Chapter 1

"Boss... it's so hard, so deep... fill me up, please?"

The moans belonged to my former best friend, Tessa.

But the man thrusting into her like a wild animal, slapping her ass and groaning about how good she felt, was my husband. Don Killian.

The man who made sure all of Chicago knew he loved me.

He even implanted a micro-GPS chip in the back of my neck just to protect me.

He always knew Tessa wanted him. But he rejected her countless times. He once said publicly that if she wasn't my best friend, he would've dumped a bitch like her in the river.

But three months ago, she finally crawled into his bed. And everything changed.

Killian got addicted to her body.

Three months. Sixty-six times. And they thought I didn't know.

I stared at the calendar.

Seven days until our wedding anniversary.

I made a call and booked two surgeries. One to dig out the GPS chip. The other to give me a brand-new face.

Killian, since you betrayed me...

In seven days, I'll give you one last anniversary gift. And then I'll disappear forever.

Chapter 1

"Ms. Aria, are you absolutely sure about this?"

Inside the private clinic, the black-market doctor handed me the consent form with trembling hands.

"Digging the GPS chip out of your neck, breaking and rebuilding your facial bones... You are so beautiful, why would you..."

"Because I need to escape someone. Forever." I touched my face with a bitter smile and signed my name.

When I walked out of the clinic, the blinding sunlight made me squint.

Before I could take three steps, the familiar roar of engines echoed from the end of the street.

A massive fleet of black bulletproof SUVs pulled up. The doors swung open.

Chicago's most feared Don, Killian, strode toward me.

"Aria, how dare you go out alone?" He crushed me against his chest, gripping my waist so hard it almost bruised. "What if you were in danger?!"

I rested my head against his broad chest. My voice was very light. "I just needed some air. You got here fast."

"With this chip, I can find you in a second." He looked down, obsessively kissing the raised skin on the back of my neck. "I can never bear losing you again."

Three years ago, I was kidnapped by a rival family.

He went insane searching for me for three days and three nights.

When he finally pulled me from the pool of blood, this ruthless tyrant cried like a broken man.

"Thank God you're alive," he had whispered, kissing every scar on my body. "Or I would have chopped everyone involved to pieces and thrown them into the Chicago River!"

The kidnapper's corpse had been left hanging upside down on a bridge to rot.

People always whispered when we walked by.

"My God, that's Don Killian and his wife Aria!"

"He spent billions on their wedding and bought a whole luxury street for her! He's madly in love!"

"I heard he had a custom tracker made just to keep her safe. She's his only weakness!"

Killian ignored their voices and carefully guided me into his car.

But the moment the door shut, my stomach churned.

Sitting in the passenger seat was my former best friend, Tessa.

"Boss, Aria. The restaurant is booked. Shall we go?"

She turned her head. I clearly saw a dark purple hickey on her neck.

Seeing me staring, Tessa panicked and pulled up her collar. "Sorry, Aria... my boyfriend and I were a little rough last night..."

"Keep your trashy life to yourself," Killian snapped, his voice pure ice. "Don't disrespect my wife with your mess. And watch how you address her!"

"Yes, Don. I'm sorry..." Tessa kept her head down, apologizing repeatedly.

I looked away, drowning in irony.

This woman used to be my best friend. I took care of her since we were kids. After I married Killian, I even got her a job in the syndicate. Yet she chased my husband behind my back.

Back then, Killian told everyone: "If it weren't for Aria, a woman like her would be fish food by now."

I was so touched by his protection. I even begged him to spare her life.

But three months ago, she got him drunk and succeeded. Everything changed.

Ever since then, my husband—the man who claimed to love me most—became utterly addicted to her body.

In the headquarters, in the safe houses, they fucked everywhere in every position.

Just then, Killian turned his head slightly. I caught a glimpse of a faint bite mark deep under his collar.

A knife twisted in my gut.

He couldn't even resist fucking her in the half-hour before picking me up?

The car stopped at the most exclusive restaurant in the Gold Coast. The waiter respectfully led us to the VIP room.

"The chef prepared the Wagyu special tonight."

I sat there absentmindedly, staring at the expensive steak. I had zero appetite.

"Is it bad?" Killian noticed I hadn't touched my fork.

Before I could answer, he stood up, grabbed his whiskey glass, and smashed it against the wall.

"Ah!"

