Running Away from My Mafia Lord Husband

On the night of their third anniversary, Valerio's enemies showed up and ruined the celebration.

It was the ninth time in three years that Serina had been kidnapped.

The man who once treated her like a treasure arrived an hour later, his shirt collar still revealing unmistakable hickeys.

Serina's eyes were bloodshot. Just as she thought she would finally be saveda single phone call stopped Valerio in his tracks.

"Val, I want to go out, but you tore my dress," a coquettish voice sounded at the other end of the line.

"Can you buy me a new one?"

The moment Valerio turned away without hesitation, a bullet struck Serina in the calf, and blood gushed out.

She was rushed to the hospital.

Outside her room, she overheard his deliberately hushed voice, "Danica's body is too weak. Serina will just have to sacrifice a little more."

"Now everyone believes Serina is the one I love most. That counts as protecting Danica."

At that moment, Serina finally realized the truth.

It turned out that the red dress he made her wear was only to make her stand out.

The public appearances he forced her into was just to draw attention.

Their three years of love was nothing more than a perfect disguise.

She once believed that she was Valerio's true love, but it turned out, she was merely a pawn to shield his real beloved from harm.

Serina sneered and dialed a number. "Close my account. I'm leaving this place and returning to complete my mission."

"Boss, are you really closing your account and leaving Salvatore?"

"All the men know he adores you. He wrote 999 love letters to marry you, and even cut off his pinky to show loyalty. Are you really leaving him?"

Serina's lips curved in a faint, bitter smile at her subordinate's astonishment.

"Loyalty?" she sneered. "Do you really think a mafia lord knows loyalty in marriage?"

"That fool Salvatore will die at the hands of his little mistress sooner or later."

Ignoring his bewilderment, Serina hung up decisively.

Valerio still didn't know her true identity. To avoid alerting him, she had to hide immediately.

She had barely slipped the hidden pistol beneath the pillow when Valerio pushed the door open.

His tall frame was wrapped in a sharp suit, and those gray-green eyes inherited from his father stared straight at her.

"Serina."

She glanced at him briefly and then turned her head away.

Seeing her anger, Valerio immediately softened his voice.

"Baby, I really had something to deal with," he said, as if unaware of his wrongdoing. "Besides, didn't I send my men to save you afterward?"

His voice was low and gentlea voice that once made her heart race. Now it only made her stomach churn.

"You were with Danica yesterday," she intoned coldly.

Valerio froze for a second before smiling. "She saved me back then. Baby, you taught me that people should repay kindness."

Repay kindness?

Serina's eyes were sharp. Ever since Danica arrived in Sicily, Valerio had treated her with utmost priority, never showing his ruthless side in front of her, indulging her innocence.

The first time, when Serina dealt with a family traitor, Danica rushed in, accusing her of using violence and letting the traitor go.

Valerio immediately sent men to massacre one of his own strongholds.

The second time, Danica fainted from low blood sugar outside a meeting room. Valerio, in the middle of a family meeting, immediately carried her to the hospital, leaving the mess for Serina to clean up.

She was forced to bow repeatedly to the elders, struggling to preserve a shred of dignity.

And now, when she was kidnapped and her life was in danger, he was off frolicking with Danica. A single phone call had even diverted him, nearly leaving her confined to a wheelchair for life.

In everyone's eyes, Danica was innocent and na?ve, while Serina who had spent three years by Valerio's side, became the ruthless, venomous woman.

Serina pressed her lips together, suppressing the pain in her chest.

"Don't forget, if she hadn't let the traitor go that day, I wouldn't have been captured!"

Seeing her expression darken further, he leaned down and kissed her forehead, the outline of a gun visible inside his suit pocket.

"Baby, stop thinking. Danica is just kind-hearted. She never intended for such a disaster to happen."

He smiled gently again and pulled out a velvet box containing a diamond necklace.

"There, it suits you perfectly." He draped it around her neck.

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at it and left in a hurry.

"Rest well. I'll come see you tonight."

The moment the door closed, Serina close her eyes and tore off the necklace.

