Chapter 2

A sudden commotion broke out just outside the main house.

“Get a doctor! Now! If anything happens, none of you will be able to answer for it!”

A second later, urgent knocking slammed against the bedroom door.

“Boss! It’s from Sophia’s side. She’s in pain—there’s bleeding. You need to come right away!”

Enzo shoved me aside without hesitation.

My back slammed into the brass bedpost, pain shooting through me.

He didn’t even glance back.

“What happened?” he snapped as he yanked the door open.

“Bring the car around. I want the doctor here now.”

Then he was gone.

Just like that.

Marco—my father’s longtime soldier, assigned to me after the wedding—rushed in and steadied me before I could fall.

“Ma’am… don’t cry,” he said quietly.

I froze.

Was I crying?

I touched my face. My fingers came away wet.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

“Help me up,” I said.

“I’m going over there.”

If I didn’t, I already knew what would happen.

By morning, Donna Victoria would make sure everyone heard exactly how “inconsiderate” I had been.

By the time I reached Sophia’s wing, the scene was already set.

She was pressed tightly against Enzo, her face pale, eyes shimmering with tears.

“I didn’t mean to make a scene,” she said softly, voice trembling.

“I just… I got scared.”

Her fingers clutched at his shirt.

“I thought… once I have the baby, you wouldn’t come see me anymore. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being with someone else.”

Her voice broke at just the right moment.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Please don’t be upset. I just… I need you. I don’t want you to leave me.”

Enzo held her closer, one hand resting protectively over her abdomen.

His voice dropped, low and gentle—like confession behind closed doors.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he murmured.

“You’re carrying my child. How could I ignore you?”

His thumb brushed over her hand.

“You and the baby come first now.”

First.

“I’ll be here,” he continued.

“For both of you. Always.”

Then, almost casually—

“Our child will inherit everything. There’s no way I’d leave you alone.”

A pause.

“You’re carrying my child. Things are different now.”

“Until the baby is born, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to Elena. This has nothing to do with her.”

Sophia tightened her grip on him.

“Then promise me,” she whispered.

“Come see me every day. Stay with me. I don’t want you having a child with anyone else.”

Her voice dropped even lower.

“I can give you everything. A family. Children. Isn’t that enough?”

Enzo let out a quiet laugh, brushing a kiss against her forehead.

“You’re impossible,” he said, indulgent.

“Fine. I’ll stay with you.”

Sophia smiled, radiant, satisfied.

“Feel,” she said, guiding his hand to her stomach.

“I’m sure the baby can already tell his father is here.”

I didn’t stay.

I couldn’t.

My hands clenched into fists as I stepped back, then turned and walked out without a sound.

Outside, the night pressed in around the estate.

Beyond the walls—Long Island stretched into darkness.

Inside—everything glittered.

Gold. Marble. Silence.

A cage dressed like a kingdom.

My eyes burned.

My father used to advise this family on war, money, and survival.

Enzo and I grew up side by side.

Back then, my father had other plans for me—an alliance, a different man, someone loyal, someone useful.

When Enzo found out, he showed up at our house and stayed there.

All night.

On his knees.

Didn’t move. Didn’t eat. Didn’t leave.

By morning, he was still there—swearing he would never betray me, never take another woman, never make me share what was mine.

My father believed him.

A few drinks later, the deal was sealed.

Before he left town on business, he said only one thing.

“She’s yours now. Don’t let her regret it.”

And Enzo—standing in front of everyone—gave his word.

“If I ever betray Elena,” he said,

“then I don’t deserve the woman I love. Let me lose everything that matters. Let my blood be spilled in the river.”

Not long after that—

he proved just how little that promise was worth.

Marco’s voice pulled me back.

“Ma’am… don’t worry,” he said carefully.

“Even if she has the child, yours would still carry more weight.”

I shook my head.

Tears slipped quietly down my face.

“There won’t be a child,” I said.

He stared at me, stunned.

I looked away.

If he could give a child to another woman—

then he was no longer mine.

And I don’t keep what’s been tainted.

I sat there all night, unmoving.

When dawn finally broke, I picked up the encrypted phone my father had left me.

I sent one message.

Short. Precise.

To a man who still owed his loyalty to my family.

A street captain. Old guard.

Someone who understood how power really worked.

The next morning, before breakfast, I was summoned.

The living room was already occupied.

Sophia sat comfortably on the leather sofa while Enzo fed her, piece by piece, like she was something delicate.

When he saw me, he paused.

A flicker of something crossed his face—awkwardness, maybe.

“Elena,” he said, stepping toward me,

“You look tired. Didn’t sleep well?”

Donna Victoria flicked ash from her cigar, not even bothering to look at me.

“She’s not the one carrying a child,” she said coolly.

“What does she have to lose sleep over?”

Her gaze shifted, finally landing on Sophia—soft, approving.

“Unlike some people,” she added,

“who actually have something worth worrying about.”