Chapter 1

“Help me fake my death and arrange a completely new identity.”

“Donna,” the man was clearly shocked. “Why? The Don dotes on you. The whole of Sicily knows—”

“That’s none of your business,” I interrupted him. “I’m leaving in five days.”

Walking out of the black market, the LED screen in the square was still showing footage of my lavish wedding with Don Alexander three years ago, a ceremony that cost over $500 million.

Everyone thought Don Alexander loved me deeply, and I thought so too.

Until this afternoon, on our third wedding anniversary, I returned to Sicily early, hiding in the lounge of my husband—Don Alexander’s—office, wanting to surprise him.

Instead, I saw his secretary hiding under his desk.

While the underboss Marco was reporting the losses from the dock smuggling operation, Isabella was kneeling between Alexander’s legs, skillfully unbuttoning his trousers. Her head bobbed up and down.

After Marco left, Isabella smiled seductively. “Could your Donna serve you like this during a meeting?”

Alexander’s voice was filled with desire. His hands kneaded her breasts. “Sophia is too conventional, too boring. You’re much more exciting in bed, you little slut.”

I covered my mouth, completely devastated.

But when I actually left, the Don, who had found me boring, was the one who completely broke down.

Chapter 1

I finished my arms dealing business in Milan early, flying straight back to Sicily. Today was our third wedding anniversary. I wanted to surprise my husband —— Don Alexander.

I slipped quietly into the headquarters building. My plan was simple - hide in Alexander's office lounge and jump out to embrace him after his meeting.

Through the half-open door, I watched Alexander sitting behind that black desk. His expression was serious as he listened to Marco, his second-in-command, report on losses from the dock smuggling operation.

"Boss, that shipment was seized by customs. We're looking at about three million in losses," Marco said respectfully.

I was thinking about how to comfort Alexander over the loss when I noticed something that made my blood freeze.

A golden head emerged from under the desk.

Isabella. His secretary.

She was kneeling between Alexander's legs, skillfully unbuttoning his pants. Her head bobbed up and down in a rhythm that made my stomach lurch.

My heart stopped beating.

Alexander continued discussing business with Marco as if the woman between his legs didn't exist. His face showed no change in expression.

"Next month's shipping routes need to be rearranged," Alexander said. His voice remained calm, but I could hear the underlying pleasure.

After Marco nodded and left, Alexander grabbed Isabella and pulled her onto the desk. He roughly tore open her silk blouse. Buttons scattered across the floor.

"Darling, you're so rough today..." Isabella gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Alexander chuckled softly. His hands didn't stop moving. "Slow down. This suit was picked by Sophia. Can't have it wrinkled when I need to explain."

Isabella laughed seductively. "Can your Donna serve you like I do during meetings?"

Alexander's voice was thick with desire. His hands kneaded her breasts. "Sophia is too proper, too boring. She's nothing like you, you little slut."

I pressed my hand over my mouth. Tears blurred my vision.

My heart felt like someone was cutting it with a dull knife. Each cut went deeper than the last.

Three years of marriage. This was how he really saw me.

Too proper. Too boring.

The moaning continued for a full hour. My heart gradually went numb from the searing pain.

I waited until Alexander and Isabella left before emerging from the headquarters building. The cold wind outside cut my face like knives.

In the plaza outside, a massive LED screen was playing footage of our wedding from three years ago. The five-hundred-million-dollar ceremony that the media called the wedding of the century.

On screen, Alexander knelt on one knee. He held a ring with a ten-carat pink diamond in both hands. His voice was solemn as he made his vow. "Sophia, I swear on my life to protect you and love you forever."

Passersby stopped to watch. Their voices carried admiration and envy.

"Look how much our Don loves his wife!"

"Now that's true love!"

I stood in the crowd, watching the passionate man on screen. The image of Isabella between his legs flashed in my mind. The irony was unbearable.

An hour later, I walked into Sicily's largest black market trading post.

This place was filled with every kind of dirty deal imaginable. But they had one rule - absolute secrecy.

"Donna?" A raspy voice emerged from behind cigarette smoke. "If your husband knew you were here, he'd turn all of Italy upside down."

I didn't waste time with small talk. I pushed a bag of uncut blood diamonds across the table.

"I need you to arrange a completely new identity. And I need you to stage my death." My voice was as calm as if I were discussing the weather. "I want Donna Sophia Rossi to disappear from this world completely."

