Chapter 5

Katarina De Luca POV

For three days, I didn't leave my wing of the manor.

I told the staff I was sick. They brought me soup and pitying looks, moving on tiptoe as if I were fragile glass.

They whispered about the "poor broken wife" in the corridors.

Let them whisper.

While they whispered, I worked.

My loyal servant, Giuseppe, had been busy. Taking advantage of the empty house during the auction, he had discreetly installed micro-cameras in the study, the living room, and the hallways.

I sat in the dark, the cold blue light of my laptop illuminating my face.

I watched.

I watched Aria berate the maids the moment Alessandro turned his back. I watched her rifle through Alessandro's private files with practiced ease.

I refused to be the blind wife anymore.

The door to my room flew open.

Alessandro strode in. He didn't knock. He looked furious, his presence instantly sucking the air out of the room.

"You've been hiding in here for days," he snapped, tearing his tie loose. "Stop being so dramatic."

He walked over and slammed my laptop shut. He didn't see what was on the screen, and I didn't flinch.

"Get dressed," he said. "We have a dinner with the Rossi family tonight."

"No," I said.

He froze. "What did you say?"

"I said no." I stood up. I was wearing nothing but a silk robe, but I felt like I was clad in armor. "I am not going anywhere with you."

He stepped closer, looming over me. He used his height to intimidate. It used to work, back when I cared.

"You are my wife," he growled. "You do what I say."

"And she?" I pointed to the door. "What is she?"

"Aria is family," he said automatically.

"She is not your sister, Alessandro," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "I checked. Her parents are alive in New Jersey. She owes three million to the Cartel. She isn't a lost lamb. She's a grifter."

Alessandro's face went rigid. The color drained from his cheeks, leaving him ashen.

He was silent for a long time, the air between us vibrating with tension.

"I know," he said finally.

The admission hit me like a physical blow.

"You know?" I whispered.

"I know she's not who she says she is," he said, his voice suddenly defiant. "But she needs me. She... she gives me something you can't."

"What?" I laughed, a harsh, jagged sound. "Lies? Chaos?"

"Warmth," he said. "She needs me to save her. You... you don't need anyone, Katarina. You are perfect. You are a statue. She makes me feel human."

I looked at him with absolute disgust.

He was choosing a damsel in distress over a partner because his ego needed to be fed. He wanted to be a hero so badly that he was willing to be a fool.

"You are pathetic," I said.

His phone buzzed.

He looked at the screen, and his face softened instantly.

"I have to go," he said. "Aria needs me."

He turned to leave. On the table by the door, there was a velvet box. He had brought it in with him.

"Wear this tonight," he said over his shoulder. "Stop pouting."

He left.

I opened the box. It was a diamond bracelet. Expensive. Generic. A "shut up" gift.

I walked to the trash can and dropped it inside.

I wasn't going to dinner. But I was going to the Charity Gala next week.

I walked back to my laptop and reopened the lid. I opened the video file I had just recorded from the study camera an hour ago.

It was a conversation between Aria and her "brother" Rico.

I plugged in an encrypted USB drive.

I dragged the file over.

The progress bar moved slowly. 10%... 50%... 100%.

I pulled the drive out and closed my fist around it. The cold metal bit into my palm.

Alessandro wanted warmth? I was going to burn his world to the ground.

The game was set. And this time, I was the one holding the king.