A shard of glass cut Tessa's cheek. Blood instantly welled up.

"Who picked this place? You dare disappoint my wife?" Killian roared.

"Killian, don't." I softly touched his arm.

He instantly softened. He leaned down and kissed my lips. "Sorry, baby. I'll go mix your favorite drink myself. Let's see what else you'd like to eat."

He turned and left.

Two minutes later, Tessa covered her bleeding face, excused herself to the restroom, and left too.

A strong intuition gripped me.

I stood up and followed them like a ghost.

At the end of the hallway, a VIP room door was slightly ajar.

There was no sound of mixing drinks.

I peeked through the crack.

Inside, Killian had his back to the door. He had Tessa pinned hard against the sofa.

He was thrusting his hips wildly. Every strike was brutal and deep, like he wanted to break her in half.

"Don... ah... it's too deep..."

"Shut up, you slut!" Killian gripped her waist, panting and cursing. "How dare you tempt me here? Why the fuck is your body so tight? You're milking me dry!"

"Because I love you... I ride you so much better than Aria does..."

"Don't you dare say her name!" Killian slammed into her with a wet, heavy thud, his voice cold and warning. "You're just a hole for me to use! You're not worth a single hair on her head. Cover up your hickey. If Aria finds out, I will skin you alive!"

I covered my mouth tightly. Tears crashed silently onto the back of my hand.

My nails dug into my palms until they bled, but I couldn't feel the pain.

The man who gently told all of Chicago that I was his world, was currently fucking another woman like a savage beast.

I don't know how I escaped that hallway.

I stumbled out onto the terrace. The night wind dried my tears, leaving only a bone-chilling cold.

I took out my phone and drafted a divorce agreement in my notes.

Just as I locked the screen, a pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind.

"Why aren't you at the table?" Killian's voice was hoarse from his recent release. His eyes were red with panic.

I turned around and looked at the Don who had just pulled out of another woman.

No screaming. No exposing him.

I just looked at him with dead calm. "How did you find me so fast?"

Killian cupped my face and kissed my lips deeply.

"Sweetheart," he rested his forehead against mine, his voice sickeningly sweet. "The chip I gave you. I can track you perfectly. No matter where you go, I will always find you."

Listening to his sweet lies, I smiled and kissed him back. But in my heart, the countdown began.

No, Killian. Only seven days left.

In seven days, you will never find me again.

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?"

Chapter 3

Killian followed my finger.

It was the filthy stain he and Tessa left on this bed last night.

But he didn't even blink. A casual smile formed on his lips.

"I came out of the shower to get a drink this morning and spilled some water." He put the tray down and sat on the edge of the bed.

Not a single trace of panic.

The same hands that had ruthlessly ravaged another woman's body last night now gently pressed against my lower stomach.

His warm palm slowly rubbed my old wound.

"Does it still hurt, baby?" He looked into my eyes, drowning in tenderness, as if I were his most precious treasure.

I stared dead at the man in front of me.

No guilt in his deep eyes. No hesitation.

How does he do it?

Like a split-personality psychopath.

Fucking another woman raw on this bed, then putting on a holy, devoted face to care for my pain.

"It doesn't hurt anymore." I lowered my eyes, forcing down the urge to vomit.

Killian kissed my forehead. "Good. Get dressed. I'm taking you somewhere."

Two hours later, the roar of a helicopter shattered the peace of the lakefront.

Killian held me as we stepped off the private chopper.

Tessa followed closely behind as his assistant.

The wind whipped up the sand.

Before us stood a top-tier casino right on a private beach. Dripping in gold and pure luxury.

Dozens of men in black suits were already waiting.

"Boss! Donna!" The men shouted in unison, bowing respectfully.

Killian gripped my waist tighter, pointed at the cash-cow casino, and announced to everyone.

"From today on, the Crown Casino belongs to the Donna!"

The men erupted in cheers and applause.

Killian leaned down to my ear, his voice low and sexy. "For you. Just because last year you casually mentioned the view here was pretty."

My heart dropped into an ice box.

How pathetic. How absurd.

He remembered a random comment I made a year ago.

Yet he could cheat on me for three months straight, treating his wedding vows like trash under his shoes.

Before I could snap out of this tearing irony, a sweating dealer scrambled over.

"Boss! Bad news!" The dealer dropped to his knees on the sand. "Roman's men... they took over the casino!"

Roman.