The man was clearly shocked. "Why? The Don adores you. All of Sicily knows-"

"That's not your concern." I cut him off. My voice was so decisive it surprised even me. "How long will it take?"

"I need to ask my boss." He went outside to make a phone call.

Soon, he returned and replied. "Five days. Everything will be ready."

Chapter 2

The next morning, I printed out a divorce agreement. I signed my name without hesitation.

I carefully placed it in an elegant velvet box and tied it with a beautiful bow.

Pretending I had just returned from my arms dealing business in Milan, I dragged my suitcase into the manor's main hall.

Alexander was standing there. The family's personal tailor was measuring him for a new custom suit.

When he saw me, his face lit up with surprise. He rushed over and pulled me into his arms.

"Sophia, baby, you're finally back." He held me tightly around the waist. His chin rested in the curve of my neck. His voice was low and carried a hint of complaint like a spoiled child. "You were gone for an entire week dealing arms this time. Without you here, even the air in Sicily felt stifling. Do you know you missed our anniversary yesterday? How should I punish you?"

I stood rigid in his embrace. I could smell perfume on him.

It wasn't a brand I wore.

"Some complications delayed me," I said calmly.

"Come, help me choose a tie." He took my hand and led me toward the tailor. "You always have excellent taste."

The tailor respectfully unbuttoned Alexander's shirt collar to replace it with a properly sized tie.

A slender pearl earring slipped from his collar and dropped onto the Persian carpet.

It was the same style Isabella had worn yesterday. I remembered it clearly.

The air froze for a moment. The tailor held his breath. The bodyguards around us lowered their heads.

Alexander's expression didn't change. He bent down to pick up the earring and casually tossed it to a nearby bodyguard. "Some maid must have dropped it while ironing. Deal with it later."

He wrapped his arm around my waist. His warm breath tickled my ear. "Later I'll take you shopping on Fifth Avenue. We'll make up for a perfect wedding anniversary."

I looked at his handsome, affectionate face. A dull ache spread through my chest.

"Don, your new suit will be delivered soon," the tailor said. He packed up his tools and bowed respectfully before leaving.

Alexander noticed my lack of enthusiasm. He touched my cheek with concern. "Darling, you look uncomfortable. Was the arms dealing too exhausting this time?"

"Just a little tired," I replied dismissively.

"Then don't go next time." He held me with what seemed like genuine care. "I'll handle all the family business. You just need to stay home and keep me company. As long as you're by my side, I'm satisfied."

I smiled coldly in his arms. Stay peacefully at home while watching him enjoy himself with his secretary in the office?

"There won't be a next time," I whispered back. Really, there truly wouldn't be a next time.

I calmly handed him the box containing the divorce agreement. "This is for you."

Alexander's eyes sparkled with delight. "Is this an anniversary gift? My Sophia is always so thoughtful."

I smiled and nodded.

He eagerly reached to untie the bow. I pressed my hand over his. "Don't open it here, Alexander. Promise me you'll wait four days before opening it."

He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why? What kind of treasure needs to wait four days?"

I looked directly into his eyes. "This is blessed by God; opening it prematurely would bring bad luck."

Alexander looked puzzled but smiled indulgently. He kissed my forehead. His voice was gentle. "Alright, since it's the Donna's command, I'll obey."

The next morning, Alexander canceled all family business and personally drove me to the shopping center.

He acted like the perfect husband. In the car, he was attentive to my every need. He even peeled chocolate for me by hand.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

A text message came from Isabella's number.

It contained photos of them making love in the office yesterday. The caption read: "Dear Donna, this is the Don's third anniversary gift for you. Do you like it?"

In that moment, my fingertips felt as cold as ice.

"What's wrong? Sophia, you look terrible." Alexander noticed my reaction. He controlled the steering wheel with one hand while reaching out to touch my forehead with concern.

I instinctively turned my head away from his touch.

"It's nothing." I closed the screen expressionlessly and turned to look out the window. "I just didn't sleep well last night."

He cursed softly under his breath. He seemed to blame himself for not taking better care of me. Then he started chattering about which designer bags we should buy later.

I looked at the fake, affectionate man in the rearview mirror. My heart felt like a wasteland.

It didn't matter. Only three days left anyway.

Chapter 3

When we stepped into Sicily's most luxurious shopping center, Alexander immediately rented out the entire building and cleared out all the people.

"Don, what do you need?" The mall manager ran over, sweating profusely and bowing submissively.

