She cleared her throat, looking around the room with a pleased expression. "Before we conclude, I have an important announcement. As many of you know, the Ricci family has always valued strong alliances. And today, I am pleased to officially announce that my son, Lorenzo, will be marrying Seraphina Marone in one week."
My body turned to ice. Hooray and Congratulations spread through the room, and Seraphina gave a demure smile, casting me the briefest glance—one filled with triumph.
This was the final betrayal. I had suffered for this man. I had carried his children. And now, he was replacing me in front of the entire world.
Instead of making a scene, I decided to smile, and exited the hall after informing Lorenzo that I was leaving.
The moment I returned to our penthouse, I grabbed my phone and dialed the only man who could help me now.
Santino De Luca.
He answered immediately as if he had been waiting. "I was wondering when you'd call again."
"Please help me track Lorenzo. His location, his meetings, his movements. Everything. I want to track his every move."
"I'll have the information in an hour."
The call then ended. I sat back, my heart pounding. In one hour, I would have proof. Proof of Lorenzo's lies. Proof of everything he ever did to me.
~ An Hour Later
My phone buzzed with a text from Santino.
-Ricci Tower—7th Floor. Private Suite.
-Attachment: A photo of Lorenzo entering a penthouse suite with Seraphina.
My fingers hovered over the dial pad. I pressed the call button to let him know I received his information.
He answered, but before I opened my mouth to speak, I froze.
A dark figure stood in the doorway of my bedroom, a gun held loosely at his side.
Enzo Moretti.
Lorenzo's most trusted man. His right-hand man. The look in his eyes told me exactly what was about to happen.
"You really think you could outplay the mafia, Mrs. Ricci?"
~Valeria’s POV
The world spun violently as I got dragged through the back alley of the city, my heels scraping against the pavement.
The grip on my arms was unrelenting. Enzo had yanked me from the penthouse like I was nothing more than a piece of trash. His fingers dug into my skin, his hold bruising, but I didn't fight.