The head of the rival family. Killian's sworn enemy since childhood.

"Took it?" Killian's eyes instantly turned to ice.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Lazy clapping echoed from behind the casino's golden doors.

Biting a cigar, Roman swaggered out with a dozen heavily armed bodyguards.

"Killian, long time no see." Roman blew a smoke ring. He looked me up and down provocatively. "What? Trying to use my territory to impress your woman?"

Killian pulled me behind him instantly.

He drew his gun and cocked it.

The black muzzle aimed right at the center of Roman's forehead.

"Three blocks in the South Side for this casino. Hand it over."

"Keep your territory," Roman smiled arrogantly. "Save your breath. I'm not trading."

He walked down the steps. "Killian, you know I love taking your things. Your toys, your business. And of course... your women."

Bang!

Killian fired without hesitation!

The bullet grazed Roman's cheek and shattered the vase behind him.

"Roman, you have a death wish!"

"Don't be so rash." Roman waved his hand. "I'll give you a chance."

He took a revolver from his man, popped the cylinder open, and loaded a single bullet in front of everyone.

"Russian Roulette. You game?" Roman spun the cylinder. "If you live, the casino is yours."

"Boss, no!"

"You could die!"

"It's too dangerous!"

Killian's men yelled, trying to stop him, but he ignored them.

"Deal." Killian reached out and took the gun.

"No!" I finally yelled out.

Killian looked back at me, his eyes full of deep love. "Aria, nothing in this world matters more than you. I'd do anything for you."

Chapter 4

Click.

He pulled the trigger. An empty chamber.

My mind went blank. The only sound was the crashing waves.

The next second, strong arms yanked me against a hard chest.

Killian held me tight. His broad back was soaked in cold sweat, and his arms were trembling slightly.

"Crazy bastard."

Roman threw his cigar on the ground and crushed it with his shoe.

He stared hard at Killian.

"She chose you back then, and today, I finally respect it." Roman raised his hand and scoffed. "Risking your life for a woman. The casino is yours."

The crowd erupted in relieved cheers.

Killian let me go and gently kissed away the tears at the corners of my eyes.

"Don't be afraid, baby. It's yours." He soothed me tenderly.

Then, he turned his head. His devoted gaze instantly switched to absolute coldness.

"Tessa," he commanded coldly. "Get the first-aid kit. Wait in the VIP lounge. My head hurts."

Tessa immediately bowed her head and walked away quickly.

The sun was setting.

His underboss, Silas, walked over, looking a bit unnatural as he blocked my view. "Donna, the wind is too strong. I'll have a car take you back to the manor to rest."

I nodded and turned around numbly.

Halfway there, I realized I left my coat at the viewing deck.

When I walked back, the hallway was dead quiet.

Passing the half-open door of the VIP lounge, I stopped.

Two large bodyguards stood outside, smoking and whispering.

"Boss is in a rush, huh? Just played Russian Roulette and he's already fucking."

"He's got a lot of adrenaline. Good thing he sent the Donna away."

"If you ask me, the wife is a dead fish in bed. Why else would the Boss look elsewhere?"

"The one inside is a real whore. Think the Boss will let us get a taste when he's done with her?"

Filthy words. Every syllable was a stab to my heart.

I froze in place. I was so cold my blood stopped moving.

So, all his men knew!

They watched me play the clueless idiot, while secretly mocking and degrading me behind my back!

I trembled as I stepped closer to the crack in the door.

Inside, clothes were scattered everywhere.

Tessa's long legs were tightly wrapped around Killian's waist.

He didn't even take off his shirt. He just unbuckled his belt and pounded her violently against the expensive leather sofa.

"Boss... you're amazing..." Tessa cried out, taking his thrusts. Her voice was full of greed. "I want a gift too... Will you give me this casino?"

Killian thrust into her savagely, taking a leisurely drag of his cigar.

Through the smoke, he let out a cold scoff. "You're not worthy."

"Don..." Tessa squeezed out fake tears, desperately meeting his rhythm, begging pathetically. "Please... I'll do anything for you..."

Killian looked at her teary face. A wicked smirk flashed in his dark eyes.

He grabbed her jaw and kissed her deeply and fiercely.

"Serve me well, and I'll think about it." He panted heavily.

I fell into an abyss of ice.

How pathetic.

One second he was pointing a gun at his head for me. The next second, he casually promised this "life-threatening prize" to a whore moaning beneath him.

