"Thank you, Leo," Elena's voice chirped, light and gentle.

I took one more step inside, and then I could see them all. Four figures. Elena was helping Alex off with his coat.

"It's my birthday," she said softly. "Let Leo stay the night."

"She thinks you're in meetings anyway. It's rare you get time to spend with the kids."

Alex's face was a mask of indifference. His voice was cold. "Elena, you're crossing a line."

Leo pouted, tugging on Alex's arm. "Daddy, Daddy."

"It's Auntie Elena's birthday. Didn't you say we would grant her any birthday wish?"

The little girl chimed in, her big eyes blinking. "Stella wants Daddy to stay too."

Alex's expression darkened instantly. "Stella, you forgot again. You call me Uncle Alex, not Daddy."

The little girl's face crumpled, and tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Elena bit her lip. "She can't call you that outside, but she can't call you that in our own home either?"

"No," Alex said coldly.

I don't know how I managed to leave. I drove out of the community and pulled over on the side of the road.

I gripped the steering wheel, my body wracked with sobs. I was in shock, heartbroken, and furious.

We had been married for seven years. Leo was six. That little girl was four. Which meant Alex had started sleeping with Elena when our son was just one year old.

And now, he had brought my son into his new family.

I returned to the estate and packed a suitcase. It wasn't much. Maria, our housekeeper, assumed I was going to my family's home and even helped me pack.

A call came in from Julian, the consigliere. "The alliance termination agreement has been sent to your email."

I went to the study, printed the agreement, and signed my name: Cassandra Romano.

That night, they didn't come home. Alex called, and I answered, my face a blank mask.

His voice was as gentle as ever. "My love, I got back this afternoon and picked Leo up from school on the way."

"Mhm," I said. "So why aren't you home yet?"

He sounded apologetic. "My parents wanted to see their grandson, so I dropped Leo off with them. He wanted to spend the night, so we'll be back tomorrow."

"How long?" I asked.

He chuckled. "We'll be back after lunch with them tomorrow."

I closed my eyes slowly. "Okay," I said.

The next day at noon, I went back to the villa, bringing Julian and two of the family's "soldiers" with me to document everything. I had the printed agreement in my hand.

The door was still unlocked. As I walked in, I heard Leo's innocent voice. "I don't want my mean mommy anymore. I wish Auntie Elena could be my new mommy."

"I wish that me, Daddy, Auntie Elena, and my little sister Stella could live together forever."

What a happy, perfect little family.

The pain in my heart had dulled to a cold numbness. I strode into the dining room where the four of them were eating.

Leo saw me first. "Mommy," he said, his voice laced with annoyance.

His eyes were red as he glared at me. "How did you find Auntie Elena's house? No wonder Daddy doesn't like you. No one would ever like a woman like you, who gives people no space."

I looked at Alex. His face was pale, his expression one of pure terror. He was frozen in his chair.

"Sorry to interrupt your happy family meal."

"Mr. Moretti, sign it."

I threw the papers in his face. The soldiers behind me had been recording since the moment we stepped through the door.