You Chose Her, Now Watch Me Leave

For five years, I was married to the most feared Mafia Don in New York.

But my husband's heart only had room for one woman: my fragile, manipulative half-sister, Siena.

He constantly used his absolute authority to protect her, even forgetting my deadly genetic allergy just to cater to her meals.

The ultimate betrayal came during a hostage exchange with a rogue faction at the freezing East Docks.

The kidnapper pressed a gun to Siena's head and demanded a one-for-one trade. The Mafia Queen for the sweet civilian.

My husband and my son didn't hesitate for a single second.

"Walk forward, Tessa," Cassio commanded, his voice devoid of any hesitation.

"Go save my aunt!" my young son screamed from the car.

I was shoved toward the ruthless mobsters and dragged onto their idling smuggling boat.

When I looked back, Cassio was hurriedly wrapping his warm coat around Siena's shivering shoulders. He didn't look at me. Not even once.

In that freezing rain, I finally realized my absolute worthlessness. I was never a wife or a mother; I was just a disposable bargaining chip.

Memories of a past life suddenly flooded my mind—a life where I withered away in a cage, dying alone while Cassio stood over my hospital bed and whispered his final words.

"I wish I had met Siena first."

I looked down at the freezing, black ocean churning below the edge of the boat.

An underground extractor had already prepared my new identity in Switzerland.

With a sudden jerk, I ripped my arm out of the mobster's grip and stepped backward off the edge of the boat.

This time, I chose to live for myself.