This was his deep love. Worthless.

Late that night, Killian returned to our bedroom.

He had washed off the stench of sex, bringing only the fresh scent of body wash as he pulled me into his arms.

"Baby, there was an accident," he kissed my hair, acting flawlessly disappointed. "The casino's books are a mess. It's a trap. I can't give it to you. I'll get you something else."

"Okay."

I didn't open my eyes. My voice was dead calm.

Killian froze. He clearly didn't expect me to accept it so calmly.

The old me would have been thrilled by a single glance from him, overjoyed by any gift.

Now, I was just cold.

His instincts screamed that something was wrong.

The next day.

Because of his lingering panic, Killian refused to let me out of his sight. He brought me to the legal corporate headquarters.

The entire skyscraper was on high alert.

Executives lined up, presenting me with priceless jewelry and limited-edition luxury goods like water.

Killian loved this god-like worship of me.

"Aria is my weakness, and she is the Queen of this empire." He pulled me onto his lap and announced to the room. "Everyone gets more authority and a raise today."

Deafening cheers and praises for me filled the room.

Just then, the office door was pushed open.

Wearing a tight pencil skirt, Tessa walked in holding some files.

"Boss, the executive meeting in ten minutes..."

"Get out."

Killian's face changed instantly. He glared at Tessa with freezing hatred.

"Can't you see I'm with the Donna? You have no fucking manners!"

Tessa's face turned pale. She bit her lip and retreated awkwardly.

The door clicked shut. Killian immediately turned and pinched my cheek tenderly.

"Baby, go wait in my private safe room next door. I have your favorite books in there. I'll come keep you company right after the meeting."

The safe room was dead quiet.

But the air felt heavy, suffocating me.

I opened the door and walked toward the rooftop terrace for some air.

As I got closer to the glass greenhouse, a blood-curdling scream came from inside.

"Ah! Boss! It hurts! I'm bleeding!"

Chapter 5

I froze in my tracks.

My eyes met Killian's as he rushed out of the greenhouse.

He was carrying a half-naked Tessa in his arms.

Bright red blood dripped from between Tessa's pale legs onto the carpet.

The moment our eyes locked, the invincible Mafia Don actually showed a flash of extreme panic.

But he was too good at lying.

In just one second, he stabilized his expression.

"Aria, Tessa broke a vase and sliced her wrist open on the glass." He clutched the woman tightly, brushing past me with frantic steps. He sounded exactly like a boss worried about his employee. "She's losing too much blood! I have to get her to the hospital!"

He didn't even wait for my response before vanishing down the hall, leaving a glaring trail of blood.

Broken glass?

I looked at the perfectly intact decorations in the greenhouse, and the shredded lace panties on the sofa.

The lie was insultingly lazy.

He wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.

I stood in the freezing wind on the top floor for a long time. So long that my hands and feet went completely numb. Then, I walked downstairs like a ghost.

The moment I stepped out of the headquarters, the sky turned black. A violent thunderstorm poured down.

My phone started buzzing like crazy.

It was from Tessa.

On the screen was an ultrasound photo.

In the bottom right corner, under the 'Father' section, a name was clearly printed: Killian.

Then, the second message popped up.

[Aria, I know you've noticed recently. Stop playing dumb.]

[See this? This is my baby with the Don.]

[He didn't touch me for two days, and he couldn't hold back in the greenhouse today. He fucked me so hard he almost made me lose the baby. He was so heartbroken just now.]

[You've been warming his bed for five years and couldn't even give him an heir. He says you're boring. He got tired of your vanilla sex a long time ago.]

[You have no idea how many positions I've tried with him. You don't know how addicted he is when he's deep inside me!]

It felt like someone had shoved a fistful of broken glass down my throat.

It hurt so much I couldn't breathe.

I remembered five years ago when I took that bullet for him. The doctors said my womb was damaged.

That was the first time Killian ever cried in front of me.

In front of all the Family elders, he pulled his gun, pressed it to his own head, and swore.

"I only want Aria! Fuck the heir! If anyone dares pressure her about this again, I will kill the entire Family! I don't care if my bloodline dies with me!"

Those vows that once made me willing to die for him were now the deadliest blades stabbing my heart.

Five years later.

The man who screamed he didn't want an heir had a baby with another woman.

