The Savior He Worshipped Wrong

He snapped his fingers. A line of uniformed servants filed in, carrying trays of exotic broths and expensive tonics. It had been the same every day for three years. Under the guise of “nourishing” my body, he was really just caging me.

Looking at the food that had once moved me to tears, I now felt only a wave of nausea.

"I don't want this anymore." I turned my head away—my first act of defiance. "Vincenzo, it's been years. I've recovered. Can I have a life of my own? I want to work, or maybe just travel."

Vincenzo went still. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes before being swallowed by that sick, obsessive affection. His fingers traced my cheek, his breath dangerously close.

"My girl, your body is too fragile. The world outside is full of germs and danger. You can't leave my protection."

"We are meant to rule this empire together. You have no idea how important you are to me, Lexi. You are my heart, and I will not allow my heart to be exposed to the slightest risk."

Beautiful, honey-coated words, each one laced with arsenic. He wasn't protecting me; he was imprisoning me.

Just as he was about to feed me a spoonful himself, as if I were a pet, his private, encrypted phone rang.

The moment he answered, the oppressive aura around him vanished, replaced by a tenderness I had never, ever heard from him.

"Baby, some urgent family business came up. I have to go." He hung up, planting a hurried kiss on my forehead. "Be a good girl and stay home. I'll be back to check on your 'homework'—and you know the punishment for disobedience."

Watching him leave, I felt no lingering affection, only disgust.

I swept every priceless dish from the table into the trash can, watching them blend into a filthy mess, just like my marriage.

Back in the study, I copied the recordings and chat logs. Just then, my phone lit up. A new Instagram post from Lola.

In the photo, Lola was a glowing new mother, cradling a wrinkly newborn. And beside her, my husband, Vincenzo, held the baby with the tender joy of a new father.

Around the infant's neck was the emerald necklace. The one reserved for the matriarch of the Costello family.

The caption was a knife to the heart: 【What's it like having a brother-in-law who spoils you rotten? Thanks to Vince for booking the entire private hospital for me. So glad to have you here for every milestone~】

Numbly, I clicked open another, deeply hidden folder on the computer. A lifetime trust agreement stared back at me: Vincenzo had gifted ninety percent of his liquid assets to Lola Rossi and her descendants.

My tears had run dry. All that was left was a hysterical urge to laugh.

So this was what his love looked like. Unconditional. All-consuming. It seemed he was even willing to raise a child for her, no matter who the father was.

Since you love her so much, since you're both so desperate to be together…

Then I'll grant your wish.