She had just seen a message from Danica: she wanted to watch fireworks.

When she opened her eyes, the guards outside were staring at her. She lay on the bed, no longer struggling.

Her phone pushed a notificationDanica's update. She opened it and saw pictures of Danica and Valerio watching fireworks on a cruise.

The fireworks, designed personally by Valerio to cheer her up.

Serina's fingers paused.

He had used the same trick on her before. But ever since Danica arrived in Sicily, she and Valerio had rarely gone out together.

She was about to put the phone down when the necklace around Danica's neck caught her eye.

She compared it with the one she had just removedand realized they were identical.

Her heart skipped. She found the brand's official website and confirmed: it was a one-of-a-kind piece, the only one in the world.

Her own necklace, in comparison, was dull and fake. The real one had been given to Danica.

That night, her leg ached fiercely. She pressed the call button for a doctor, but no one came.

Helpless, she forced herself up and slowly opened the door.

The guard outside said, "Miss Anderson has a cold. The boss called all the doctors away to treat her."

Serina froze.

She had been threatened and nearly killed, yet she couldn't even summon a doctor. Meanwhile, Danica's ordinary cold warranted such fuss.

Even though she had lost hope in him, her heart still ached.

Luckily, in just seven days, she would finally be free of this man.

Serina was discharged after two days in the hospital. When she returned home, she found her ceramic little bear thrown in the trash.

It was the first gift Valerio had given her during her first year in Sicily, a token of their bondalmost like a pledge of love. And now, it lay discarded like garbage.

Before she could ask anything, Danica twisted her body out of the master bedroom.

"Sister," Danica's voice was soft and fragile, "you're back."

Serina frowned. "Who told you to sleep in my room?"

Ignoring the bear, she stormed into the master bedroomonly to find everything in shambles. Torn stockings and used condoms littered the carpet.

Her hand clenched at her side, body tensing, fury burning in her chest.

While she was recuperating in the hospital, Valerio had been entangled with another woman in their bedroom.

She could no longer control herself. Serina spun around and slapped Danica across the face.

"Didn't your mother teach you not to be a mistress?"

Having trained with Valerio for years, her strength was as strong as any mans, and a single slap left red palm prints blooming across Danicas cheeks.

Tears welled in Danica's eyes. "Brother-in-law was drunk that day! I... I didn't mean to ruin anything between you!"

"My mother taught me to be kind. I couldn't just watch him suffer and do nothing!"

She lifted her chin stubbornly, acting as if she had been gravely wronged.

Serina felt a wave of disgust at Danicas hypocritical expression and was about to throw her out when a cold, commanding voice cut through the air.

Whats going on?

Valerio rushed in. Seeing the red mark on Danica's cheek, his brow furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

But he only glanced at Danica before walking toward Serina. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and said softly, "Don't be mad, baby."

"That day I was drugged, and your leg was injured... I had no choice..."

"No choice," Serina sneered inwardly. His words sounded so considerate, as if he always had her best interests at heart.

She glared at Danica. "Get out."

Hearing that, Danica opened her mouth to argue, but Valerio's impatient glare silenced her.

"Didn't you hear my wife? Get out!"

Biting her lip in grievance, Danica fled the room.

Serina thought the matter had ended there. But the moment Valerio left, everything suddenly went black.

When she came to, her wrists were tied tightly behind her back and her eyes blindfolded. She couldnt see a thing. Rough fingers clamped her chin, forcing her head upthen a sharp slap cracked across her cheek.

Smack!

Her ears rang. Before she could steady herself, another blow came. Then another.

The strikes came fast and merciless, each one stinging hotter than the last. By the tenth slap, her cheeks were swollen, her lips split and bleeding.

You offended someone you shouldnt have, the man said coldly.

Serinas blood turned to ice. She knew that voiceit belonged to Valerios subordinate, the one everyone called Butcher, infamous for his brute strength and cruelty.

The mafia organization had a strict hierarchy. Without Valerio's tacit approval, how could he dare to harm her?

Suddenly, she remembered slapping Danica earlier. At that time, Valerio coaxed her so tenderly, and for a moment, she foolishly believed he was really concerned about her.