The heavy rain smashed against my face. I couldn't tell what was rain and what were tears.

I ran wildly in the storm.

My mind flashed with illusions of Killian's past love.

Him renting out the entire plaza in Florence, kneeling among roses to put the ring on my finger.

Him blindfolding me, flying me to the Alps, kissing my hand under the northern lights, calling me the only light in his life.

His clear, devoted eyes that looked like he would give his life for me...

Killian, when did you change?

Was it three months ago?

Or earlier?

Maybe you were never the man I thought you were.

Maybe all the love, all the vows, were just a perfectly woven web of lies.

Overwhelming agony and despair swallowed me whole.

I couldn't run anymore. I swayed, took a few weak steps.

My lungs stopped working. The freezing rain swallowed me whole as I hit the concrete, and my world faded to black.

Chapter 6

The room smelled like bleach.

I slowly opened my eyes. The harsh white lights made me dizzy.

"Aria! You're finally awake!"

Killian grabbed my hand and buried his face in my palm.

His eyes were completely bloodshot, his hair a mess.

His handsome face was written with pure terror and relief.

"How could you run out alone? And pass out in the storm!" His voice was horribly hoarse. He carefully wiped my sweat with a warm towel while frantically kissing my fingers. "The doctor said your fever was off the charts. Your body almost shut down! Do you know you drove me insane?! You are my life!"

I looked at him quietly.

I looked at the seemingly pure panic and love in his eyes.

If this were yesterday, I would have hugged him tightly to soothe his fears.

But now, I felt nothing but absolute numbness and exhaustion.

Just then, his encrypted phone on the nightstand vibrated aggressively.

Killian frowned, glanced at the screen, and hesitated.

"Go," I said considerately, my voice weak. "Family business is important. I'm fine."

"I'll be right back." Relieved, he kissed my forehead and hurried out of the room.

The second he left, my phone under the pillow buzzed.

A text from Tessa.

[Wow, Boss is so nervous about our baby. I just told him the baby kicked, and he dropped you instantly to run to me.]

Then, a photo.

In the photo, Tessa's hand rested on her slightly swollen belly.

And on her middle finger was a massive emerald signet ring!

The highest ring of authority. The ring of the Mafia Donna!

[Aria, if you come to my ward right now, you'll see a lot of familiar faces.]

I ripped the IV out of my hand. Dragging my weak body, leaning against the wall, I walked step-by-step toward the VIP ward at the end of the hall.

The door was slightly cracked open.

Outside stood two rows of fully armed elite guards.

Inside, Killian's mother, and several high-ranking elders sat on the sofa.

"Killian, since Tessa is carrying your flesh and blood, just divorce Aria and marry her!" His mother, the Family matriarch, sneered. "Aria hogged you for five years and can't even produce an heir. What use is she? Are you really going to let our Family die out?!"

"Don't even think about it!"

Killian's furious roar echoed from the room.

Through the crack, I saw his dark face. He pulled his gun and slammed it on the table.

"I only have one wife in this lifetime, and that's Aria!"

"But Killian, you need an heir..." an elder tried to persuade him.

"Tessa can have the baby, but don't ask for anything else!" Killian was absolute.

The elders looked at each other and finally compromised.

"Fine. We won't force a divorce," the old Don sighed. "But you can't mistreat Tessa. She's carrying the future of this Family."

"The whole Family will cover it up. Aria will never know."

"This child is too important to the syndicate."

Listening to them, the world spun around me.

It wasn't just his men.

The highest authorities of the Family, his own mother—they were all in on this sickening lie!

He wanted to play the devoted husband with me, while keeping his mistress's heir.

He treated everyone as pawns, trampling my dignity into the dirt!

I panicked and turned to run.

I backed away, my chest heaving.

I slid down the cold hospital wall, burying my face in my hands.

A series of desperate, suffocated laughs escaped my throat.

Completely alone.

I was reduced to a pathetic joke, kept in the dark by the entire world.

Late at night.

My room was pitch black, except for the beeping monitors.

My phone screen suddenly lit up, burning my eyes.

Tessa sent a video.

In the dim lighting, Tessa's long legs were wrapped tightly around Killian's abs.

They were moving together rapidly. Skin against skin. No protection.

[The doctor said the baby is three months old, so we can have sex now. He pinned me to the hospital bed the very same night.]

