Chapter 2

The moment consciousness returned, a splitting pain radiated from my forehead, making the world spin.

In the Santoro family's secret underground clinic, the air was thick with the metallic smell of blood and cold antiseptic.

"She's not awake yet?"

"Is the child still alive?"

There was no emotion in his tone. But even without opening my eyes, I knew who it was.

Everything about Alessandro was deeply familiar to me, no matter how long we had been apart.

I kept my eyes closed, forcing my eyelids not to tremble.

Then came the click of high heels on the floor. Liliana answered respectfully, "Her vital signs have stabilized, Don. The baby is strong. It survived."

My hand instinctively went to my stomach.

My baby was okay, still kicking me gently.

Thank God, we were both still alive.

"Then don't let her take up space here," Alessandro ordered coldly.

"When she wakes up, send her to the place that will teach her some manners. Since she likes being a shameless whore, let her go where she belongs and reflect on what she's done."

The footsteps faded away.

I couldn't stop the tears from sliding down the corners of my eyes, soaking into the pillow.

He had saved me only to make me suffer, to send me to that "place that will teach her some manners."

Alessandro, is your heart made of stone?

"Still playing possum, my dear Donna?"

Liliana's voice drew near, laced with a venomous laugh.

Suddenly, a cold hand clamped around my throat, squeezing tight enough to cut off my air.

I clenched my jaw, my body rigid, but didn't move an inch.

I would not trust Liliana again.

I had been a fool.

I gave Liliana those photos because I believed her when she claimed to be helping Alessandro gather intelligence. Because of my trust, those fabricated images now existed.

I had to keep pretending to be unconscious. If she knew I was awake, I would be truly finished.

"Her pain tolerance has certainly improved," Liliana snorted, releasing her grip.

"The nurse said pregnant women recover more slowly. It seems she really is still out."

Just then, a shrill ringtone broke the silence.

Liliana answered the phone, her voice low. "It's me... Has that shipment reached the docks yet? Damn it, we have to steer clear of the cops..."

Her voice faded as she walked away, the sound of her heels receding, followed by the soft click of the door lock.

This was it. My chance!

I shot upright, ignoring the pain that wracked my body, and rushed for the door.

The hallway was silent. Liliana stood with her back to me at a distant window, shouting into the phone.

Holding my breath, I crept along the wall, my bare feet silent on the cold floor.

The floor was freezing, and I couldn't stop shaking. But I had to escape for my baby.

Alessandro didn't want us, but I would protect my child.

It was the only reason I had to live.

Just a few meters ahead, I slipped silently into the emergency stairwell.

The stairwell was dark and damp, lit only by the eerie green glow of the exit sign.

"Dammit! The room is empty!"

Liliana's sharp roar came from upstairs, followed by a clatter of footsteps and the crackle of a walkie-talkie. "Seal the exits! She can't have gotten far! Find her!"

Fear seized my throat like an invisible hand.

I trembled so violently I almost missed a step.

The rough, sharp edges of the concrete stairs tore at the soles of my feet, but I felt no pain, only the thunderous pounding of my heart in my chest.

The metallic tang of blood from my shredded feet filled the air.

But all I could think was: faster, faster.

I scrambled down the stairs, oblivious to my fingers getting scraped raw on the rusty handrail.

I burst through the rusted iron door on the ground floor and into a cold, late autumn alley.

This was the city's underbelly, piled high with trash and refuse.

"Over there! I see her!" a Soldato shouted from behind me.

I ran blindly into the alley.

The ground was littered with broken beer bottles and sharp stones.

I ran barefoot over the sharp debris and through foul puddles, the soles of my feet already a bloody mess.

But I couldn't stop. Stopping meant I was finished.

"Get her! Don't let her escape!" Liliana's furious command echoed behind me.

"Stop! One more step and we shoot!"

The footsteps of my pursuers grew closer, a steady drumbeat of death.

Clutching my stomach, I gasped for air, my lungs burning, as despair threatened to swallow me whole.

I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, only to trip on a loose stone.

Just as I was about to fall, a strong arm shot out from the shadows beside me, yanking me back.

A car door slammed shut, and the engine roared to life.

I was shoved onto a soft leather seat.