The Car Navigation Exposes the Don's Secret

Three years married to Victor, the Don, and as far as New York was concerned, we were untouchable.

Until my own car was in the shop, so I took his daily driver from the garage.

On the way, I activated the car's smart system and said, "Navigate home."

But the screen pinpointed a place I had never seen before — a villa in the suburbs.

Then, a sugary-sweet voice floated from the speakers: "Okay! Setting course for Victor and Mia's secret castle."

My stomach dropped. Who was Mia? And what secret castle?

Without a second thought, I dialed his number.

"The home address is set to some strange place."

He just laughed it off. "Oh, that. One of my guys' car broke down the other day. I let him use mine to drop someone off."

"Okay, no problem," I said, smiling into the phone.

I ended the call and pulled up the navigation history.

That villa address was listed seventeen times, every single one on a day Victor was supposedly "out of town on business."

I fired up the engine and drove.

Forty minutes later, I was parked outside a villa surrounded by a wall of roses.

"Congratulations! You have arrived at Victor and Mia's secret castle! Your trip is complete," the nav system announced cheerfully.

Just as I was about to get out, I heard footsteps running toward the car.

A young woman darted out of the villa, heading straight for my window.

"Victor, you're here already?" she said, tapping on the glass. Her voice had a playful pout in it. "I'm not even ready for you..."

Then she saw me. Her face froze.

I sized her up. Early twenties, long blonde hair.

And her voice was the exact same one from the navigation system.

"Mrs. Ashford? What are you doing here?" She looked like a frightened little rabbit, but quickly calmed down and forced a shy smile.

I raised an eyebrow. "You know who I am?"

Mia nodded. "I'm Mia. A med student at Columbia. Mr. Ashford puts me through school, and... I've heard him mention you."

My eyes were locked on her. "Is that so? Then why is his car's home address set to this place?"

She suddenly realized what was going on, then self-consciously tugged at the hem of her dress.

"A few days ago, I had terrible stomach pains and called Mr. Ashford's assistant. His car broke down, so he borrowed Mr. Ashford's to take me to the hospital."

She pulled a hospital registration slip and call records.

The evidence looked solid.

But I knew Victor.

He was obsessive about his cars. He never let anyone touch them but me.

My gaze slowly moved from her face, which was filled with innocence, to her neck.

Around her neck hung a delicate platinum chain.

Suspended from the necklace was a rare padparadscha sapphire, surrounded by twelve pink diamonds.

And just like that, my heart turned to stone.

It was a one-of-a-kind piece I had designed myself