My best friend always supported my decisions. "So, it's true," she sighed. "There's no such thing as perfect loyalty. Even Alex Moretti, the most devoted husband in our world, strayed."

I knew what most people would think. Seven years is a long time.

Alex had admitted his mistake and gotten rid of his mistress. I was supposed to forgive his momentary lapse and go back to being the perfect couple.

But I just couldn't.

As my mind drifted, a deafening "BOOM" ripped through the air. The world spun, and my ears rang.

Thick smoke flooded my lungs. "Car bomb! Everybody out!" the café manager yelled, covering his mouth.

Sophia grabbed my wrist and pulled me outside. A crowd was already gathering in the open square.

I turned to see the burning wreckage of a luxury car not far away. The fire was spreading to the café, but thankfully, the manager had evacuated everyone in time.

Soon, our family's armed men arrived, cordoning off the area.

I was never one for gawking. I was about to pull Sophia away when I heard a familiar voice.

"Let me through! My wife is in there! Casey's still in there!"

It was Alex, his voice raw with terror.

His men held him back behind the police tape. "Sir, please, calm down. We'll do everything we can to get her out."

But Alex was beyond reason. He shoved a bodyguard aside and sprinted toward the still-smoldering café.

The crowd gasped, drowning out the sound of my own voice calling his name. He didn't hear me.

My heart seized. I tried to run after him, but another bodyguard stopped me. I grabbed his arm, my voice trembling. "I'm his wife. Please, you have to save him..."

A few minutes later, they brought Alex out. His face was covered in soot. When he saw me, tears streamed down his face, and he crushed me in a desperate hug.

"My love, thank God, you're safe. You're safe..."

"Casey, I love you. If anything had happened to you today, I would have followed you."

Then, he collapsed.

At the family's private clinic, the doctor said it was just smoke inhalation. He was already out of danger.

I sat quietly, watching Alex's sleeping face. A part of me was moved. Sophia saw the conflict in my eyes. "Casey, he's absolutely crazy about you. That was a warning from a rival family. He ran in there fully prepared to die with you."

I closed my eyes, saying nothing.

Sophia sighed. "I know he had an emotional affair, but he was willing to give his life for you. Maybe you should give him another chance."

I understood what she was saying. I should focus on the big picture. But I couldn't get past the betrayal.

"You're just as capable as Alex," she continued. "You've just been focused on your family all these years. Maybe you could use this as a chance to get back into the family business. It would be a good distraction."

"I'll think about it. Thank you, Sophia."

Alex came home as soon as he woke up.

That night, he held me from behind, his voice a soft, intimate whisper. "My love, do you have any idea how scared I was?"

"Casey, you can never leave me. Never. I love you."

He poured out his heart, but all I felt was a crushing pain that made it hard to breathe.

I turned to face him. "Alex, I want to go back to work."