in danger."

"And?" I looked at the face I once loved deeply. He felt like a total stranger.

"I need you to post a video on the dark web using your real name," Victor ordered, looking down at me. "Tell them you made the whole thing up out of jealousy and spite."

I couldn't believe my ears.

"Victor, I'm a respected art restorer. If I admit to slander, my career in high society is completely ruined. Did you even think about me at all?"

Victor frowned. "I’ll compensate you. However much money you want, millions in offshore accounts—it's yours. You never have to work again, I can take care of you for life. But not Chloe. She can't handle this kind of shock right now."

I laughed out of pure anger. "I'm not taking the fall for this."

Victor’s eyes turned ice-cold. He pulled out a document and tossed it onto the coffee table.

"Vivienne, I’m trying to let you keep your dignity. If you don't clear her name, don't blame me for being ruthless."

I looked down, my pupils shrinking.

It was a divorce agreement drafted by a lawyer. And right underneath it was a photocopy.

It was Victor and Chloe’s secret marriage certificate! Issued exactly one week ago.

"What does this mean?" I was freezing all over, my voice shaking.

"You still don't get it?" Victor calmly dropped the cruelest truth. "A month ago, when I took you to sign the family trust papers, I slipped the divorce papers in."

"You signed them a long time ago, Vivienne."

"The child in Chloe's belly has to be the legitimate Costello heir. She needs the title."

My mind went completely blank. Nausea rolled wildly in my stomach again.

"By the way, I’ve already issued a statement on the dark web under the Costello family name," Victor said, adjusting his tie. "It clearly states that I kicked you out a month ago. That bounty thread was just the insane ramblings of a pathetic, mentally unstable ex-wife out for revenge."

I trembled, my nails biting deep into my palms.

Seeing me about to collapse, a flash of charitable pity actually crossed Victor's eyes. He took a step forward, trying to stroke my hair like he used to.

"Be a good girl, Vivienne." He spoke with the ultimate gentleness, saying the most vicious words. "Just play along for now. Once Chloe has the baby and secures the family inheritance, the Commission will back off. Then I’ll divorce her immediately and marry you again."

Smack!

Using every ounce of my strength, I slapped him hard across the face. The blow was so heavy that Victor's head snapped to the side. His gold-rimmed glasses hit the floor, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Get out." I pointed at the door, my voice like ice. "Take your precious Chloe and get the hell out of my house!"

Victor touched his lip. His eyes grew dark and dangerous.

Beside him, Dominic laughed, gloating. "Wake up, Vivienne. No one is ever going to love a boring woman like you."

They slammed the door and left.

Drained of all strength, I slid to the floor.

Victor's statement blew up. The homepage of my gallery was swarmed. Countless insults and curses flooded in.

[So Vivienne Costello was the crazy, obsessed stalker all along.]

[Disgusting. Making up rumors about someone else just because she got dumped. How is a bitch like this even allowed in the art world?!]