Chapter 2

The wind on the terrace was freezing, but Killian's embrace was burning hot.

He didn't notice how stiff my body was. He just thought I was cold.

"They're out of your favorite vintage here." He wrapped me in his coat and kissed the tip of my nose. "Let's go home. I'll have them order your favorite French pastries."

He caught a glimpse of my phone hidden behind my back. A flash of curiosity crossed his eyes. "What were you looking at? So secretive."

I gripped the phone tightly, nails biting into my palm, and forced a flawless smile.

"A secret," I whispered. "I can only tell you in seven days."

Seven days later. Our anniversary.

The curiosity in Killian's eyes instantly melted into wild joy.

"Okay, I'll wait." He spoiled me with a head rub, his eyes full of devotion. "In seven days, I have the best gift for you, too."

The best gift?

What is it? Bringing Tessa into the manor openly, or a new trick to keep lying to me?

I smiled, keeping my mouth shut.

Back at the manor, Killian played the role of absolute perfection.

The high-and-mighty Mafia Don took off his custom suit, rolled up his sleeves, and cooked pasta for me himself.

Just because I frowned and mentioned an old stomach pain, he acted like the world was ending.

He drew my bath, rubbed my back, and carried me to bed. He patted my back like I was a baby until I "fell asleep."

How could a perfect husband who panicked over my single frown be cheating on me?

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have chosen to die rather than believe it.

In the middle of the night, a suppressed, angry whisper woke me up.

"How dare you come here!"

It was Killian. His voice was low and furious.

I kept my eyes shut, but my body turned to ice.

"Don, I missed you so much..."

Tessa!

I opened my eyes just a crack.

In the moonlight, I saw Tessa wearing my favorite burgundy silk robe, wrapping herself around Killian.

"We only did it twice today. I want more..." Her hands boldly slipped into his sweatpants. Her voice carried a sick thrill. "Boss, let's do it right here. Right next to the Donna. Isn't that hotter?"

My stomach violently turned.

"Get out!" Killian grabbed her wrist, but his breathing was already heavy. "If you wake Aria, I'll kill you!"

Tessa didn't back down. She pressed her chest against his, her hands getting bolder.

"She won't wake up..."

"Shut up." Killian's voice was completely hoarse now.

Those few seconds of silence felt like torture.

Then, a warm, large hand covered my cheek.

Killian was testing me!

He gently pinched my earlobe, and even checked my breathing.

I bit my tongue hard, using the taste of blood to force my breathing to stay steady. I didn't move an inch.

"Looks like she's dead to the world."

The mattress beside me dipped. He actually pulled her into our bed.

"Turn around. Bend over." Killian's voice was dripping with uncontrollable lust.

Then, the sickening sound of wet flesh slapping flesh echoed less than two feet away from me.

The large bed shook violently.

I was lying right next to them, my back turned to these two animals.

My fingers gripped the blanket until my knuckles turned white.

My eyes were wide open, staring dead at our wedding photo on the nightstand.

In that photo, his eyes were so clear, so devoted.

I still remembered the first time he held my hand. His palms were sweating.

He pressed my hand to his chest and trembled, "Aria, feel my heartbeat? It only beats for you."

When he first kissed me, this terrifying mafia tyrant actually blushed.

On our first night, he was so restrained yet so out of control. He kept me up all night.

Afterward, he held me tight and swore to God: "Aria, from now on, you are the only woman in my life. Everything I have, the whole empire, is yours."

And now?

On the very bed where he swore to only love me!

He fucked another woman all night long!

I listened to his dirty talk. I listened to Tessa's muffled moans.

My tears had dried up completely.

Real betrayal doesn't scream. It just hollows you out.

The next morning, blinding sunlight filled the room.

The space beside me was empty.

The door clicked, and Killian walked in with a delicate breakfast tray.

He wore a crisp white shirt, his hair styled perfectly. The devoted husband was back.

"Morning, baby. Did you sleep well?" He walked to the bed, smiling so softly it was as if last night's beastly sex was just my nightmare.

I didn't look at him.

I sat up expressionlessly, pointed at a large, damp stain on the bedsheets, and asked calmly.

"Killian, what's this?"