Chapter 3

Damien strode inside the hospital room and found Chloe lying on the floor. His face darkened as he yanked her to her feet and shoved her toward the door.

"Enough with the act. Get out!" he snapped.

She stumbled from the push, then laughed defiantly.

"Do you really think you can protect her forever?"

Damien slammed the door shut, and silence reclaimed the hospital room. He sat on the edge of my bed, gently stroking the back of my hand.

"Get some rest. I'll send you abroad to recuperate," he said.

I shook my head and replied weakly, "No need. I want to leave."

I didn't say it aloud, but I wanted to leave him and this world. Just one more day, and I would be free.

He suddenly pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly it felt like he wanted to fuse me into himself.

"Don't say that. Evelyn, please…"

On the last day before I planned to die, Ricky's funeral was finally arranged. The service was held in a small chapel, and I was the only one there to mourn him.

In the adjacent hall, Damien and Chloe were exchanging vows. Hearing the wedding music and their promises to each other created a bitter contrast that deepened the grief in my heart.

Ricky was so young, and he should have had a full life ahead of him. After the funeral, I was ready to go home and end my life. As I passed by the wedding reception, Damien's Consigliere, drunk and reeking of alcohol, blocked my way.

He had always liked me, but he had never dared make a move. Now, emboldened by alcohol, he found the courage.

"Such a beauty," he slurred. "I wonder if I might have the honor…"

His hand reached out to grasp my waist.

I froze and instinctively stepped back. I looked at Damien, who was standing not far away. He was looking right at me, and I could feel the murderous intent rolling off him in waves.

Chloe, standing beside him, feigned concern.

"Damien, your sweetheart is being harassed," she said.

After a quick look at Corleone, he turned around and smiled faintly.

"She's nobody," he said, his voice clear enough for those nearby to hear.

He added, "If you're interested, I can have her sent to your room after the reception."

Chloe snuggled up to Damien, laughing with delight as if watching a spectacle.

The Consigliere, sobered by fear, quickly fell silent.

Seeing that Damien wouldn't defend me and was instead handing me over to someone else, I furiously grabbed the Consigliere's arm. Under the astonished gazes of the guests, I pulled him away with me.

Damien stormed down from the ceremonial platform and grabbed my wrist with brutal force. Fury and pain churned in his eyes as he hissed in my ear, "Don't you see I'm putting on a show? Don Corleone is sitting right there."

He continued, "Is your sickly brother all you ever think about? You scheduled his funeral on my wedding day? Did you ever care for me at all?"

"There's a blood feud between our families, right?" I answered.

My calm detachment only made him angrier.

He snarled, his words harsh and unfiltered.

"Yes. Your father killed my elder brother. If my brother were alive, it would be you standing beside me at that altar."

I held back my tears and tried to leave, but Damien ordered his men, "Lock her up. Let her reflect on her actions."

I was dragged back and locked in my room. Tears streamed down my face as I pulled a red dress from the bottom of my closet. I lit the charcoal brazier and closed the windows and door.

I muttered to myself, "Mom, Dad, Ricky, and my two unborn children… I'm coming to join you."

As soon as the wedding banquet ended, Damien hurried home without a moment to spare. Noticing that I had shut myself in, he wanted to explain what he had said earlier.

However, no matter how hard he knocked, I didn't open it. Finally, I heard him order his men to break it down. The moment the door swung open, he saw something he never wanted to see in his life.