"Just tell me who needs to die," Tony whispered, his voice sharp as a blade. "I’ll take care of anyone who hurts you."

He looked straight into Mark’s eyes.

"Tell me who did this to you."

Mark stared at him, searching his face.

"Speak," Tony said quietly.

"It’s Stella... she cheated on me," Mark murmured.

Tony’s expression turned cold. "Do you want her gone," he asked calmly, "or do you want her to suffer first?"

"No," Mark said, his voice cracking. "You can’t hurt her. Promise me."

Tony frowned, his eyes darkening before he gave a stiff nod. "Alright. I promise."

With that assurance, the dam broke. Mark explained everything, the messages he’d found on Stella’s phone, the mystery boyfriend she had been hiding for years, and the cold-blooded plan to use Mark’s money to start a new life with another man. He told him about the money she had just demanded and the videos that had shattered his heart.

When Mark finished, the air in the room turned heavy with Tony’s silent anger.

His hand moved toward his weapon, ready to act. But Mark caught his arm, his eyes no longer broken, only dark and determined.

"No," Mark said. "I don’t want that. I want revenge that will hurt her exactly the way she hurt me. Death is too easy."

Tony said, "First, you’re not giving her that money. She’s taken enough from you."

Mark let out a shaky breath.

"This amount... " It’s small compared to what she usually asks for," he admitted. "A few days ago, I sent her two hundred thousand. She said she had a big project... I believed her. I just sent it."

He shook his head, pain flashing across his face.

"Matteo warned me... but I didn’t listen."

Tony watched him for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "It’s not too late," he said calmly. "At least you found out. Now you know where you stand."

Through the night, the two of them sat in the shadows, quietly putting a plan together.

When everything was decided, Mark stood and walked back to his room, his steps heavy, like a man already going numb.

He slipped into bed beside the woman who had betrayed him, pretending he knew nothing.

He tossed and turned for hours, the warmth of her body feeling cold against his skin, until exhaustion finally dragged him into a restless sleep.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, but Mark felt none of its warmth.

He lay still, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the act to begin.

Beside him, Stella stirred, stretching with a soft, satisfied sigh that made his skin crawl.

"Good morning, handsome," she murmured, her voice thick with fake affection. She leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek, but Mark shifted just enough to make it land on his jaw.

"Morning," he replied, his voice a flat, practiced monotone. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Stella didn’t seem to notice his coldness; she was too preoccupied with the prize. She reached for her phone immediately, her fingers dancing across the screen. "So, about that transfer, baby? I really need to get those things taken care of today."

Mark sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He didn’t look at her.

She’s not even thinking about breakfast... the money is all that matters to her.

"I’ve already spoken to Tony," Mark said calmly. "He’s handling the funds. He’ll transfer it to you later today."

Stella frowned slightly. "Since when does Tony handle your money?"

Mark didn’t hesitate. "Since he’s my personal security. He protects me, so it makes sense for him to handle things like this too. It’s safer."

"Oh, you’re right!" Stella said with a cheerful smile as she got out of bed. "I’ll go get ready, I have a long day ahead."

After Stella showered and got dressed, she turned to Mark.

"Babe, I’m going downstairs to get some coffee. Do you want any? I can bring it up for you."

"I’m fine," Mark said. "I don’t want coffee."

"Alright," Stella replied.

She picked up her things and walked out of the room.

Downstairs, the atmosphere felt tight, as if something were about to snap.

Tony stood by the entrance, his arms crossed, his eyes following Stella as she walked into the kitchen to get her coffee.

"Good morning, Tony," Stella said lightly.

Tony gave a small nod. He didn’t say a word. But the way he looked at her made the air feel heavy.

Mark walked downstairs, his expression calm.

Tony was already in the living room, seated quietly.

Mark moved toward Stella.

She was sipping her coffee when she turned to him. "Tell Tony to send the money now," she said casually.

"You’ll get it before you get home, baby," Mark replied.

"Alright." She set her coffee down on the table.

She stepped closer, kissed him lightly, then picked up her designer bag, the one Mark had bought for her, and slipped it over her shoulder.

"I’m heading out now, love," Stella said. "I’ll call you later tonight?"

"Alright, babe," Mark replied.

He watched from the window as she walked to her car and drove out of the driveway, the vehicle disappearing down the street.

Mark then went to sit beside Tony, the silence of the house settling around them.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he spoke.

"About what we talked about last night... I’ve been thinking."

Tony glanced at him.

"The energy I was going to use to get revenge on her..." Mark murmured, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I’d rather use it to chase someone else. Someone I’ve had my eye on."

Tony shifted, his expression skeptical. "Are you trying to replace her or trying to love again? Because I don’t think you should be chasing anyone right now, not while you’re still hurting this much."

"It’s the only way I’ll move on faster," Mark said, something new showing in his eyes.

"Fine," Tony sighed. "Who is this girl you’ve got your eye on?"

"It’s not a girl," Mark said quietly.

Tony didn’t even blink. "Then who is it?"

"A man," Mark replied, watching him closely. "One of Adrian’s friends. Charles."

"Okay..." Tony replied, his tone flat and indifferent.

Mark frowned. "’Okay’? You’re not surprised I’m interested in a man? Or that it’s one of Adrian’s friends?"

"No," Tony said, looking him straight in the eye. "I have no problem with it. The one I’m really after is Matteo, not you. So your choices aren’t my concern. My only job is to protect you."

Mark let out a dry laugh. "You claim you hate Adrian, but you’re still helping them draw Matteo’s rivals out."

"I’m doing my job," Tony countered. "It’s not because I like them together. And honestly? I’m enjoying the game."

Mark chuckled, shaking his head. "Find someone who’ll love you right, Tony... you’re not actually a bad guy."

Tony scoffed. "You know that ugly boyfriend of Matteo’s said the same thing," he muttered, reaching for a cigarette.

"That’s a lie," Mark said, "Adrian is damn cute, and you’re handsome, you just need to stop being so bitter. You both look good."

Tony rolled his eyes hard. "Spare me. There is no way in hell I will ever like him."

"Alright, alright," Mark said, standing up and stretching. "Let me get dressed so we can head back."