But this was the truth. He had only been waiting for this moment.

The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth; tears blurred her vision. In a daze, she recalled Valerio's solemn promise when they first got togetherthat he would protect her forever.

It had only been three years, but the so-called 'forever' no longer mattered to him.

Suddenly, someone approached. Serina tensed up, holding her breath. The next moment, the blindfold was ripped from her eyes. Blinding light made her wince.

Valerio seemed to have rushed in to untie her.

"Don't be afraid, baby. I'm here to save you."

Seeing the genuine concern on his face, her body trembled with a mix of fear and revulsion.

All along, he had subtly protected Danica while pretending to care for herthen played the hero in front of her.

"Valerio, do you even know who struck me?"

Valerios hand faltered in mid-air for a brief moment before he forced it to move, his fingers grazing tenderly over her swollen cheek.

"I don't know, but don't worry. I'll find them and make them pay."

Serina closed her eyes, forcing down the rising bile in her throat. She refused to respond.

When Serina returned home, Danicawho was supposed to have leftwas still there.

Not wanting to share any more glances, Serina lifted her foot to leavebut Danica called after her.

"Sister, I have nowhere else to go, so I'll just stay here for a while. You won't mind, right?"

Serina's expression remained flat. "Do as you please."

Seeing the redness on her face, Danica's eyes glimmered with barely hidden triumph.

"But I haven't been sleeping well, so I'll need the master bedroom," she added, her voice growing more audacious.

Serina paused at her audacity, then lifted the corners of her lips with a faint, icy smile. "Suit yourself."

Without another word, she returned to the master bedroom to pack her things. She had no reason to waste time lingering in one roomshe was leaving soon anyway.

As she packed up, she noticed the exquisite gifts displayed in the closettokens Valerio had given her over the years. She had once treasured them as symbols of love. Now, they only seemed glaring and empty.

After quickly tidying up the bedding, Serina moved to the guest room.

She was just about to lie down when Valerio entered.

He applied ointment carefully to her swollen face, then wrapped her in his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"She wants the master bedroom. I'll sleep here with you," he murmured, lying down with her without waiting for a reply.

To any outsider, he seemed like a devoted, attentive partner. If she hadn't seen through his mask, she might have been fooled.

Feeling the hypocrisy of it all, she tried to pull awaybut he held her tighter.

It wasn't until the middle of the night that she could finally close her eyes.

At dawn, the pounding of heavy rain pulled her from sleep. She instinctively reached behind her, only to find the space beside her empty.

The man who once held her through the night was gone.

She got up and went to the master bedroom. Through the slightly open door, she heard wet, intimate sounds and a woman's soft moans.

Her fingers curled against the doorframe as she hesitated to turn awaythen a sudden thud echoed from within.

The box she had once placed in the master bedroom had been knocked over, its contents spilling across the floor.

The couple on the bed paid it no mind, lost in their fevered embrace.

That box had held the nine hundred and ninety-nine love letters Valerio once wrote to win her heart. She could still recall his delighted, tender smile as he handed them to her. Now, those vows of devotion lay scattered like meaningless scraps.

Serinas gaze lingered on the scattered love letters until a chill seeped through her bones. Only then did she turn and leave.

She had barely slept that night. When she woke up again, Valerio was gone.

Heading downstairs for breakfast, she came face to face with Danica once more.

Danicas eyes gleamed with provocation as she tugged her collar lower, exposing a trail of fresh kiss marks.

Sister, she said with a mocking smile, disdain flickering in her gaze, Ive just arrived in Sicily and dont know my way around yet. Would you mind taking me out for a walk?

"Find someone else. I have something to do," Serina intoned coldly.

After finishing her words, Serina turned to leavebut just as she reached the door, her phone rang. It was Valerio.

Serina, take Danica out for a while. Dont keep staying at home.

When she turned back, Danica was already holding up her own phone, grinning at her provocatively.

Serina ended the call in silence, then walked over. Where do you want to go?

Danica smirked. Thats better. Otherwise, Id have to call Val again.

