Alex smiled, as if this was the most natural thing in the world. "Of course. Leo and I fully support you."

"My Casey was always meant to soar. It was me and our son who were holding you back."

The next day, a new nanny arrived to take care of Leo's daily needs. My closet was suddenly filled with custom-made professional suits.

He gave me the title of Vice President at the Moretti Group. Within a couple of days, I had settled in. The employees all envied me for having such a devoted and thoughtful husband.

Some of the younger women even said they wanted to find a husband just like Don Moretti. I just smiled and said nothing.

That afternoon, I had to drive home to get a file I had forgotten for a meeting. The north gate, the closest one to our estate, was blocked by construction, so I had to take a longer route through the south gate.

And that's when I saw them. Elena and her daughter. In our community.

My mind raced. A cold dread washed over me.

My hands trembled on the steering wheel. Was she here to see Alex? Or...

Had she been living here all along?

I don't know what possessed me, but I followed them. I watched as they entered a detached villa.

I couldn't believe it. An "assistant" living in the same heavily guarded, exclusive community as me. The answer was obvious, and it left me curled up in my car, tears streaming down my face.

I sat there for a while, pulling myself together, ready to leave. But then, I saw a familiar armored sedan pull into the villa's driveway.

It was Alex's car.

My blood turned to ice. My hands and feet felt numb.

The car door opened. Alex got out first, then retrieved a birthday cake from the back seat. To my horror, Leo hopped out after him, his face lit up with a genuine, joyful smile.

A sharp pain pierced my heart.

My eyes were glued to Leo. For a moment, I felt a ridiculous sense of being abandoned by the entire world.

My husband and my son were secretly celebrating another woman's daughter's birthday.

The pain in my chest was so intense I could barely breathe. With a trembling hand, I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. He answered on the first ring.

"Casey, what's wrong?" His voice was as warm as ever.

Through the windshield, I saw Alex put a finger to his lips, shushing Leo.

Leo's expression soured. I knew he was annoyed with me.

I struggled to keep my voice even. "When will you be home?"

Alex chuckled. "What, you miss me? I miss you too, my love."

"I'm in a very important meeting with the heads of the Five Families right now. I might not be back until tomorrow. It's a critical time, my love, so I have to go."

"Okay," I said, and hung up.

I watched as Alex put his phone away, took Leo's hand, and disappeared inside the villa.

I finally calmed myself down and looked at the house. I just sat in the car. Eventually, I got out and walked to the front door. It was slightly ajar.

As if it had been left open for me. I stood there, frozen, the entryway blocking my view of the inside. But I could hear them.

"Happy birthday, Auntie Elena!" Leo's voice was sweet, but it turned my heart bitter.