[Sex feels different now that I'm pregnant. He doesn't have to pull out. Don says he loves the feeling of finishing completely inside me.]

[Aria, have you ever felt that? Your man belongs entirely to me now.]

Chapter 7

Watching that filthy video, listening to Killian's deep grunts and Tessa's shameless moans...

My heart, which I thought was already numb, was violently torn open again.

I had spent the last five days forcing myself to swallow his betrayal, forcing myself to wear the perfect mask.

But seeing him claim I was his life, while entirely emptying himself inside another woman...

It still made me sick.

I rushed into the bathroom, clinging to the toilet bowl, dry-heaving uncontrollably as tears flooded my eyes.

Why? Killian, why did you have to hurt me this much?

Why couldn't you leave me a single shred of dignity!

When the tears finally stopped, the woman in the mirror was pale, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

It's completely over.

The last bit of nostalgia I had for our past was crushed into dust.

At dawn, Killian finally arrived, having promised to stay with me all night.

"Why are you awake so early?" He rushed over. Seeing my swollen eyes, he immediately panicked. "Why are you crying? Are you hurting somewhere?"

He reached out to hug me. Fighting off my disgust, I leaned into his arms.

"It's nothing," my voice was hoarse. I purposely looked down. "I was watching a show. The husband cheated on his wife in their fifth year of marriage."

Killian's body instantly went rigid.

He grabbed my shoulders hard, forcing me to look at him.

"Aria, look at me." His pupils shrank, his eyes flashing with panic. "Don't watch garbage like that. I swear to God, I will only love you in this life."

"Really?" I reached out and gently touched his handsome face.

My cold fingers traced his brow, his lips, and finally stopped right over the artery on his neck.

"Killian, if you ever betray me..." I stared into his eyes, my voice absolute. "I will vanish. And you will never find me again."

Killian's heart jolted.

He grabbed my hand tightly. Then, as if remembering something, a confident smirk returned to his lips.

"Impossible." He kissed my fingertips. "Don't forget the micro-GPS chip I put in your neck. No matter where you hide, I can lock onto you in one second."

He was too arrogant.

Ultimate power and control made him blindly believe that technology and violence could forever cage a woman with a dead heart.

"Since you're so confident, let's play a game."

I pulled away from him, flashing a bright, innocent smile.

"Give me three days. For these three days, I will hide anywhere in Chicago. Once a day. Catch me if you can."

If this was our final goodbye, let it end in the most absurd way possible.

Killian tapped my nose affectionately. "Deal. Whatever makes you happy. But you better hide well, because I'll catch you faster than you think."

Day One.

Wearing sunglasses and a hat, I walked into Chicago's most chaotic underground black market.

In a hacker den smelling of blood and illicit trades, I paid a massive sum of crypto.

Five minutes later, every legal identity, bank account, and medical record tied to the name "Aria" was wiped clean from the national system.

When I pushed open the rusty iron door of the black market, bright sunlight hit the street.

Across the road, Killian was leaning against his bulletproof Maybach.

He wore a black trench coat, holding an unlit cigar.

Seeing me come out, he raised an eyebrow, his eyes flashing with arrogant victory: Look, I found you.

He walked over and rubbed my head. "Hiding in the black market? Baby, that wasn't very clever."

I just smiled and said nothing.

Day Two.

I went alone to the top international law firm downtown.

With senior partners as witnesses, I finalized and notarized the divorce papers I had prepared long ago, and arranged all the execution details.

When I walked out of the corporate building with the sealed envelope...

A familiar black armored car was parked precisely at the bottom of the steps.

Killian stepped out of the driver's seat holding a steaming cup of coffee.

He handed it to me, glancing up at the high-end law firm behind me.

Killian smiled, radiating the smugness of a man who held the world in his palm.

"See? Found you again. But why are you going to such weird places these past two days?"

Chapter 8

I took the hot coffee and met his curious gaze with a smile.

"Since it's a game, I have to go to places I don't usually visit," I took a sip, my tone light. "Otherwise, it wouldn't be hide-and-seek, would it?"

Killian chuckled and pinched my cheek. "You're so bad. But you're destined to lose to me, baby."

I lowered my eyes, hiding the frost within them.

Of course I couldn't win the first two days.

Because the real show was on the last day.

Day Three.

The day of our five-year anniversary.

The manor was decorated like a dream. Thousands of red roses paved a path from the garden all the way to the master bedroom.