Alexander ignored him. His slender fingers traced along the neat rows of shelves. "Pack up all the blue items - jewelry, clothes, bags, everything. Send them all to the manor. That's my wife's favorite color."

"Yes, Don Alexander!" The sales staff immediately busied themselves.

I watched this extravagant scene with complete indifference in my heart.

At the haute couture shoe section, Alexander suddenly knelt down. In full view of everyone, he dropped to one knee in front of me.

He gently grasped my ankle and carefully changed my shoes to a pair of sapphire blue heels. His movements were tender and focused.

"Sophia, what do you think of these?" He looked up at me with deep, devoted eyes.

The store clerks whispered among themselves in the distance.

"Look how much our Don spoils the Donna!"

"He's treating the Donna like the queen of Sicily!"

"Now that's true love!"

I looked down at the top of his head. I remembered how roughly he had handled Isabella in his office two days ago. My stomach churned violently.

Just then, Isabella walked up to us, holding an exquisite black velvet gift box.

Alexander’s face changed the moment he saw her, but he quickly regained his composure, acting as if nothing was wrong.

I saw everything but said nothing.

"Don, this is the gift you ordered for the Donna," Isabella said, opening the box in front of everyone. "It's the dress for the upcoming anniversary gala."

Inside was an extremely explicit lingerie set with cold metal chains. The fabric was scandalously minimal, and the size was obviously too small.

The air froze instantly. The crowd fell into a deathly silence, followed by frantic whispers.

Isabella suddenly turned pale and fell to her knees. "I'm so sorry! I grabbed the wrong box! This was a surprise for my husband for our anniversary tonight. I... I meant to wear it for him."

Alexander's gaze darkened, and a hint of desire flickered in his eyes.

But he quickly suppressed it.

He shot to his feet and kicked the box aside and roared, "How dare you bring this filth in front of my wife!"

"Don! I... I don't know! I must have accidentally packed the wrong things." Isabella almost cried.

"Apologize to my wife immediately!" Alexander's voice was cold as ice.

"Donna Sophia, I'm truly sorry! My behavior was inappropriate!" Isabella sobbed her apology.

I watched them perform, my heart cold and silent.

After he ordered Isabella to get out, Alexander turned to me.

He gently took my cold hands, his voice full of apology. "I'll have them prepare something ten times better than that."

He then presented another diamond necklace, but I accepted it with a blank expression.

Seeing that I had accepted the necklace, Alexander breathed a sigh of relief.

He pulled me into his arms, patting my back comfortingly. "There, don't let this clown ruin our anniversary. Let's go home. I'll personally prepare dinner for you."

Back at the manor, Alexander didn't let the servants help.

He went into the kitchen himself, tied on an apron, and started cooking my favorite mushroom risotto. "Rest, Sophia. I’ll bring it to you soon."

But he seemed a bit distracted; he didn't even notice that he'd added the black truffle sauce twice.

A moment later, he brought the steaming plate to the table and sat beside me, personally feeding me a spoonful.

Suddenly, his phone on the table vibrated. He snatched it up with lightning speed, but I was faster.

I saw the notification on the screen: a photo of Isabella wearing that metal-chain lingerie from the mall, spreading her legs for the camera.

Below the photo, it read: " Missing you already. I’m in your office…"

Alexander’s expression didn't flicker.

He locked the phone and sighed regretfully. "Darling, there's an urgent crisis with the arms shipment at the warehouse. I have to handle it personally. Eat first, don't wait for me."

"It's fine, go ahead," I replied calmly.

He kissed my forehead apologetically and hurried out.

After he left, I threw the mushroom risotto into the trash can.

Half an hour later, my phone vibrated. It was a video from Isabella.

In the video, Alexander was already in his office, his coat tossed aside. Isabella was kneeling between his legs in those metal chains. "Why did you pull that stunt at the mall?" Alexander’s voice was low and raspy, his hand gripping her hair. "You almost ruined everything."

"But didn't it make you want me more?" Isabella giggled, rubbing her body against his suit pants. "Weren't you dying to fuck me right there in front of your boring wife?"

Alexander let out a husky laugh, his wedding ring glinting as he grabbed the chains. "You little devil. You’re lucky I can't resist you in this."

"But you were just yelling at me like that!" Isabella said, feigning hurt.

Alexander chuckled, caressing her breasts, and said, "I'll make it up to you."

