Chapter 5

I spent the next two weeks locked in the room, watching the manor transform through the windows that were nailed shut.

Xavier had bulldozed my garden and replaced it with Alice’s favorite plants, which were a carpet of scentless green plants.

My beloved designer furniture was all thrown out as well and replaced with something more child-friendly.

Xavier spoiled Alice rotten. He had been neglecting his duties as the Don, so he could spend his days taking her for walks around the manor.

On a certain evening, half a month into my imprisonment, the door finally opened.

Xavier stepped in expressionlessly with a stylist who was carrying a dress trailing after him.

“There’s going to be a dinner with other dons. Your attendance is compulsory.”

He looked at me icily as if looking at an animal.

“I’m sick. I'm not going.” I rested against the headboard and could not even be bothered to look at him.

The last two weeks of confinement had chipped away at my dignity. It had also taken away the last of my hope for him.

“Grace, don’t force my hand. Don’t forget your duties as the Donna, your job is to keep up the image of a loving relationship with me.”

I turned to him and suddenly felt insulted.

He had shunned me and imprisoned me, yet still had the guts to use me to keep up appearances.

At last, I obliged. I got up and changed into the dress.

Not because I was willing to compromise, but only because I would otherwise be cut off from the outside world if I stayed here.

Tonight’s dinner was my only chance to see Rosalia.

I had already obtained the signed divorce papers. It was only after confirming that the assets were ready that I could have the assurance to leave.

During the dinner, I stayed next to Xavier and presented myself as the respectable Donna in a gorgeous haute couture gown. I laughed merrily during conversations.

Donna Clement took my hand and smiled tenderly, “My dear, I’ve been wondering where you’d been for the past two weeks. Is it just me, or have you lost a lot of weight? Was it because of the pregnancy?”

My smile froze, and my heart nearly stopped.

What was she talking about?

I turned to Xavier, who was elegantly swirling his wine glass. There was a faint, gentle smile hanging on his lips.

Upon noticing my gaze, he candidly put his arm around my waist.

“Donna Clement, I was just about to share the good news.”

With that, he raised his glass and tapped it with his finger.

“Since everyone is here, I would like to share some good news.

“My wife is two months pregnant! The Whitmore family is about to welcome an heir.”

A chorus of thunderous applause, accompanied by congratulations, erupted.

Meanwhile, I could feel my hands and feet trembling and freezing. I felt dizzy and had trouble breathing.

Two months.

Alice had been pregnant for roughly two months as well.

Everything made sense.

He was going to use me to legitimize his bastard child with Alice.

“Are you insane?!” I gritted my teeth and whispered to him, “Why should I be the mother of that bastard?”

“You should feel honored, Grace.” He angled his glass to take a sip of wine before stating calmly, “You will be the mother of the rightful heir. What else could you want?”

“What about Alice? Can she stomach her child calling me mother?” I sneered.

“She's much more understanding than you are.”

The look in his eyes softened at the mention of Alice. “She says that as long as the child is safe and can be made the rightful heir, she does not care about titles.”

I hissed at him, “Xavier, you disgust me.”

He thought nothing of my rage and proceeded to tighten his grip on my waist, “Quit scowling. Don't forget, you're here as the Donna.”

I took a deep breath and excused myself to the restroom to touch up my makeup. There, I finally found Rosalia.

“Donna!” Rosalia was taken aback when she saw me, “You've lost so much weight. I heard they locked you up…”

“No time for catch-ups, Rosalia.” I held her arm tightly and said everything at once in a hushed voice, “Have all my assets been transferred?”

“Everything has been done as you instructed. Donna… Are you trying to get away?

“It’s too risky under these circumstances. They have eyes on you everywhere, there’s no way you can make it out…”

I smiled and gently pinched her nose, scrunched up from worry.

“Don’t underestimate me. I need you to hand this letter to Xavier’s former underboss, Noah Gill. He'll take care of things.”