Chapter 3

"Baby, you must've eaten something bad." Nico helped me back into the car, handed me a water bottle. "We should go to Northwestern Memorial."

I shook my head, feigning weakness. "No need. Just been stressed lately."

He looked thoughtful. "There's a charity gala tomorrow night. Should be fun. Would Mrs. Moretti do me the honor?"

A cold, sharp thought crystallized in my mind.

I smiled.

"Of course. Can we have it at the Peninsula? I like the food there."

Panic flickered through his eyes. He masked it quickly. "Of course, baby. Whatever you want. I'll have someone book it right now."

He knew.

If we showed up at that hotel together, the risk of running into his little mistress was too high. But how could he refuse his "sick" wife? Exactly what I wanted to see.

Back at the villa, Nico was unusually attentive. Made chicken noodle soup. Tucked me into bed. Checked on me every hour. The perfect husband.

But on his backup phone, I saw the message he sent Tiffany:

"Change of plans. Tomorrow night, meet in the private wine cellar downstairs. 8:30. More hidden, more exciting. Imagine... making love surrounded by all those expensive Napa Valley bottles..."

Little Wildcat: "Sounds amazing! I'll wear that red dress you love. Nothing underneath."

The bathroom shower shut off.

I put the phone back quickly.

Nico walked out, wrapped only in a towel. Water droplets slid down his sculpted chest. Four years ago, that sight would've made my heart race.

Now it just looked disgusting. Like a walking piece of rotting steak.

"Feeling better?" He sat on the edge of the bed, reaching to check my forehead.

I nodded, pretending to remember something. "Oh, almost forgot." I pulled the blue gift box from the nightstand. "Your anniversary present. I got too excited earlier."

He reached to open it.

I pressed my hand over his.

I touched his cheek, letting my fingers linger on his skin a second longer than necessary. "I want you to wait a week before you open it. A little surprise, okay?"

He looked at me, confused. "Why wait a week?"

I smiled. A mysterious, cold smile.

"Because by then, you'll understand what this gift really means."

He placed the box in the nightstand. "Alright. Whatever my wife wants."

The next morning, Nico woke early. Fried eggs, bacon, fresh-squeezed orange juice, my favorite drip coffee.

The perfect husband's perfect breakfast.

The doorbell rang.

Dominic stood at the door, holding a brown paper bag. "Boss, what you asked for." He handed it over, his eyes darting nervously.

But my eyes were sharper.

A small velvet box peeked out from a corner. Probably for that little rendezvous.

Dominic left. Nico returned to the table, casual.

I stirred my coffee, my tone offhand. "Nico, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"How important do you think loyalty is in a marriage?"

His fork paused midair for a beat, then continued cutting his eggs. "It's everything. Loyalty is the foundation of our world."

"Is it?" I tilted my head, playing the naive wife. "So you've never betrayed me?"

Nico set down his fork. Reached up to grip the silver cross on his neck. A gift from his father, sacred to the Moretti family.

"I swear on my mother's life." He looked straight into my eyes, solemn and sincere. "I've only been loyal to you, Olivia. You're my wife, my queen, the only woman in my life."

Flawless performance.

If I didn't know the truth, I'd probably be in tears, handing him an Oscar.

"So," I lifted my coffee cup, my eyes cold as iron, "what if you did betray me?"

He was oblivious, smiling easily. "Then let me lose everything. Let me wander this world like a stray dog."

"Of course, darling." I murmured, the coffee bitter on my tongue. "I'll make sure you keep your word."

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