Isabella pouted, "Then will you take me to the cruise ship party tomorrow? I want you to fuck me on the deck."

Alexander frowned, hesitating for a moment, but Isabella lowered her head and took his already erect penis into her mouth.

Alexander let out a sigh of pleasure, then nodded in agreement, "Okay, you little slut. But if Sophia asks, you can only say that you're helping me with some family business as my secretary."

I looked at the screen and rushed into the washroom, vomiting violently into the toilet. I wiped my mouth, the nausea still rising, but a cold smile formed on my lips.

It's perfect that Isabella is going to the cruise ship party; I was worried I wouldn't have a chance to get away.

I messaged my contact. "The night after tomorrow, near the cruise ship party on the sea, will my fake corpse be ready?"

The contact replied: "Everything is ready."

I deleted the message and smiled for the first time in days.

Chapter 4

The next morning, a group of servants carried various haute couture dress boxes into our bedroom.

"Sophia, come choose a gown for tonight's cruise ship party." Alexander said excitedly. "I had them specially delivered."

I opened the boxes. Inside were all conservative long dresses with high necklines that covered everything up to the neck, even covering the arms completely.

"I love how dignified and elegant you look." Alexander gazed at me with deep affection, his eyes full of possessiveness. "I don't like other men seeing your body."

He pulled out a velvet jewelry box from his pocket. "And this, for my most beautiful wife."

Inside lay a priceless sapphire necklace, each stone as large as a pigeon egg. He gently fastened the necklace around my neck and kissed my throat softly. "Only this is worthy of you."

Just then, my Instagram sent me a notification.

Isabella had posted nine photos, all of extremely sexy dresses: deep V-necks, backless designs, slits up to the thighs, silk fabrics thin as cicada wings.

The caption read: "So torn, which one should I choose? My husband says dignified and elegant is too boring. He told me that tonight, being sexy is enough."

I looked at my phone screen, then at these nun-like conservative dresses in front of me.

How ironic.

That evening, the cruise ship party officially began. The massive cruise ship sailed away from Sicily's coast.

Alexander held my hand as we opened the evening with a graceful waltz. His hand remained protectively at my waist throughout.

Whenever other family leaders approached to toast me, he intercepted for me. "My Donna doesn't like to drink. I'll drink for her."

All the guests raised their champagne glasses, offering flattering compliments.

"The Don's devotion to the Donna is truly unwavering after all these years."

"To have Don's such devoted love, Donna is truly Sicily's darling."

Alexander wrapped his arm around my waist, gazing at me affectionately in front of everyone. "Sophia is the only woman in my life."

Halfway through the ball, a bodyguard leaned in and whispered to Alexander.

Alexander turned to me. "Darling, some urgent business needs my attention in the private study upstairs. I'll be back soon."

"Go ahead." I smiled and nodded.

Twenty minutes later, I excused myself from the crowd, claiming I felt a bit seasick and needed fresh air.

Before I could reach the railing to enjoy the sea breeze, a familiar, breathless moan drifted from the shadows beneath the bridge.

It was Alexander, who was supposed to be in the study.

Alexander had Isabella pressed hard against the metal railing. Her dress was hiked up to her waist, her legs wrapped tightly around him.

"God, Alexander... right here? On the deck?" Isabella panted, her head thrown back. "The guests are just inside... what if someone comes out for a smoke?"

"They wouldn't dare," Alexander growled, his thrusts savage and rhythmic. "I told the guards to keep the doors shut. No one comes out unless they want to die. Look at the sea, you little slut... scream as loud as you want, the waves will cover it."

"Am I tighter than Donna?" Isabella gasped.

"Shut up about my wife," Alexander growled, but his movements became even more violent. "This is just fucking. Don't get confused."

I stood at the deck for a full hour, watching those disgusting images. My heart had gone completely numb.

I forced myself to turn away and walked back toward the ballroom.

Just as I reached the entrance, a drunk guest stumbled out.

He didn't notice me standing in the shadows. He staggered straight toward the "show."

Three seconds later.

"GET LOST!" Alexander burst out thunderous roar.

The drunk guest scrambled back instantly, his face pale.

Alexander stormed out from the shadows, buttoning his shirt.

"If my wife hears a single word about what you saw tonight," Alexander hissed, "your entire family will disappear from Sicily by sunrise! Do you understand?"

"Yes! Yes, Don! I saw nothing! I swear!" The guest trembled violently.