The overly intimate way she addressed him made Serinas gaze darken.

Ever since coming to Sicily, Valerio had introduced himself to outsiders only as Salvatore. For three years, she had known his real name alone.

But now...

Her lips curved in a cold, mocking smile. Without another word, she got into the car with Danica.

...

Sunlight poured down warmly, streaming through the streets of Palermo.

At the dock, Danica suddenly spoke. "Sister, you go aheadI want to explore by myself."

The afternoon sun scorched the stone streets. Serina felt like she might melt from the heat. By the time she returned home, her skin was red from the sun.

Opening the door, she was met by Valerio's stormy expression.

"Serina, what did you do to Danica?"

Serina looked up, confused, and saw Danica cowering behind him.

She looked like someone had doused her with liquid. Her hair was wet and clinging to her face, clothes soaked and hanging loosely, looking utterly pitiful.

Danica sniffled, eyes wide with false grievance. "Sister got mad because I took her room, so she dragged me to the dock, poured wine on me, and even wanted to..."

She bit her lip, struggling to say it.

Valerio's brow furrowed. "Wanted to do what?"

"She... called a group of fishermen to try to assault me!" She gestured to her torn clothes and shot Serina a smug smile.

Watching Danica's tears fall, Valerio's hand at his side clenched suddenly, veins standing out along his forearm.

Serina knewhe was feeling pity for her.

Sure enough, the next moment, Valerio cast a deep, lingering glance at Danica before forcing himself to look away.

He wrapped his arm around Serina's shoulder, the pressure so intense it felt as if he were crushing her bones.

"Serina," his voice low and hoarse, "Danica saved my life. No matter how you feel about her, you can't treat her like this."

Serina's eyes froze with icy disdain. "You believe whatever she says?"

Unaware of her fury, Valerio continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Baby, you went too far this time. Next time, don't do this again."

She opened her mouth to retortbut a dull pain shot through her knees.

A bodyguard pressed her down forcefully, kicking her already injured leg with stiff leather shoes.

"Baby," Valerio said, holding her chin, "you've broken the rules. Normally, you'd lose a finger for thisbut I can't bring myself to do it. So I'll let you endure a few lashes instead."

It was only then that Serina realized the truth: this wasn't about belief or trust. Valerio couldn't stand seeing his little mistress feel wronged, so he used her as a scapegoat.

The whip sliced through the air with a shrill crack. Serina arched her back in pain, biting her lip to stifle a scream.

Her clothes shredded, revealing the twisted, angry wounds beneath.

Through gritted teeth, she watched the man in front of her comforting Danica with tender words.

Danica, in his embrace, tilted her chin up, eyes full of provocation.

In a haze, Serina recalled her first year in Sicilybefore she had agreed to Valerio's pursuit.

At a family gathering, one of his trusted men tried to approach her, sliding a hand to her waist. She had struck him in anger.

Valerio saw and simply smiled, helping her handle the situation despite the pressure from the family elders.

"My woman, whatever she does is right," he said.

The mafia admired violence. Back then, he praised her courage. Now, for Danica's side of the story alone, he publicly whipped her.

Time passed in a blur until Danica's voice rang out in a shrill cry:

"Oh! So much blood!" She pointed at Serina's battered back. "Val, stop punishing her! She didn't mean it!"

Valerio held her closer. "I knew Danica had a kind heart."

With a wave of his hand, the whipping finally stopped.

Watching them flirt and laugh, Serina felt darkness creeping into her vision.

Clenching her teeth, she struggled to her feet, limping out the door.

The man who had once promised never to let her suffer didn't spare her a single glance.

That night, she lay on her bed, awkwardly applying ointment to her back.

Valerio suddenly entered, snatching the ointment from her hands and tending to her wounds. His expression of concern seemed genuine this time.

The cooling ointment eased the pain, but seeing his hypocritical face, Serina felt only cold emptiness.

He brushed her tears away with his fingertips, soothing her. "I know you've been wronged. I planned to make you kneel and apologize to Danicabut we'll skip that this time."

"Apologize on my knees to her?" Serina's eyes were red, her voice incredulous. "Valerio, have you lost your mind?"

