Six years ago, my wife, Suzanne Adkins and I went on a trip overseas to Italy.
It was supposed to be a romantic getaway, something to refresh our relationship. But things went horribly wrong. We were kidnapped by a group of mafias who wanted ransom.
Those mafias told us that only one of us could be released if our family paid the ransom. Our money could only save one person. Without hesitation, I told them to let Suzanne go. I stayed behind so she could return home safely.
After that, I thought she would come back for me. I thought she would find a way to bring me home. To my shock, she never did.
Instead, someone else saved me.
It was a powerful woman named Talia Barbaro who owned Hera Group, which was a large Italian company. She was the one who paid the ransom and rescued me. In return, I had to work for her.
Nevertheless, I worked diligently. I became her assistant, then her right-hand man. For six long years, I helped her with her business, traveled with her and took care of everything she needed. She was strict, but she was fair. She gave me food, shelter and even respect.
Finally, after six years, I finished my work. Everything Talia needed was settled. She let me go and wished me luck as I returned to the United States.
But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I came back.
Suzanne had become a successful businesswoman. She was a rich and powerful businesswoman who was also known for her beauty. However, I was heartbroken to find out that she had two children and a man by her side who looked like the perfect husband.
But that man wasn’t me.
The truth was, Suzanne had moved on. She had built a new life while I was still overseas, struggling to survive. It really broke me.
In anger and disbelief, I asked her, “Suzanne, why didn’t you wait for me? Why didn’t you try to save me? You had the money. You could’ve brought me back!”
She stared at me coldly and said, “Alexander, why should I save you?”
Her words hit me like a slap in the face.
“Six years have already passed,” she continued.
She then coldly said, “You were probably already dead. And even if you weren’t, why would I save someone like you? You’re useless to me.”
I laughed, but there was no joy in it. Actually, it was the kind of laugh that hid pain. Besides, we were married at one point.
However, the realization quickly came over me.
So, this was how she saw me? A useless man who wasn’t even worth saving? I gave up everything for her, but this is what I got in return.
At that moment, I felt nothing but hate for Suzanne. Yet, she then said something that made me even angrier. It was madness.
——
“Alexander, we’re still legally married,” she said.
“And my company is about to go public. If people find out I got divorced now, it will affect everything. I could lose a lot of money.”
Suzanne didn’t care about me. Instead, she only cared about her business, her image and her money. What a disgusting woman!
How could I ever fall in love with someone like her?
I looked at her and said calmly, “Suzanne, let’s get divorced.”
When Suzzane heard my intention, she said nothing. Instead, she turned around and signaled to some people nearby. Before I could react, several men grabbed me and dragged me away. They locked me in a room.
“Stay here and calm down,” Suzanne said coldly.
“As long as you behave, you’re still my husband. My children will take care of you in the future. But if you don’t listen, I can always send you overseas again.”
Then, she left without another word.
I was trapped. Two bodyguards stood outside the door. I couldn’t leave. I had nothing.
Fortunately, Suzanne made one mistake. That mistake was the fact that she didn’t take my phone. She might think that someone like me wouldn’t have a working phone. Or, rather, she didn’t care enough to check.
What she didn’t know was that I didn’t come back alone.
I picked up my phone and called Talia.
“Talia, I need your help,” I said quietly.
My voice was shaking as I said it. I didn’t realize I was crying until I felt the tears on my face. After all, I would never expect this to happen.
“I told you,” Talia replied, her voice strong but kind.
“A woman who would leave you behind like that would never stay with you forever.”
“I’ll be there in three days. Stay in the Wilkins family’s mansion. Don’t worry, I’ll come get you, Alexander.”
Her words calmed me.
What Suzanne didn’t know was that the day she left me in Italy, it was Talia who showed up. She didn’t let me become an organ donor like the kidnappers planned. Instead, she saved me and gave me a new life. Not only that, she trained me well.
In fact, over the years, Talia gave me a lot of money. She said it was her way of thanking me for my loyalty. Now, I had more money than even Suzanne. It was that I just didn’t show it.
Sadly, I no longer worked for Talia. Our business was done, so I came back hoping to find peace. But now I knew I would not find peace here. Not while Suzanne still controlled everything.
Now, I had to make sure that Suzanne would have to pay for what she did.
