Chapter 4 Resignation

Evelyn's POV

I walked into my own office. I couldn't think straight, let alone make sense of the business files in front of me.

By nine, I'd finally gotten the files in order. I took all the folders up to Federico's office on the top floor.

At that hour, Federico was in a meeting, so I handed everything to his assistant, Felipe Moreno, who had also become the Gambrelli family's underboss.

"Mr. Moreno, I'm leaving the Gambrelli family. These are the deals I've been handling. From now on, they're all yours." I set down the files. On top was my resignation letter. "Please process my resignation through the usual channels."

Felipe froze. He swallowed and took the letter. "I don't know what to say to make you feel better, but I understand why you made this decision, Ms. Gambrelli."

"I don't think Federico will turn down my resignation," I said. "I've enjoyed working with you. Thank you for always looking out for me, whether it was out of friendship or some other reason."

Felipe went pale, confirming my suspicion. So Federico's assistant knew about his whole revenge plan.

"I only found out four months ago... I swear," Felipe said, looking guilty. He picked up the letter and sighed. "I'll give these to the Don later."

I nodded. I'd known all along that Felipe would side with Federico. But it still hurt, because I'd trusted him so much.

Once that was done, I hurried back to my office, packed up my things, and headed for the elevator.

I couldn't wait to get out of there, but I wasn't so lucky.

On the tenth floor, the elevator doors opened. Bianca Hill and Federico's mother, Anna Carter, walked in.

In that tight space, the air turned tense.

"You're leaving?" Bianca glanced at the box in my hands.

I didn't say anything.

"It's best that you leave. You should know we've been extremely generous with you. At least Federico left you a house. Don't forget, the villa you live in and all the luxury you've enjoyed are soaked in my husband's blood!" Anna snapped, glaring at me viciously. "Your father killed him!"

"Anna, calm down. Your health matters more than anything right now," Bianca said, the picture of concern.

But Anna wasn't done. She turned back to me, furious. "You were never good enough for my son. The daughter of the man who murdered my husband will never be my daughter-in-law!"

Anna had never been this rude to me before. Now she was finally showing her true colors.

"Oh, there's something you might not know yet." Anna smiled at Bianca. "Bianca is Federico's girlfriend now. She's the right woman for my son. She's beautiful, and she comes from a respectable family.

"Not like you! Your father is a disgraceful murderer. Oh, and Bianca stayed with us at my villa last night. When they get married, I'm throwing them a huge wedding reception!"

"Thank you, Anna. You're so good to me." Bianca smiled and shot me a smug look.

"Don't call me that anymore. You can call me Mom," Anna told Bianca happily.

Their smiles grew brighter. I kept my face blank, but inside I was falling apart.

When the elevator finally reached the first floor, Bianca and Anna got off.

I stayed in the elevator alone. I couldn't make my feet move.

I already knew Federico had never loved me, but hearing Anna say it still cut deep. Every new humiliation hurt more than the last.

The doors closed, and the elevator started climbing again. But I stayed curled up in the corner, my vision blurry, my knees weak.

Suddenly, everything went black. My legs gave out.

Thud!

I hit the cold floor hard.

Before everything went completely dark, I thought I saw a familiar figure rushing toward me...

When I woke up, I smelled the sharp antiseptic of a hospital. A bright white ceiling loomed above me. Too clean, too quiet.

"Evelyn! Thank God, you're finally awake. I was worried to death!" It was Aurora.

"How did I get here?" I asked.

Aurora frowned. "Someone from your company brought you in. I don't know who. A nurse called me from your phone. She said the man who brought you in was tall and really good-looking."

Aurora's description brought back the figure I'd seen right before I passed out.

That familiar figure... could it have been Federico?

No, how could that be? Federico doesn't love me at all. Why would he care whether I live or die?

"Maybe it was Felipe. He's always looked out for me," I said with a wry smile.

"I guess so. But is Felipe strong enough to carry you and run all the way to the hospital? Never mind, forget it." Suddenly, Aurora's expression turned serious. She grabbed my hand. "There's something you need to know."

"What is it, Aurora? Why do you look so nervous all of a sudden?" I felt uneasy.

Aurora's voice was heavy. "Evelyn, the doctor just told me... you're pregnant."