"That's the rule," he said, pressing her struggling body down. "I've been lenient enough. Don't make it difficult for me."

Serina didn't want to hear any more. Tears streamed down her face as she pointed toward the door, her voice hoarse. "Get out. I don't want to see you."

Sighing, Valerio spoke in resignation, "Serina, calm down. Don't leave the house these days."

He turned to leave. Four bodyguards took their place at the door, effectively placing her under house arrest.

In the middle of the night, a bag of freshly harvested shells was thrown in front of her.

"The boss said Miss Anderson was frightened and sleepless, so you must craft a pearl bracelet to make amends."

The salty, fishy smell hit her nose. Serina lowered her gaze and let out a bitter laugh.

These shells had been privately cultivated by Valerio for her, nurtured by the sea for three years to produce the roundest, most beautiful pearls.

And now, he expected her to hand them over to another woman as compensation.

Without gloves or tools, Serina pried open the shells with her bare hands.

The hard shells cut her fingers, leaving streaks of bloodbut she barely felt it, continuing her self-inflicted punishment.

Not every shell contained a pearl. She pried open ninety-nine shells before gathering enough to make a single bracelet.

By dawn, she dragged her exhausted body to hand the bracelet to the waiting bodyguard.

"Tell Salvatore and his little mistressdon't come bother me again."

After a long night of work, Serina was just about to rest when Valerio pushed the door open, whisking her off to the casino.

She sat at the table, her eyes cold and detached, watching the couple entwined nearby.

Seeing them flirt with each other once again, she felt nothingnot a flicker of anger, not a pang of jealousyjust icy emptiness.

The man nicknamed "Fox" swayed over with a glass in hand, his gaze roaming her body.

"Madam, did you make the boss angry?" he said with a wicked grin, suddenly lunging forward, pressing her down beneath him.

Laughter erupted around them, meaningless and mocking. Valerio frowned, ready to intervenebut Danica wrapped an arm around his neck.

"Val, don't worry about her. Let's continue," she purred, her voice sultry, and just like that, Valerio's attention shifted away.

A bone-chilling cold washed over Serina as she caught sight of Danica's proud smirk.

Emboldened by the boss's indulgence, Fox became even more brazen, shamelessly reaching for her chest.

The mafia revered family honor above all; no one had the right to violate the boss's wife or her dignity.

In the past, someone had dared to grope her thigh while drunk. The next day, Valerio had that man drown in cement.

And now, for a few words from Danica, Valerio allowed his subordinate to tear at her clothes?

The sound of the camera shutter stabbed at her heart like knives, each snap twisting her blood into ice.

No matter how she struggled or shouted, Valerio didn't spare her a glance.

One hand clutched the gun hidden at her waist, the other pressed firmly over her chest. Her eyes met Fox's, hard and ruthless.

If he dared another step, she wouldn't hesitate to take them both down.

Her heart pounded violently in her chest. Serina gritted her teeth, about to draw her gun and reveal her identity, when a sharp voice cut through the chaos:

"Fox!"

Startled, he immediately retreated.

Valerio, a dark mark of a kiss still on his neck, glared at her with shadowed eyes.

Serina's grip on her gun slowly relaxed, and she gasped for air, hastily adjusting her clothes.

She struggled to her feet, staring at the smug Danica beside her. Her voice trembled with cold fury, "Is that enough?"

Without waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Watching her resolute back, Valerio felt a pang deep in his chest, a sour, inexplicable ache.

He wanted to chase her, but a glance at Danica clinging to him made him stop.

"Val, is Sister angry with me?" Danica sniffled, nestling into his embrace.

Valerio's Adam's apple bobbed, unusually slow to respond. After a moment, he said hoarsely, "It's not your fault. She made a mistake and deserved punishment."

That very night, Fox was assassinated at the docks. His body remained there overnight and was only discovered the next day.

Valerio was completely unaware of this. He was busy dressing Serina in a stunning deep-red gown.

"Happy birthday, my love," he said.

Only then did she rememberit was her birthday. She followed him into the banquet hall in a daze.