The guest scrambled back into the ballroom. But he froze as he looked at the entrance.

I was standing near the entrance, looking calm and graceful.

Horror filled his eyes. He realized I must have been there. He knew that I knew.

The guest looked at me, terrified that I would speak.

I simply gave him a faint, knowing smile.

Before Alexander came back, I turned and returned to the luxury suite on deck.

Just as I reached the balcony, my phone rang.

"Miss Sophia, everything is arranged." A raspy voice came through the phone.

"Good, see you tomorrow." I replied softly.

Just as I hung up, Alexander pushed through the door. He seemed to have heard something.

"Sophia, what was that about 'see you tomorrow'? Where are you going?" He asked with confusion.

Chapter 5

I looked at him calmly, this man I had once deeply loved. Now in my eyes, he was nothing but hypocrisy and disgust.

"Meeting a friend for shopping," I replied indifferently.

"Which friend? How come I don't know about this?"

"You don't know her."

Alexander stopped questioning. He came over and embraced me, kissing the side of my neck as usual.

"My baby, you must be exhausted today?" His voice was gentle as honey.

But I could smell the lingering perfume on him, and that distinctive sweet scent that comes after making love.

I pushed him away forcefully. "Don't touch me!"

Alexander looked hurt. "Sophia, what's wrong? Why are you pushing me away?"

"I'm feeling a bit unwell." I said.

Suddenly, the world spun around me.

I hadn't slept much these past few days, and my body couldn't take it anymore.

Everything went black and my body went limp.

Before losing consciousness, I saw Alexander's panicked face as he caught me, shouting, "Quick! Call the doctor!"

When I woke up, I was already in the ship's infirmary.

Alexander was nowhere to be seen.

"Donna, you're awake?" the doctor asked respectfully. "How are you feeling?"

"Where is Alexander?"

"Don Alexander just stepped out. He said there was urgent business to handle."

I sneered inwardly. Urgent business? It must be Isabella needing something from him again.

"I want to walk around." I got up from the bed.

"Donna, you should rest a bit longer."

"I'm fine now."

I left the infirmary and searched along the corridor.

At the entrance to another infirmary on the lower deck, Alexander was supporting the pale-faced Isabella. His movements were gentle, as if handling fragile porcelain.

"Be careful, don't fall." His tone was full of concern.

Isabella leaned weakly against his chest, looking pitiful.

When she saw me appear, Alexander immediately released Isabella's hand. His expression became awkward.

Sophia! How did you come down here? Didn't the doctor say you needed more rest?"

"I just happened to see Isabella almost fall, so I helped her up," he hastily explained. "I have a lot of family matters to deal with these days, but I want to spend more time with you, so I've asked Isabella to help me handle some of the tasks."

Isabella spoke up then, her voice weak and delicate. "Donna, I'm so sorry. I felt a bit dizzy just now. If Don Alexander hadn't supported me, I would have fallen."

Then she deliberately caressed her lower abdomen, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "But it's understandable, given that I'm pregnant now. My body is always uncomfortable."

"Pregnant?" I looked at her expressionlessly.

"Yes, it's been a month now!" Isabella said excitedly. "My boyfriend was so happy when he found out. He immediately gave me a villa and a hundred million in cash as celebration."

She looked at me provocatively. "Donna, if you have time someday, would you like to have dinner with me and my boyfriend? Let me introduce you to him?"

Alexander’s face darkened instantly. "Isabella! Know your place. You think you're worthy of dining with the Donna?"

Chapter 6

Isabella shrank back from his shout, a flash of intense resentment and venom in her eyes. But she quickly lowered her head, maintaining her submissive appearance. "I'm sorry, Don. I spoke out of turn."

I watched their clumsy performance calmly.

"Since Isabella is fine now, let's go back." Alexander walked toward me, trying to take my arm.

I avoided his touch. "You two continue talking. I'll go back to the room first."

"Sophia, wait for me." Alexander hurried to follow.

Back in the room, he said with concern, "Darling, you look pale. Should we get the doctor to check on you again?"

"No need. I'm just tired."

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have made you attend such a boring party today." He said apologetically. "You don't have to come to these events in the future."

Suddenly, my phone vibrated repeatedly.

Isabella had sent a photo of an ultrasound report.

"The text read: Dear Donna, look at this. I'm six weeks pregnant!"

Then came a long message.

