I Was the Deal He Sacrificed

To the world, I was Mrs. Ward—the untouchable queen beside the mafia king of New York, Elias Ward.

But I knew my husband never loved me.

His heart had always belonged to Harper Dinah. His nephew’s wife. And after that nephew conveniently died, Elias brought her into our mansion, “I just want to take better care of her,” he’d said.

And his version of “care” was where he’d throw a man out of a party for daring to flirt with Harper and got her pregnant.

Elias likes to praise me in public like I was the perfect wife to him.

And I was. I helped build his empire. I was the one who smiled and played nice. I made his casino shine while he hid Harper away like she was something sacred.

Because of all that praising, one of his enemies set his sights on me.

They took me. Sent Elias a message soaked in blood and threats: Back off. Leave New York. Or your pretty wife dies.

Of course, Elias didn’t choose to back off..

“Just wait,” he said over the phone, “They won’t hurt you, Noa. You’re leverage. Just hold on until Harper gives birth. Then I’ll come for you.”

Eight months of being held in a filthy hole, starved, beaten, degraded. The gang leader raped me over and over again.

And still, Elias never came.

Finally, I escaped when they were all drunk. Went home, only find my twins sleeping in the maid’s room, eating scraps while Elias was too busy hosting a party for his newborn.

I didn’t confront him, just packed my babies and disappear.

1

Noa’s POV

The second I stepped into the Ward mansion, I knew something was wrong.

Streamers hung from every window. Champagne glasses clinked. Laughter drifted on the spring breeze.

It was a party. A one-month celebration. For a baby girl named Lila.

I watched, frozen, as Elias, my husband, and Harper, his nephew’s wife, swept into the courtyard, hand in hand. The crowd erupted in cheers, clapping like trained seals. In Harper’s arms, dressed in a froth of pink lace, was a newborn.

It must be Lila.

Harper wore white—a soft, dreamy thing that made her look like an angel. Elias matched her, an all-white suit clinging to his tall frame, his hand protectively on her back.

Elias lifted his champagne glass, the crowd falling into a reverent hush.

"Today," he announced, "we celebrate my daughter Lila’s one-month. And—" he smiled, proud, radiant, "—we have more good news. Harper and I are getting married. The wedding will be held at the Ward Casino. I hope to see you all there."

So this was what had kept Elias too busy to come rescue me from his rivalry.

Elias’s gaze swept the crowd—and landed on me.

For a second, his face cracked. Shock. Relief. Maybe even joy. His body shifted forward, instinct pulling him toward me—

Until Harper caught his arm. Whispered something urgent into his ear.

And just like that,