Valerio had spared no expense: the walls were inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gilded reliefs, and every detail screamed opulence.

Officials and politicians cast envious glances at her.

"The Mafia Lord Salvatore is truly devoted to his wife," someone murmured.

But to Serina, the words rang hollow, dripping with bitter irony.

Halfway through the banquet, a sudden gunshot shattered the lavish atmosphere.

The banquet hall erupted into chaos. Serina stumbled through the confusion, forcing her way toward the exit. Through her blurred vision, she caught sight of Valerio rushing out. Her heart leapt, clinging to him like a final lifeline.

But his path wasnt toward herit veered in the opposite direction.

Following his gaze, she wasnt surprised to see Danica, shielded on all sides by bodyguards.

In the midst of danger, no one protected hereven though she was the one who bore the title of Valerios wife.

Her heart plummeted again.

"Bang!"

Another gunshot rang out, striking the chandelier above.

The massive crystal fixture crashed down, hitting her back with a crushing force, pinning her to the floor.

Bloodied and battered, she lifted her eyes to see Valerio in the distance, cradling the terrified Danica, not sparing her a single glance.

When Serina woke up, Valerio was still by her side, never leaving her for a single step.

Ignoring the concern etched on his face, she turned toward the window. The Sicilian sun was as blinding as ever, so bright it made her eyes sting with tears.

"Serina," Valerio said, lifting her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to it, "rest easy. I've dealt with all of them. From now on, I'll never let you fall into danger again."

Serina withdrew her hand, refusing to look at his deceitful face.

"Darling," he continued cautiously, "Danica was injured and needs a blood transfusion... you share a compatible blood type. Could you"

Serina's eyes snapped open, blood-red and blazing. "You want me to give her blood?"

She spat out three words, icy and sharp, "In your dreams."

Valerio showed no anger at her rejection. As he rose to his feet, the movement revealed the gun tucked in his suit pocket, its dark muzzle pointed squarely at her.

A chill swept through Serina, unwilling to believe that the man who once vowed to love her for a lifetime would aim a gun at her.

Are you... threatening me? she asked, her voice trembling.

He smiled, voice soft, almost coaxing. "Of course not, darling. I just want you to help Danica. It's only a little bloodyou won't die."

Her fingertips pricked into her palm, drawing tiny threads of blood.

Her body shook, her heart aching until it felt numb. "Lead the way," she said, her voice cracked.

"That's my good girl," Valerio said, stroking her hair as if soothing a child. "Once you recover, I'll take you to the yacht and we'll have your birthday celebration again."

Serina ignored him. Mechanically, she extended her arm, watching the doctor draw two bags of blood.

When it was done, her lips had lost all color. Pale and drained, she collapsed back onto the bed.

Outside, nurses whispered among themselves.

"What's the background of the woman the mafia lord brought in? A minor scratch and he goes to such lengths... and even lets his own wife donate blood for her?"

"Yeah, they say the mafia lord loves his wife dearly, but I'm not so sure."

Serina closed her eyes, expression blank as the words washed over her.

The next moment, she received a video from Danica.

The usually cold, dangerous man was leaning over, peeling an apple for her. The sunlight glinted off him like a halomaking him look incredibly gentle.

Scoffing, she ignored it, dialing a secure, unmonitored line instead.

"How's the identity cancellation coming along? Speed it up."

A voice replied promptly: "Boss, it'll be completed by tomorrow."

She hung up and exhaled slowly, a weight finally lifting from her chest. She could escape soon.

The next day, Valerio kept his promise and brought her aboard the yacht.

The luxurious vessel sailed through the Mediterranean, salt-kissed wind tangling in her hair.

To her dismay, Danica was also on the yacht.

Seeing her, Danica smiled again, but no matter how much she tried to hide it, her eyes sparkled with provocation.

"I didn't expect you to still stick by him," Danica said, smug as ever. "But fine. Since you're staying, I've got another shield to take the hit for me."

As if she didn't exist, Serina stared blankly ahead and didn't respond.

