Chapter 1
Chapter One
Alessia’s POV
"You're good for nothing, Alessia! Absolutely useless!"
My husband's voice thundered through our bedroom as he paced back and forth, his hands flying in frustration. "Every single misfortune in my life is because of you! You chose a profession meant to destroy people, and now you want to act like a victim?"
I stood in front of the dresser, gripping its edge so hard my knuckles turned white. This was nothing new. This was our routine. Every night, some new reason for why I was the problem in his life.
I turned to face him, my own anger rising and stirring in my chest. "And what about you, Daniel? What exactly have you done in this marriage except blame me for everything?"
He scoffed, raking a hand through his already disheveled hair. "Oh, please! Don't act like you're some saint. A real wife knows how to cook, clean, and actually care for her husband. But no, not Alessia. The great detective. The iron woman. Always off chasing criminals instead of acting like a proper wife."
I let out a bitter laugh. "Proper wife?" My voice dripped with sarcasm. "Tell me, Daniel, did you ever give me a chance to be one? You never even look at me! You never touch me, never acknowledge me unless it's to insult me. You think being married means I'm supposed to sit at home, cook, and wait for you to show me the smallest ounce of affection?"
Daniel clenched his fist hard and continued "You knew who my mother was before we got married, you knew my family’s expectations. And yet, you still act like some independent woman who doesn’t need a husband."
"Because you never act like one!" I fired back. "You never defend me when your mother and sisters tear me apart. You never listen to me. I have fought for this marriage alone for two years while you watched from the sidelines!"
The door burst open, and my personal nightmare stepped inside.
My mother-in-law, Sofia Moretti.
She always looked the same—draped in an expensive silk robe, her blonde hair pinned up in that ridiculous beehive style, her sharp, judgmental eyes scanning the room like she owned it.
And in her mind, she did.
"You stupid girl," she sneered, crossing her arms. "I should have known you'd be in here arguing nonsense with my son instead of doing something useful."
I turned to her, already exhausted. "Mother, this is between Daniel and me. Stay out of it."
She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like I’d slapped her. "Stay out of it? This is my son's house. And you? You’re just a barren, ungrateful burden leeching off of him!"
I clenched my jaw, refusing to let her words get to me, even though they burned.
She took a step closer, lowering her voice into that venomous tone she always used when Daniel wasn’t looking. "A woman’s duty is to serve her husband. To give him children. But you?" She let out a bitter laugh. "You’re nothing but a disgrace. And now, since you love your job so much, you better get ready to leave this house, Alessia."
I felt the rage boiling in my veins. This wasn’t the first time she threatened to throw me out.
I turned to Daniel , hoping, just for once, that he would say something. That he would defend me.
But he just stood there. Silent. Avoiding my gaze.
That hurt more than his words ever could.
Before I could respond, my phone rang.
I sighed, pulling it out of my pocket, expecting another useless report. But the moment I saw the caller ID, my entire body tensed.
Detective Marco. My partner.
I put the phone to my ear. "Marco?"
"Alessia, listen carefully. It’s about him."
I froze.
There was only one man in the world Marco could be referring to.
Leonardo Ricci. The most powerful mafia boss in the country.
The man I had been hunting for five years.
"The bastard just surrendered," Marco continued. "We were about to bust his next drug shipment, but he—he walked right in and handed himself over. Just like that."
My mind went blank.
That didn’t make sense. Leo Ricci wouldn’t just give up.
"What’s the catch?" I asked, already knowing there had to be one.
"We don’t know yet. But we need you here. Now."
I hung up and immediately grabbed my jacket.
"Where do you think you’re going?" Sofia snapped. I turned to her, my eyes blazing. "To do my job. The same one you hate so much. The same one that keeps this city safe from men like Leo Ricci."
Sofia scoffed. "You're running away, as always."
I ignored her and walked to the door, but before I stepped out, I turned to Daniel one last time.
"You never loved me," I said, my voice softer this time. "And I was stupid to think that one day, you would."
Then, without another word, I walked out—leaving behind a house that never felt like home.
