Chapter 6

Flora’s POV

When I woke up, I was alone.

I looked around. My bedroom, familiar and unchanged.

I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, my legs too weak to hold me.

A maid rushed to my side, catching me before I fell. “Donna, please—don’t move. You’re still very weak. You’ve been unconscious for two days. You barely ate. Let me bring you something first—”

Pain spread through me—dull, deep, everywhere.

And then—A thought. I grabbed the maid’s arm. “What happened to me? What did the Don say?”

The soreness, the exhaustion—they were just from the transfusion, right?

The maid hesitated, “Donna… you had a miscarriage. You need to rest—”

“No.” I shoved her aside, stumbling toward the door.

No. No, no— My hand pressed hard against my stomach, as if I could still feel something there.

This couldn’t be real.

Where was Luca?

I needed to see him. I needed—

The door opened before I could reach it.

Luca’s assistant stood there, composed as ever. “Donna. It’s good you’re awake. The Don sent me to bring you in. There’s a board meeting at the casino this afternoon. As Miss Kane and the primary investor, your presence is required.”

My breath caught.

If Luca was there…Then I would go.

I dressed with trembling hands and followed him out.

Behind me, the maid called out, her voice filled with worry. “Donna, you shouldn’t be going out right now—”

…

Jake led me straight toward the conference room, but we barely reached the entrance before chaos broke out.

A group of people rushed past us. “Someone’s been shot!” one of them yelled. “Get out—now!”

Jake didn’t hesitate. He pushed me forward anyway, guiding me into the conference room. It was probably the safest place in the casino—aside from the vault.

Inside, Luca, Annie, and several investors were already there.

“There’s only one vest!” one man argued. “Shouldn’t we vote before you put it on her?”

I followed his gaze. Luca stood in front of Annie, fastening a bulletproof vest around her.

He saw me. His hands paused for a fraction of a second.

“Luca?” Annie called softly.

Just like that, he turned back and finished securing it.

Then he faced the room. “We only have one vest. But don’t worry—I’ll go out without one, just like the rest of you. If anyone gets shot, I take the same risk.”

I didn’t even get the chance to speak to Luca alone.

The guards moved quickly, ushering us out through the fire exit.

The line stretched long and tense. Luca and Annie were at the front. Jake and I were near the back.

Jake glanced at me, worry clear in his eyes. “Donna, don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”

I gave a faint, bitter smile.

Even a stranger could say that. So where was my husband—the one who vowed never to leave me?

Just as I was about to step into the stairwell—A gunshot cracked through the air. “Die, you piece of shit! Don Ricci, my ass!”

Burning pain exploded across my back.

The crowd surged into panic, people shoving past each other, desperate to escape, screaming. Jake was shouting something too—but the sound blurred, distant, like I was underwater.

Everything slowed.

Had I… been shot?

My hand reached back, something warm and sticky.

I staggered and fell.

Through the blur, I saw them—Luca and Annie at the front. Annie trembling in Luca’s arms. Luca holding her close, whispering to her and supporting her.

“Flora! Stay with me!” A voice broke through the haze.

Strong arms caught me, holding me up. “Flora… I’m here. I’ve got you. It’s alright… I’ve got you…”

But I was so tired, so tired to even open my eyes—to see who was holding me.

My mind wouldn’t cooperate. Everything felt distant, slipping.

Still, one thought clung to me, sharp and unyielding.

I wouldn’t die like this—not before Luca and Annie paid for what they’d done.

I refused to let them walk away unscathed. They would burn for it.