Chapter 3

"I'll be getting my divorce. See you at the law firm tomorrow morning," was my cold reply.

The next morning, I sat at one end of a long table, a folder in my hands.

Inside was Leo's death certificate, the autopsy report, and the bill for the funeral.

"Carina, they're twenty minutes late," my lawyer murmured. "We can reschedule."

"We wait."

The moment the door was pushed open, I knew this wouldn't be easy.

Adriano strode in, followed by six bodyguards in black suits.

Clinging to his arm was Isabella, dressed in a pristine white Chanel suit, with my necklace sparkling at her throat.

"Sorry we're late," Adriano said, taking the head seat. "Isabella insisted on coming to 'pray' for you. She said you're not mentally well, cursing your own brother."

Isabella let go of Adriano, her face a mask of fake concern. "Carina, I know you'd do anything to get Adriano to come home, but how could you joke about Leo's life? That's such bad luck."

She touched the necklace, batting her eyes innocently. "Carina, stop this. Apologize to Adriano. We can all move past this."

Her hypocrisy made my stomach turn.

"An act?" I slammed the cremation certificate down on the table in front of him. "Adriano, Leo was burned to ashes! Because you locked down the hospital! Because of your damn order! And now you're telling me this is an act?"

Adriano didn’t even look at the details. He tossed the folder aside.

"Impressive forgeries." He didn't even glance at them.

"What?"

"You think I can't tell?" he scoffed. "You think you can fool me with this garbage? Carina, I overestimated you."

"They're not fake."

"Of course they are. Because Leo isn't dead," Adriano leaned back in his chair. "This whole thing is just a trap you set to get me to come home."

Isabella clutched her chest, pretending to be shocked.

"Oh my god, Carina, you'd wish death on your own brother? That's horrible..."

I stood up and walked toward Adriano.

"What proof do you want? Leo's body? His ashes?"

"If I have to."

I took a step closer, my voice shaking with rage. "You will look at it. You will look at what you did."

Isabella suddenly shot to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at me.

"You're sick! Using your brother’s fake death for attention! You're disgusting!"

"I'm not lying."

"Yes, you are!" Isabella's voice grew shrill. "You liar! You vicious woman!"

One of her bodyguards suddenly stepped forward. "Don't be disrespectful to Miss Isabella."

Before I could react, he shoved me. Hard.

I lost my balance.

I tumbled backward, crashing down the handful of steps by the conference room door.

My back hit the hard floor. Pain shot through me.

But a sharper pain ripped through my stomach, like something tearing apart.

A crimson stain bloomed on my white dress, spreading fast.

"Carina!" Chloe ran up from downstairs, kneeling beside me.

For the first time, I saw panic on Adriano's face.

He shoved the bodyguard aside and strode towards me.

"Are you okay?"

I wanted to answer, but the pain in my stomach stole my voice.

Isabella followed Adriano, her face a mask of concern.

"Oh my god, Carina, are you alright? My bodyguard didn't mean to, he was just trying to protect me..."

"Call an ambulance," Adriano ordered a guard.

"No need," Isabella said, gently pulling Adriano's sleeve. "She just fell. It's probably nothing serious. She scared me just now, and I'm not feeling well..."

His gaze flickered from the blood on my dress to Isabella’s pale face. He made his choice.

"Apologize to her. You scared her."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Blood was pouring out of my body, and he wanted me to apologize to her?

Chloe's face turned terrifying.

She slowly stood up, walked step by step toward Adriano.

And slapped him with all her might.

The sharp crack echoed through the hall.

"Adriano!" Chloe’s voice was a blade. She pointed a trembling finger at the blood pooling on the floor. "She's pregnant, you fucking bastard! That's your heir bleeding out on the floor!"