My Husband’s Real Wife

As soon as I got home, I had Camila start liquidating all the assets in my name that tied me to Alessio. The art, the jewelry, the properties he had given me—I put it all up for sale.

On Saturday, I attended a grand charity auction. As the host gave the opening remarks, I saw Alessio, who hadn't been home all week.

He was holding Bianca intimately, the expensive gold watch on his wrist replaced by a cheap, braided bracelet she had made for him.

I had once lovingly woven a watchband for him, but he had dismissed it as "childish" and "unbecoming of my status." Yet now, he proudly showed off that crooked bracelet to others, his face beaming.

Bianca nestled contentedly in his arms, looking every bit the part of a Donna Valeriano.

Someone nearby commented, "Mrs. Valeriano's haute couture gown is stunning. I couldn't even get an appointment a month in advance. Don Valeriano must have pulled a lot of strings to get it for her."

My friend gave me a strange look. "Sera, isn't that your husband?"

I took a deep breath and forced a serene smile. "We separated a long time ago."

"What!" The woman who had just spoken turned around in shock. The commotion drew the attention of others nearby.

"Seraphina?"

Seeing me, a flash of panic crossed Alessio's face.

Before he could speak, Bianca cut in. "Seraphina, long time no see. What are you donating to the auction tonight?"

She took a velvet jewelry box from her purse and slowly opened it. "I'm planning to donate this holy medal that Ms. Elena Rossi gave me. After all, she loved charity work when she was alive."

"Now that she's gone, I'm sure she'd want her belongings to continue helping the world, right?"

Her tone was so matter-of-fact, as if she were my mother's real daughter.

Seeing the familiar Virgin Mary medal in Bianca's hand, the last thread of my composure finally snapped. That medal was part of the dowry my mother had prepared for me.

She had hoped I would keep it safe after she passed, and that I would have a happy marriage. It seemed I had failed at both.

"How do you have my mother's medal?" I reached out to snatch it, but a large hand stopped me.

I looked up into Alessio's face, and my eyes immediately reddened. "Did you give it to her? You were the only one who helped me sort through her belongings! Say something!"

Alessio loosened his grip slightly. "Seraphina, stop making a scene. I'll explain everything when we get home."

He reached out, as if to wipe away my tears. Just then, Bianca peeked out timidly from behind him.

"Seraphina, you wouldn't want to go against your mother's wishes, would you?"

Seeing their united front, I understood everything. "You're right," I said, letting out a cold laugh and shaking my head. "You two disgust me. You're not worth my time."

Hearing my sarcasm, Alessio's expression hardened. He pulled me away from the crowd, his eyes urgent.

"Seraphina, you've misunderstood…"

Before he could finish, his phone rang.

Seeing "Bianca" on the screen, he repeatedly declined the call, but it kept buzzing. Finally, with an apologetic look, he answered.

"Alessio, help me!" Bianca's terrified sobs echoed through the phone. "Someone's kidnapped me! They're going to... they're going to hurt me!"

The moment she finished, Alessio's face transformed. His guilt vanished, replaced by a crushing grip on my arm.

"You hired people to go after Bianca?"