I didn't leave the house.

I locked myself in the study and walked over to the massive stone fireplace.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces...

The blood-stained bandage he wrote his vows on ten years ago, right after taking a knife for me;

The black diamond insignia representing the Donna's absolute power, given to me when he introduced me to the underworld five years ago;

The custom wedding bands engraved with our initials, which he valued more than his life...

I threw ten years of memories, ten years of bonds, into the fire pit without a second thought.

I struck a match and dropped it in.

The flames instantly swallowed the bloody vows and priceless tokens.

I just stood there, watching my pathetic past burn to ash.

In the afternoon, Killian pushed the study door open excitedly.

He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, holding a velvet jewelry box. He radiated the pride of a guaranteed winner.

"It's day three, Aria." He walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "You haven't even stepped out of the manor. Looks like I won this game."

I pushed his hands away, my voice incredibly faint. "The day isn't over. I haven't hidden yet."

Killian paused. Just as he was about to speak, his private phone vibrated.

He took it out and glanced at the screen.

In that split second, his expression changed.

I knew it was Tessa.

Because she had posted a picture of herself in sexy lingerie that morning with the caption: Waiting for you.

This devoted husband—the man who was supposed to be celebrating our fifth anniversary—stared at his screen for a full minute.

Finally, lust conquered reason.

"Baby," he quickly put his phone away, making up a rushed excuse. "A gang war broke out in the South Side. Someone died. I have to go handle it personally."

"Go ahead." I turned around and thoughtfully straightened his tie. "I'll hide well. Come find me."

"Good girl. When I get back, I'll put this gift on you." He kissed my forehead hurriedly, turned around, and strode out of the study.

Watching his eager back, the last trace of warmth in my eyes died forever.

The moment he walked out the front gates...

I left through the manor's secret tunnel, heading straight for the deepest black-market clinic in Chicago.

On the cold operating table, the surgical lights blinded me.

"I'll confirm this one last time," the underground doctor raised his scalpel. "I'm digging this chip out without anesthesia. It's going to be absolute hell. And once I break and rebuild your jaw, you will never look the same."

"Do it."

I closed my eyes.

My phone screen lit up one last time next to the operating table.

A text from Tessa.

[Aria, happy fifth anniversary. But your Don is pinning me down right now. You lose.]

I smiled faintly. I didn't even take a second look.

The scalpel sliced my skin.

Agonizing pain. But I didn't scream.

Because every cut was carving the devil's filthy mark out of my flesh.

At 9:00 PM, I woke up in agony.

My head and face were wrapped in thick bandages. Every slight movement felt like my bones were being crushed.

But I refused the doctor's request to stay overnight.

I forced myself up and grabbed the fake passport I had prepared.

When I walked out of the clinic, Chicago's night wind was biting cold, but I felt freer than I ever had in my life.

I took out the old phone—which hadn't been destroyed yet—and sent Killian one final text.

[You can come find me now.]

After sending it, I got into an untraceable car heading to the international airport.

Half an hour passed. An hour passed.

The phone was dead silent.

I knew he was probably still sweating on top of Tessa, too busy to check my "game" text.

Until I stepped onto the VIP tarmac.

Until the exact moment I was about to board the plane.

The dead phone suddenly went insane. It vibrated violently!

On the screen, Killian's messages flooded in like a waterfall.

At first, they still carried the arrogant smugness of a man satisfied from sex.

[Baby, I handled the business. I'm coming to catch you.]

[You hid pretty far. Why is your signal so weak?]

Then, the tone shifted. There was a trace of confusion.

[Aria? Why isn't your dot moving?]

[Why is your tracker in a dumpster downtown?!]

By the end, the texts descended into absolute shock and pure, unadulterated terror.

[ARIA!! WHAT DID YOU DO?!]

[The signal is gone! This is impossible!! What did you do to the chip?!]

[PICK UP THE PHONE!! ARIA!! PICK UP!!!]

[WHERE ARE YOU?! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!!!]

[????!!!]

Staring at the desperate, frantic messages practically screaming through the screen, I could picture exactly how terrified and broken the untouchable Don of Chicago was in this exact moment.

Standing on the boarding stairs, looking out at the glittering skyline of Chicago, I smiled lightly.

I pulled the SIM card out of the phone and casually tossed it into a nearby trash can.

Then, I walked into the cabin.

And I never looked back.