The Mafia Boss Asked His Wife to Tell His Mistress Their Marriage Was Already Over—But She Refused to Give Him the One Lie He Needed

Isabel stared at the ticket in my hand, her chest heaving.

"Take it," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument. "My men will drive you to the airport. You will take your son, and you will never set foot in this country again. If you do, I will hand you over to your own family. Do you understand?"

Isabel snatched the ticket, sobbing in relief. "Thank you. Thank you."

"Get her out of my sight," I told one of Silvio’s men. He pulled Isabel to her feet and escorted her toward the elevator. She didn't look back at Gabriel.

Gabriel was still pinned to the floor, breathing heavily. The fight had drained out of him, leaving only the pathetic reality of a man who had finally run out of lies.

"Carrie," he rasped, looking up at me. His eyes were wide with genuine fear. "Thirty-two years. Please."

I looked at my daughter. Elena was wiping her tears, standing taller now, no longer the manipulated child. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. She buried her face in my shoulder, safe.

"You are safe now," I whispered to her. "You and Leo. I promise."

I let her go and walked back to where my husband lay on the floor.

"Thirty-two years," I echoed his words. "You used my love as a shield, Gabriel. You murdered Michael because he was going to tell me the truth. You tried to rob me blind and leave me to take the fall."

I picked up my father’s gold watch from the table.

"My father told you to take care of me," I said. "You failed."

I looked at Silvio.

"Let him up," I commanded.

The men stepped back. Gabriel slowly scrambled to his feet, straightening his ruined suit jacket. He looked toward the elevator, then back at me, hope flickering in his eyes.

"You're letting me go?" he asked.

"No," I said. "I’m letting you walk out that door. But not to the airport."

I pulled out my phone and placed it on the mahogany table.

"Ten minutes ago," I said calmly, "I sent the forged deeds, the financial records of your embezzlement, and a recorded statement regarding Michael’s death to the District Attorney."

Gabriel’s face turned grey. "You called the feds."

"You wanted a divorce," I said. "You wanted a clean break. The feds are waiting for you in the lobby. If you walk out of here and surrender, you will spend the rest of your life in federal prison. But you will be alive."

I stepped closer to him, lowering my voice.

"If you try to run, the Rossi family will find you before morning. And they will not be as merciful as a judge."

Gabriel stared at me, completely broken. The mighty mafia boss, reduced to choosing between a cage and a coffin.

"You planned this," he whispered.

"Since the moment you asked me to tell your mistress our marriage was over," I replied.

I turned my back on him and linked my arm through Elena’s.

"Goodbye, Gabriel."

We walked to the elevator. I didn't look back to see him drop to his knees. I didn't need to. The doors slid shut, sealing the past behind us.