The Price of Betrayal

Chloe bit her red lip, clearly unwilling to let it go.

She crumpled the pregnancy report, shot me a vicious glare, and played along through gritted teeth, "That's right, I really have to thank the Don for taking such 'personal' care of me."

I tuned out the rest of whatever she said next.

I silently did the math in my head.

Eight weeks.

Ten days further along than the secret baby growing in my own womb.

Meaning, the minute Vincent finished screwing her brains out, he came rushing home to play the deeply devoted husband with me.

A cynical smile tugged at my lips as my hand unconsciously moved to cover my flat stomach through the hospital gown.

Baby, it's a damn shame your Mafia daddy doesn't have an Oscar for his acting.

Sick of watching this pair of cheating bastards put on a show, I turned around and walked right back to my room.

Tomorrow was mine and Vincent's fifth wedding anniversary.

I harbored no illusions anymore. I just planned to get through this final anniversary with him, part ways amicably, and put an end to this relationship once and for all.

That night, Chloe texted me from an unknown number:[Let's make a bet, Madam.][Tomorrow is your fifth anniversary, right? I bet that during tomorrow night's dinner, all it will take is one phone call from me, and he'll instantly ditch you to come find me.][I know you've already figured everything out. But the one who isn't loved is the real outsider.]

I stared at the blatant provocation on the screen and expressionlessly deleted the text.

Then, I started packing my bags.

The next evening.

Vincent booked out the entire Michelin-starred restaurant at the top of the Empire State Building.

The place was surrounded by Family bodyguards in sharp suits.

As a violinist played a melodious tune, Vincent got down on one knee and slid a breathtaking diamond ring onto my finger, his eyes practically dripping with deep devotion.

"Mia, you are the only queen of my life. I swear, I am loyal only to you."

Right at that moment, the encrypted burner phone in his pocket started buzzing like crazy.

Vincent stiffened. He glanced at the screen, and the color instantly drained from his face.

He stood up, looking at me with anxious eyes. "Mia... all hell broke loose on Paolo's end. He's been shot. I have to go take charge of the situation right now."

I looked at him calmly.

"Today is our fifth anniversary. Do you really have to go?"

"I'm sorry, baby." He leaned down and pressed a hurried kiss to my forehead. "It's Family business. If I don't show up, the boys will lose faith in me. I promise I'll be back in less than an hour."

With that, he turned on his heel and briskly stepped into the elevator with his bodyguards without looking back.

I watched the elevator doors slide shut.

And with the closing of those doors, the very last shred of lingering attachment in my heart turned to ash.

I went back home, took out the divorce papers I had already signed, slipped the wedding band off my ring finger, and calmly placed them both on the living room table.

My phone screen lit up.

It was a photo from Chloe.

In the photo, Vincent was half-naked, sleeping exhaustedly in her bed.

The caption read:[I win. So what if you're hogging the title of wife? All the wealth and power of the Gambino Family will eventually belong to the heir in my belly.]

[Mia, are you jealous of me?]

I decisively powered off the phone and tossed it straight into the nearest trash can.

Then I got straight into a cab heading for JFK Airport.

Jealous?

I looked out the window at the flights taking off and let out a soft chuckle.

Vincent, since you've chosen her yet again, I'll just give you exactly what you want.

Touching my stomach, I grabbed my suitcase and headed straight for the boarding gate without looking back.

Baby, Mommy is taking you away.