Chapter 4

The lake's freezing water swallowed us the moment we hit it.

Vera clung to me, struggling desperately.

I stayed calm. This was all part of my plan.

If Vito saved Vera first, I could fake my death and escape him.

"Vito, save me!"

Vera screamed at the top of her lungs.

"I'm carrying your baby!"

I let go of her hand and dove deeper.

Then something splashed into the water above us.

Vito swam straight toward me, as if he hadn't noticed Vera calling for help, and wrapped his arms around me.

Only after he'd pulled me to shore did he turn back to save Vera.

But it was too late. Vera had inhaled water, lost consciousness, and stopped breathing.

Vito gave her rescue breaths and dragged her back from death's door.

But by the time they got to the hospital, the baby couldn't be saved.

When Vera woke up, she grabbed Vito's collar and screamed.

"She killed our baby! Vito, kill her! Avenge our baby!"

I stood by the window and spoke calmly.

"The doctor said the impact when we hit the water didn't cause the miscarriage. You inhaled water, passed out, and didn't get enough oxygen."

Vera shrieked, "Shut up!"

I looked at Vito. "Why didn't you save her first? Didn't you know I could swim?"

I'd thought he'd save Vera first, and everything would end perfectly.

She'd be safe, and I'd fake my death and leave.

But he'd chosen to save me first.

What a nuisance.

Vito's face clouded over, and his hand flew up.

His palm stopped inches from my cheek and never came down. It just hung there, trembling.

"Serafina, don't think you can get away with anything because I love you! This time you're going to pay!"

His eyes were bloodshot, and he spoke through gritted teeth. "Go back to the estate. You won't set foot outside your room without my permission!"

For a whole week after that, I was locked up on the estate.

Vito took my phone, my car keys, and everything else that could connect me to the outside world.

The next time I left the estate, I was taken under guard to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.

Vera stood in front of a tomb niche, watching me with cold eyes.

"Kneel and beg my baby for forgiveness."

I looked at Vito.

He avoided my eyes and said nothing.

Then the two bodyguards behind me stepped forward and jammed their guns against my waist.

I clenched my teeth, held my head high, and kept my back straight.

Vera came around behind me and kicked me hard in the back of the knees.

I fell forward, my knees slamming into the hard ground.

Vera grabbed my hair and yanked my head back.

"Can't throw your weight around as Donna anymore? Where's all that madness of yours now?"

With that, she spat in my face.

In the distance, Vito instinctively took half a step forward, then forced himself to stop.

Vera slapped me three times.

My face burned, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

Last of all, Vera had someone haul over a bucket of holy water.

She smiled savagely. "I'll wash away your sins on the Lord's behalf."

Vito finally stepped forward and stood in front of me.

"That's enough, Vera. You've gotten it out of your system. Losing the baby wasn't all her fault."

"No!" Vera screamed, her eyes red. "You feel sorry for her? Then who's going to feel sorry for our baby?"

Vito pressed his lips together and stepped aside.

His hoarse voice circled overhead like a vulture.

"Serafina, this is a debt you owe."

In front of everyone, Vera grinned and poured the holy water over my head.

It was ice-cold. It soaked me through and snuffed out the last warmth in my heart.

"Vito promised me that once I've recovered, we'll have another baby."

Vera hooked her arm through Vito's, her smile smug.

"Now we're going to the Caribbean to clear our heads, and you'll stay at the estate and repent."

I lowered my head to hide the smile in my eyes.

In my palm was the phone I'd just stolen off her.

It had no monitoring software, so it could get online freely.

That was the real reason I'd been willing to endure the humiliation.

As soon as the bodyguards hauled me back to the estate, I went live.

At the same time, the plane carrying Vito and Vera was about to take off.

One of his men spoke up beside him. "Boss, Vera's account just went live, but it's the Donna on camera."

Vito frowned and opened the livestream.

On the screen, I leaned against the railing with a glass of red wine in my hand, smiling like I didn't have a care in the world.

"I miss you. Hurry back and come find me."

His man was quick to flatter him. "Looks like you really know how to handle her, Boss. The Donna's finally learned to behave."

The corners of Vito's mouth lifted, and his eyes brightened, but he deliberately kept his expression stern.

"Don't think a little sweet talk is going to make me come back. The trip goes ahead as planned. Let her stew for a few days so she learns her lesson."

On the screen, I gazed tenderly into the camera and spoke slowly, making every word clear.

"Come back and find me, Luca Salerno. I'm your La Bella Pazza."

As long as I could get my voice out there online, Luca would find me.

He could track me like a great white shark scenting blood.

The smile vanished from Vito's face.

He ripped off his seat belt and shot to his feet.

A flight attendant hurried over. "We're about to take off, sir. Please return to your—"

Vito shoved her aside, his eyes fixed on the screen.

"I'm getting off this plane!" he barked.