Dad’s and the baby’s urns sat on the living room mantel when I got home.
All my men watched me, eyes burning with rage.
My phone buzzed. Lily Ann. Message after message, dripping with venom.

"Thought he loved you so much. Turns out it was nothing!"
He dug up your daddy and your bastard’s grave just because I asked! To make me feel better!
Vincent says you’re gonna kneel and beg my forgiveness!
Serena, just wait. My ass is warming up for your throne.
I read each message without flinching. Hysterics come from love.
But Idon’y love him anymore.

Now that the love for Vincent was gone, Lily Ann’s taunts were just… noise.
I went quiet. The private chapel became my sanctuary.
Vincent seemed pleased with my silence.
“If you’d been this reasonable sooner, none of this mess would’ve happened.”

He glanced at the urns on the chapel altar, his expression unreadable.
“I’ll find better plots for your dad and the… baby.”
“Serena… stop treating me like the enemy. We’re still husband and wife.”
His words were laughable.
Had I spoiled him so badly? That after pointing guns at me, shattering my heart, he still thought we could play house?
A week later, Vincent’s men came for me.
“Mrs. Shaw. The boss requests your presence. All the captains and managers will be there.”
“He has the asset transfer papers ready. Advises you not to make a scene.”
I stood without expression.
I walked to the chapel altar, lit three sticks of incense for Dad and the baby who never was.
At the headquarters conference room, Vincent sat in the high-backed chair reserved for the boss.
Lily Ann clung to his side, smirking triumphantly at me.
The chairs lining the room were filled with men who’d bled alongside us.
Transfer papers and a cup of tea were placed before me.
Vincent’s gaze was heavy. “Serena, you went too far. Even as my wife, punishment is necessary.”
“Kneel. Serve Lily tea. Apologize. Sign over thirty percent of your assets to her. Then we call it even.”
Lily Ann beamed. “Thanks for the generosity, sis.”
“I know your… sins… left you barren. But don’t worry.”
“For the price of these assets, Vincent’s and my kids might just toss you a crust when you’re old.”
Vincent tapped the table, his eyes warning.
“Serena, I said you’d remain Mrs. Shaw. Doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate defiance forever.”
“Behave. Don’t piss me off.”
One of the old crew slammed his fist on the table. “Vincent Shaw! Have you lost your damn mind?!”
“Without the Old Man and Miss lifting you up, you’d still be a low-level bookie!”
“And for this cheap slut? You treat Miss like this? Your conscience got eaten by dogs!”
BANG! BANG!
The man screamed, collapsing as bullets shattered his knees. Guns swung towards me.
“Serena, how many more loyalists do you have whispering poison?”
“I gave you a chance. You spat on it. Don’t blame me for what comes next!”
The next second, blood sprayed.
In Vincent’s stunned eyes, I slowly smiled. “Vincent Shaw. Right back at you.”
“I gave you chances too.”