Chapter 1

My husband, Dominic, sneered in Italian, calling my inheritance "crumbs," not even enough to buy his mistress a handbag.

Then he turned to me, his voice soft with English endearments. "Honey, why not go abroad to clear your mind? I'll buy your ticket."

I smiled and accepted the one-way ticket.

Dominic had no idea I understood Italian.

He knew even less that the inheritance he scorned was a vast business empire, large enough to buy out ten of his companies.

Elara's POV

Dominic was on a video call. Seeing me enter, he casually pulled me into his embrace.

The man on the screen chuckled, his Italian fluent and relaxed. "Dominic, you're not worried your wife will overhear us discussing your little secretary while she's right there in your arms?"

Dominic carelessly kissed my earlobe, replying in Italian, "Why would I be? She doesn't understand a word. The farthest she's ever traveled is an all-inclusive resort. She can't read Italian. She can barely make sense of a French menu."

I leaned against his chest, compliant, my fingertips trembling slightly.

Dominic didn't know that I had spent three years learning Italian, just so I could understand those hushed phone calls he tried to hide from me.

The man on the screen laughed even more brazenly. "So what about your little drama queen, threatening a hunger strike? Next week is your fifth anniversary with her, and she insists on having your spot."

Dominic's fingers gently massaged my waist, his tone laced with cold indifference. "I'm trying to appease her. In fact, I'm planning to send the woman in my arms away. Her uncle left her some inheritance, perfect for her to spend half a month abroad. Get her out of the way, make room for the new one."

"Is it worth it? All this trouble for a bit of inheritance?"

"Even crumbs are still something." Dominic scoffed. "I don't even care for that money; let's just consider it her pocket change."

Then, he ended the video call.

When he looked down at me, he had seamlessly switched back to gentle English, his eyes full of affection. "Honey, I was just discussing business with a partner. Don't be too sad about your uncle's passing. Since it was his wish, you should go ahead and handle it."

I looked up, flashing a sweet, innocent smile. "Okay, thank you, darling."

Dominic patted my head, satisfied, and quickly typed something on his phone. "I've transferred a million dollars to you. Have my secretary book your flight. Buy whatever you like over there, don't hold back."

I smiled, accepting the transfer notification on my screen.

It wasn't until he turned and went into the bathroom that I opened the unread lawyer's email on my phone.

At the top of the attachment was a property deed for a Tuscan vineyard, along with a trust fund balance with so many zeros it made my head spin.

I turned off the screen and calmly sent a reply to the lawyer. "Proceed as planned. See you in half a month."