Chapter 1 - THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH|
For ten years, Victoria Moretti had believed that love could survive anything.
She had loved Alexander Moretti before Chicago learned to fear his name, before his black cars began appearing outside expensive restaurants, and before powerful men lowered their voices whenever he entered a room.
She had loved him when he was simply a stubborn young man with bruised knuckles and a dream of building an empire.
Five years into their marriage, she finally understood what that love had cost her.
Alexander had a mistress.
Her name was Sophia Bennett, a twenty-seven-year-old woman with golden hair, expensive taste, and an extraordinary talent for making herself appear helpless whenever Alexander was watching.
For three years, he had maintained a secret apartment for her, purchased a luxury car, paid for vacations, and showered her with jewelry that Victoria recognized from their household accounts.
Sophia had once sent Alexander home wearing a perfume so sweet it lingered in their bedroom until morning.
Another time, Victoria discovered a tiny pink keychain attached to his Rolls-Royce keys.
Alexander had never liked decorations.
Sophia wanted Victoria to notice.
Victoria did notice.
She simply refused to give her the satisfaction of a confrontation.
Everything changed when a photograph from a Chicago charity gala appeared online.
In the photograph, Alexander stood beside Victoria in a perfectly tailored black suit. His hand rested against her waist while she adjusted his tie. He was looking at her with an expression so tender that strangers flooded the comments with praise.
Five years married, and he still looks at her like she owns his heart.
Sophia saw the photograph, too.
The following evening, Alexander came home unusually quiet.
Victoria sat before the bedroom mirror, removing her earrings, when he approached her from behind.
He began brushing her hair, something he had done since their honeymoon.
“Victoria, there’s something I need to tell you.”
She watched his reflection.
“Then tell me.”
“There’s another woman.”
The brush stopped moving.
Alexander continued before she could speak.
“She’s younger than you. She needs me. She doesn't make everything complicated.”
Victoria studied the man she had loved for a decade.
“Does she know you're married?”
“Yes.”
“And she's comfortable with that?”
He hesitated.
“She understands our situation.”
Victoria almost laughed.
“Our situation?”
Alexander put down the brush.
“I won't abandon her.”
“Then bring her home.”
His expression hardened.
“What?”
“I'd like to meet the woman who needs my husband so desperately.”
He grabbed her hair and pulled her head backward.
“No. I won't let you hurt Sophia.”
Pain flashed across Victoria's scalp.
For several seconds, she stared at him in disbelief.
Then she slapped him.
The sound cracked through the bedroom.
“You pulled my hair. I slapped you. We're even.”
She stood, removed her wedding ring, and placed it on the dresser.
“But our marriage isn't.”
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
“I told you the truth. I never said I wanted a divorce.”
“I do.”
He laughed, confident that she would eventually surrender.
Then his phone rang.
Sophia was crying. Her stomach hurt, she said, and she was frightened.
Alexander immediately grabbed his jacket.
Victoria looked at him.
“She's pregnant, isn't she?”
He stopped at the doorway.
That silence was enough.
Victoria threw her wedding ring at his chest.
“Get out.”
He caught the ring but left without another word.
At one in the morning, Victoria called her oldest friend, attorney Nathan Hayes.
When he arrived, she told him everything.
Nathan listened without interrupting. Then he asked one question.
“Victoria, do you want to punish your husband, or do you want to make sure he can never control your life again?”
She looked toward the empty doorway.
“I want my life back.”
Nathan nodded and opened his briefcase.
“Then we need to investigate everything he owns.”
Six days later, he returned with a thick folder.
His face was pale.
Victoria opened it, saw the first page, and felt the room tilt.
Her husband's affair was the least disturbing thing in the documents.
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Because Alexander Moretti had been stealing from his own empire.
And somehow, her name was on every transfer.
