Chapter 4

Alessandro's voice sliced through the air, cold and sharp. “In your own words, wife,” he sneered, his smirk loaded with threat. My throat tightened, but I managed to stammer, “N-no!”

His gaze drilled into mine, victorious. “Exactly. And that’s the only answer I expect from you,” he drawled, each word heavy with contempt. Just then, Maria, standing off to the side, let her words slip in a hateful mutter, “Then… whose child is it?” She feigned an innocent expression, quickly backtracking with, “I… I didn’t mean to say that.”

Her words hit their mark, lighting a dangerous fire in Alessandro’s eyes. He seized my face, fingers digging painfully into my skin. I felt like he might snap me in two. Leaning in close, his voice dropped to a venomous whisper. “If I find out you’re carrying another man’s child…” he warned, his tone oozing danger, “I’ll kill you and that bastard baby.” My heart sank, but I knew better than to try to defend myself. No explanation would satisfy him; I could feel it. So I stayed silent, feeling the weight of the secret pressing harder on me with each second.

When he finally grew tired of glaring at me, he let go with a dismissive shove, grabbing his suit jacket and briefcase without so much as a glance at the breakfast table. The door clicked shut, and I felt a brief sense of relief, only for dread to creep in again. For now, I was safe… but that would only last until he discovered the truth about the life growing inside me.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I finished my chores, exhausted. In the kitchen, I heard Maria’s footsteps, and she appeared with a forced smile. “Aria, dear,” she began, her voice laced with fake pity. “We’re all heading to the party soon. Alessandro insists we go—he’s rather strict about his commands, isn’t he?” She shot me a look, fully aware of the reality of his control.

She hesitated, savoring the next piece of information. “The party, it’s all for Vanessa, Alessandro’s precious little girlfriend, back from pursuing her dreams. Acting, modeling, all that.” My stomach twisted at the name. Vanessa. Alessandro’s beloved. Maria squeezed my hand with a smile that mocked sympathy. “Take care.”

As the mansion grew silent, I avoided dinner, setting some aside for the servants and retreating to my room early. I thought rest might offer me some peace, but my phone buzzed, revealing an article that froze my heart. Alessandro and Vanessa were there, locked in a passionate kiss, their faces lit with the happiness I’d never seen from him. I cradled my belly, thinking of the baby, realizing that my hope for Alessandro’s love had been in vain. Vanessa was back. There was no place for me in his life.

The lights suddenly flickered off, and darkness filled the mansion. I turned on my phone’s flashlight, casting haunting shadows in the hall. I called out for help, but there was no response from the guards or staff. Panic clawed at my throat as I heard footsteps—many of them, and heavy—echoing in the entrance. Shining my light in their direction, I caught a glimpse of masked figures, armed with knives and guns. Heart pounding, I shut off the light and slipped into the shadows, drawing on every ounce of familiarity I had with this place.

A chilling voice called out, “Come out, come out, wherever you are,” followed by another urgent command, “We have to find her and kill her now, or the Boss will kill us.” Boss. I knew instantly who they meant. Alessandro. My own husband had sent these men to end my life. The realization hit like a physical blow, but I couldn’t afford despair—I had to survive, for my baby’s sake.

I hid in a kitchen cabinet, holding my breath as they raked the mansion, their frustration growing. When they moved farther away, I opened the cabinet door and slipped down the hall, inching toward the front door, desperate to escape.

Finally outside, a bone-chilling realization struck me. Alessandro had planned this, making sure no one would be here to help me. Tears streamed down my face, but I brushed them away, focusing only on getting out. Fate seemed to finally be on my side; somehow, I’d made it. I wasn’t turning back.

With the money from my wedding ring—a bitter reminder of a broken marriage—I bought a one-way ticket to New York. As the plane readied for takeoff, I placed a hand on my belly, whispering softly to my child. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. He may not want us, but I’ll always love you. I’ll protect you, no matter what.” I took one last look back, then forward, eyes fixed on the future. “Goodbye, Alessandro Valentino. Now, you’re free to live as you want.”