At Our Sweetest, We Fall Apart

At the celebration where Lorenzo Alvarez is crowned the new mafia boss, his men arrange a few performances.

A dancer in a backless top and short skirt twists around the pole under the lights.

"Don't look," he murmurs, covering my eyes with his hand. "This kind of cheap entertainment isn't worthy of you."

His men jump in immediately.

"Lorenzo still spoils Ms. Valenti after all these years. That kind of devotion is rare. We're so jealous."

"A man as loyal and single-minded as Lorenzo is hard to find."

I rest a hand on my belly, planning to tell him tonight that I am pregnant.

But when I return from the restroom, I see the same man who had just held me in his arms leaning back in his chair while the dancer straddles his lap.

Lorenzo slips his business card and a thick fold of cash into the waistband of her skirt.

He laughs, relaxed and unbothered. "Isabella is wonderful, sure, but life needs a little passion. This ragazza is just something new. A bit of fun.

"Keep your mouths shut. Don't go running to Isabella and upset her. Otherwise, you'll have a problem."

Cold rushes through me. I do not approach or confront Lorenzo. I simply take out my phone and answer the email I have been avoiding for days.

"I agree to participate in the confidential experiment."

"Ms. Valenti, congratulations. You have passed the screening for the confidential experiment. If you join the program, you'll need to travel to Silvercrest, and your domestic identity will be erased. Are you willing to participate?"

I had planned to refuse. Lorenzo had always loved me as if I were his entire world, and at that moment, I was carrying his child. I had thought we would finally have a peaceful, happy family.

But it seemed that was no longer true.

Once the dancer finished her routine, Lorenzo's men called for her to stay and have fun with them.

Lorenzo had stepped forward with a scowl dark enough to silence the room.

"What are you doing here?" His voice had been low, cold, unmistakably Don-like. "How many times have I told you not to show up in front of my wife?"

The woman's eyes had reddened as she threw herself into his chest. "I couldn't reach you. I felt so uneasy. Lorenzo, I'm pregnant."

"What?" Lorenzo had lit up with genuine delight. "That is incredible. I finally have a child of my own."

His men had erupted immediately.

"Auguri, Lorenzo. Congratulations, Donna."

Hearing that, Lorenzo's expression hardened. "Watch your mouth. There is only one Donna, and that's Isabella. Capisce?"

He had shaken his head, almost amused. "Isabella is wonderful, certo, but after so many years together, everything's become a little too calm.

"As for this ragazza, she's just something fresh. Only for fun. Keep your mouths shut, and do not upset Isabella.

"If you do, you'll have to answer me. Because Isabella matters more than my life."

In that instant, everything inside me had gone cold.

A message had arrived. "Ms. Valenti, the experiment lasts for five years. Your current identity will be erased, and you'll receive an entirely new one. No one will find you, not even your family. Are you certain?"

I went quiet for a few seconds, then answered with steady resolve. "I'm certain."

"Understood. We'll book your flight for next week. The moment you depart, we'll erase your identity."

I recomposed myself, returned to the private room, and found Lorenzo pretending nothing had happened. The dancer was still on stage, swaying under the lights.

When he saw me, he stepped forward with concern. "Where were you for so long? Are you not feeling well?"

The mix of liquor on his breath and another woman's perfume had made my stomach twist.

He patted my back and rushed to explain, "The guys cheered since she danced well. They insisted we have a few drinks with her, and I did try to stop them.

"I only had a few drinks, but I did not get close to her. Right? Tell her."

His men had answered instantly, trained like Soldati.

"Of course, Donna. Lorenzo stayed far away. He was afraid you would be upset. You must not misunderstand him."

Their polished performance felt pathetic. I realized I had been kept in the dark for far too long.

"Only drinking? Nothing else? Why does she look so disheveled?" My voice had been quiet.

Lorenzo's expression shifted, and he snapped at the dancer. "Get out now! Do not stand here and offend my wife."

She had shot us one unwilling glance before leaving.

Lorenzo had turned back immediately, trying to please me.

"Someone like her is not worth a second of your attention. Don't be angry, dolcezza. No one can compare to you."

I stayed silent and gave no reply.

On the way home, my phone buzzed. The ticket confirmation had arrived.

Lorenzo had glanced over sharply. "What is that? Who messaged you?"

I deleted it at once. "Nothing. It's spam."

As if trying to cover his guilt, he kept explaining. "You can relax. You're the only woman in my life. I wouldn't spare another one a glance."

His deep devotion had only made my stomach tighten further.

A moment earlier, he had been celebrating another woman carrying his child. Now he was the picture of a perfect husband.

I took a deep breath and stared at him. "Is that so?"

"Of course. I'll only ever love you."

I looked at him directly. "Do you remember what I asked you the day we married? I asked what you'd do if you ever cheated."

Lorenzo had hit the brakes hard. He looked at me in a panic and quickly reassured me.

"My love, I'd never do anything to betray you. I swear on the honor of the Alvarez famiglia that I'll never be unfaithful.

"If I ever betray you, may an enemy crew gun me down in the middle of a firefight as punishment for breaking your heart."

He studied my expression, uncertain whether I knew something.

I turned away and looked out the window at the passing crowds.

"Don't be nervous. I only wanted to see if you remember your promise. Lorenzo, I want to see the northern lights in Frostholm Isles."

We first met in Frostholm Isles, so I wanted to end everything there as well. To finish where it began. To close the circle with one final trip.

Lorenzo let out a long breath of relief, fully convinced that jealousy was the only reason I had asked him that question. He smiled, thinking he still understood me.

"Alright, my love. Whatever you want."