"You know what? Alexander is absolutely obsessed with me. On your third anniversary, he had me on his office desk for two whole hours."

"And on your birthday, he said dinner with you was too boring. He snuck away to find me. We tried every position on your bed."

"He said you're like a dead fish with no passion. Only I can make him truly happy."

"When he found out I was pregnant, he went crazy with joy. He said he'd give me the most romantic surprise to announce the arrival of our child to the whole world.."

My hand holding the phone trembled slightly.

Just then, huge fireworks exploded outside the window. I walked to the balcony and looked up.

In the night sky, Isabella’s name was framed by a massive, glowing heart made of golden light.

I stared at the sky blankly. I remembered our wedding night.

That night, Alexander was so happy he set off fireworks until dawn.

The entire sky was filled with "Alexander ❤️ Sophia." Back then, he swore I was his only queen.

Now, the same sky was celebrating another woman and her child.

Alexander embraced me from behind, resting his chin lightly on my shoulder.

"Isabella's boyfriend heard about her pregnancy and arranged this celebration," he explained smoothly, as if he had nothing to do with it.

"Do you like the fireworks?" His voice was gentle and affectionate.

"If you like them," he whispered in my ear. "Next time, I’ll charter the entire sky just for you."

I watched the brilliant fireworks in the sky, feeling only endless irony.

"I don't like secondhand things." I said coldly.

"What?" Alexander didn't catch that.

"Nothing." I broke free from his embrace. "I'm tired. I'll go rest in the room."

"Alright, sleep early." He kissed my forehead lightly. "We'll be back on shore in two days."

The next morning, a deafening explosion woke me up.

Before I could sit up, the bedroom door was kicked open. Alexander rushed in.

"Sophia! Get up! We're under attack!" He grabbed my wrist, pulling me off the bed. "A rival family launched rocket-propelled grenades at us. The lower cabins are flooded. The ship is sinking!"

"We have to get to the lifeboats. Now!" Alexander didn't give me time to put on shoes. He dragged me barefoot out of the room.

The corridor was a living hell. The floor beneath us was already tilting dangerously.

"Alexander! Help! Alexander!" A piercing scream cut through the chaos.

Alexander froze. Isabella was trapped behind a fallen beam near the lounge, waving her arms frantically.

Alexander’s grip on my hand tightened for a second, then loosened.

"Isabella is there," he said, his voice tense. "She's pregnant. I have to go get her."

"Go to the lifeboat! It's just straight ahead!" He pointed to the bow. "I’ll be right behind you!"

Without waiting for my answer, he turned and sprinted toward Isabella, diving into the smoke.

Boom!

Another explosion rocked the ship.

A panicked crowd of guests stampeded past me. I was shoved hard from behind. My body slammed into the metal railing, and a sharp, tearing pain shot through my leg.

I crumpled to the ground, curling up in agony.

"Alexander!" I screamed his name with the last of my strength.

He seemed to hear my voice, stopping in confusion and looking around anxiously, but he didn't see me lying among the crowd.

Isabella frowned in his arms and seemed to say something.

Without hesitation, he tightened his hold on Isabella and ran toward the emergency exit on the other side, disappearing from my sight.

……

(Alexander’s POV)

Did I hear Sophia calling me? Didn't she go to the lifeboat first?

I stopped to look for her, but I couldn't find her.

Did I mishear?

Just then, Isabella cried out in pain. "Ah... my stomach hurts so much..."

She frowned, her face pale. My heart immediately sank; no matter what, this was my child.

I no longer hesitated and rushed to the lifeboat with Isabella in my arms.

"Doctor! Check her!" I roared at the family doctor.

The doctor hurriedly checked Isabella’s stomach. "Don, don't worry. Miss Isabella is frightened, but the fetus is stable. She's fine."

I let out a breath and called my head of security, Mario.

"Is Sophia with you?" I asked, looking back at the cruise ship, which was now half-submerged in flames. "I told her to run to the bow. Is she all right?"

There was a silence on the other end.

"Boss..." Mario’s voice trembled. "The Donna... she's not with us. We thought she was with you."

My heart stopped.

That voice I heard earlier really was Sophia's! She's still on the cruise ship!

"Turn back!" I screamed at the helmsman. "Turn the fucking boat back!"

BOOM!

A massive fireball erupted from the cruise ship's fuel tank.

In front of everyone’s eyes, the magnificent cruise ship broke in half and was swallowed by the roaring ocean.

"Sophia!"