One The Queen’s Mask
Catalina’s POV
My fingers shook as I took a slow sip of wine, my eyes never leaving Javier Alarcon, my husband. He stood among the city’s power players, looking every bit the part in his tailored suit and sharp tie, his smile effortlessly charming. But it wasn’t his smile that caught my attention–it was the way he looked at Sophia Graziano, the knowing glint in their eyes.
I should’ve known better. I ignored the gut feeling, the one that whispered betrayal, and convinced myself that my husband’s loyalty was unshakable. As the don of the Alarcon Family, there was a code–lealtà loyalty—his word was his bond. But now, it felt like everything I’d ever known was a lie.
I clenched my jaw, fighting the tears that threatened to spill.
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Everyone in this room knew I was his wife. Yet, Javier didn’t even bother to hide his relationship with Sophia. He didn’t care if I saw his eyes were glued to her, leaving me invisible. I shut my eyes, remembering that morning when I saw them leaving the ob–gyn’s office–Sophia, two months pregnant with his child.
My heart shattered, but I didn’t flinch. Ast his queen, I had learned to mask the pain, to remain the perfect, emotionless wife- graceful, silent, and utterly disposable.
“Miss,” Kiton Hanler‘ s voice cut through. my thoughts as he handed me a file. He noticed the tremor in my hand, and the pity in his eyes made my blood boil.
“Thank you, Kit,” I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a weapon than a gesture. Kiton nodded and left, his loyalty unwavering. He owed me everything–his life, his mother’s life, all because of a debt
I’d saved them from.
As he passed, he squeezed my hand. I
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Graziano. I heard you’re pregnant,” I said, watching their faces pale.
“Congratulations.”
The elites looked at Sophia in shock. Javier gripped my waist, whispering dangerously, “What the hell are you talking about, Amore Mio?”
“Oh, am I wrong? Because you love drinking wine, Sophia, and lately you haven’t been drinking,” I said, grabbing her wrist. “I am a doctor, in case anyone forgot, and I can tell, you have two pulses.”
Gasps erupted around us. Javier quickly addressed the crowd, “My wife is drunk. Please, enjoy the party.”
He dragged me away gripping my arm and warned. “I don’t appreciate you accusing Miss Graziano. Think about what you ve done and apologize to Miss Graziano
tomorrow.” And he ordered his men to take
me home.
I looked at Javier. “Secrets can’t be kept
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forever, Javier but I am no fool.” Before entering the car, I made sure he knew.
He didn’t even glanced at me as he called someone on his phone as he walked back to the hotel.
****
The file contained evidence of my husband’s affair–pictures of him and Sophia. I spread them out on our mattress.
“Javier, you have no idea who you‘ re dealing with. You did not know how bad and crazy I am, you damn asshole!” I yelled, laughing bitterly through my tears. “You’ll pay for making me a fool, you and Sophia,” I swore, my knees trembling as I sat on the cold floor, crying in pain.
“You’ll regret hurting me, and you‘ 11 beg, but I won’t pity you. Without me, you‘ re nothing,” I seethed with anger, laughing crazily.
I picked up the phone and called my lawyer. “I need you to prepare the divorce
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papers, and I want them as soon as
possible.”