Seeing she didn't seem affected, Danica's annoyance flared. "What are you pretending for? You must be insanely jealous. You survived life-and-death situations with him for three years, and I took your place as soon as I came!"

Hearing her words, Serina gripped the railing tighter, her fists turned white with tension.

"Two years ago, he came to America for a deal. The venue suddenly caught fire, and he was trapped under a beam," Danica laughed, tilting her head, "I just happened to pass by, called him out of the ashes, and he actually believed I saved him. Ever since, he's been hopelessly in love with me."

Two years ago?

Serina's heart leapt.

Two years ago, Valerio had returned to America, and she hadn't heard from him for a long time.

Worried, she flew back immediately, only to learn about the fire at the transaction site. She rushed there, plunging into the flames to save him, and collapsed from exhaustion.

When she woke up again, she was back in Sicily.

She had thought the matter was behind herbut now, Danica took the credit for her, becoming the so-called savior in Valerio's eyes.

Serina shivered, her hand gripping the railing trembling slightly.

Hidden in the shadows where Danica couldn't see, the small recorder in Serina's jacket pocket blinked red, capturing every word she had just spoken.

Danica, expecting some reaction, opened her mouth to speak againbut then noticed Valerio slowly making his way onto the deck.

Instantly, she composed herself, putting on an innocent, carefree facade.

"Oh, Sister is here too! I wanted to see the whales, so Val specially bought this yacht to bring me," she said, her eyes gleaming with both pride and calculation. "Sister, you're so capablecould you help me find the whales?"

Serina ignored her and continued sending messages.

"Since Danica asked me to find a whale for her, my fake death plan will follow suit."

As soon as the message was sent, the phone clattered to the ground.Danica pouted, feigning disappointment. "Val, Sister won't help me find the whales!"

Valerio furrowed his brows, looking at Serina. "Serina, you know how to dive anyway. Why don't you help her?"

Serina scoffed. "You want me to dive into the sea to look for whales for her? It's fine if she's uneducated, but youare you equally clueless?"

Her sharp retort made Valerio's expression falter slightly.

His gaze darkened, and from the shadows, bodyguards moved in, surrounding Serina with a clear message: if she refused, they would throw her into the water themselves.

Serina let out a bitter laugh. Looking at Danica's smug expression, she decided to turn the situation to her advantage.

After changing into her diving suit, Serina left the recorder in Valerio's room and made her way to the deck.

Danica waited by the railing, eager to see her humiliated.

As Serina approached, Danica pretended to slip, falling straight toward her!

Serina instinctively dodged. In the next instant, "splash!" Danica's body plunged halfway into the water.

"Help! I can't swim!" Danica screamed.

Valerio immediately rushed over, grabbing her wrist. "Dani, don't be afraid! I'll pull you up."

Seeing her plan succeed, Danica's eyes glimmered with glee.

Once back on the deck, she threw herself into Valerio's arms, trembling and tearful.

"Sister, why did you push me?" she sobbed. "I just wanted to see the whales. I know you hate me, but how could you throw me into the sea?"

Valerio's comforting hands froze mid-motion. From his distance, he hadn't seen clearlybut now he realized Danica fell only after Serina approached.

"Serina," his gaze darkened, laced with anger and confusion, "I always thought you were a kind girl. Why do you keep targeting Dani?"

"I've given you the highest honor. I've assured you again and again that I would have only you as my wife. Why do you keep doingythis?"

Serina clenched her hand at her side, the familiar frustration and injustice tightening in her chest. Once again, she was being condemned solely based on Danica's words.

"Take the madam into the water to find the whales!" Valerio commanded, scooping Danica into his arms and preparing to leave.

Bodyguards closed in around Serina. Her gaze swept past them and landed on Danicasmug, unscathed, eyes gleaming with provocation.

The yacht had already sailed into the heart of the Mediterranean. Serina glanced back and saw a speedboat waiting to pick her up in the distance.

She no longer hesitated and leaped into the sea.

The location pin, tightly clenched in her palm, sent a signal.

She knew she had succeeded.

Soon, she would be able to completely escape this place of darkness, calculation, and betrayal.