Chapter 5

My breath caught, and all my strength drained away in an instant.

I couldn't believe my ears. He was actually using my mother's life to force me into submission, all for Ambra, simply because he thought he held my financial lifeline.

I bit my lower lip hard, glaring at him silently without saying a word.

Edoardo's face darkened completely. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and gave a cold command to the guards behind him.

"Notify the hospital to downgrade her mother's care and treatment priority. Also, starting today, all future medical expenses will be her sole responsibility."

My voice trembled, tears swimming in my eyes.

"Edoardo... do you really have to do this?"

A flicker of extremely complex emotion flashed across Edoardo's gaze, followed by a heavy sigh.

"You forced my hand, Valentina."

His tone was calm, yet it pierced through my heart like a dull knife.

"Ambra hasn't been feeling well lately, so I'm taking her to Switzerland for a few days. Use this time to cool off."

He paused, adding with a tone of grand condescension, "Next Saturday, the wedding goes on as planned. I'll pick you up then."

"Let's go," he whispered gently to Ambra, shielding her as they turned and walked away.

I stood there, watching their retreating figures walking side by side. I pulled back a faint, bitter smile, forcing the tears back into my eyes.

"There's not going to be any wedding for you," I murmured. "And I won't be showing up in your lives ever again."

The glaring red light over the emergency room burned for hours, finally shutting off at midnight. The heavy weight on my chest from the past night finally lifted.

I sat by my mother's bedside, holding her cold hand, staying guard until daylight broke.

When morning came, she finally opened her eyes.

"Val... Ambra said you two broke up... Is it true?"

I tucked her blanket in and squeezed her hand.

"Mamma, I'm so sorry you had to go through this. We really are done."

"Well, maybe it's for the best. He isn't worth keeping..." My mother sighed softly. "But Val, I'm worried about you. What are you going to do now?"

"I'm not marrying him, but the wedding isn't canceled," I said. "Do you remember Leonardo?"

My mother's eyes widened in shock. "You mean... the underboss of the Rizzo family? That man's adopted heir?"

I nodded. "Mamma, I've made up my mind. I'm going to marry him. And I want to go find Papa, with you."

There were things I had never told Edoardo or Ambra, like my father's true identity.

Over the years, he had sent me countless letters, none of which I ever answered. After all, he was the one who hurt my mother, leaving her pregnant and alone to raise me.

Until two years ago, when my mother's condition suddenly took a turn for the worse.

That night, even the specialists at the care center were at their wits' end. Edoardo wasn't around, and I was nearly out of my mind with panic.

Out of nowhere, one of the world's top cardiac specialists flew in overnight from Rome, saving my mother just in time.

After the surgery, I held his hands in tears, thanking him over and over.

"Don't thank me, signorina. Your father arranged all of this. He has always cared deeply about you and your mother," he said softly.

I froze, then let out a cold laugh. "Now he remembers how to be a father?"

"That's not it. It was your mother who refused to see him all these years." He sighed. "He never married. He's been waiting for you two. He's getting old, his health isn't what it used to be, and he just wants to see you both while he still can."

If I could forgive Edoardo time and time again, why couldn't I give the father who had waited for us for so many years a chance?

Instinct told me there might have been a misunderstanding back then. Maybe he wasn't a bad man after all. I just didn't know if my mother could accept it.

When I laid everything out for my mother, she fell silent for a long moment. I knew she still held feelings for my father; otherwise, she wouldn't have stayed single all these years, never dating anyone.

"If you feel it's the right thing to do, I'll support you," she said suddenly, reaching up to stroke my hair.

"As long as you're happy, I'm willing to go with you. No matter what happens, you still have me."

My nose stung. I lowered my head, clutching her hand tight.

"Thank you, Mamma."

Meanwhile, Edoardo took Ambra to his family's private estate in Switzerland. From time to time, Ambra would deliberately send me photos.

In every picture, she was smiling radiantly, while Edoardo looked at her with doting eyes.

Yet Edoardo didn't forget to text me every single day.

He asked if my anger had faded, promising to make it up to me once he got back, telling me not to let a few arguments ruin our wedding.

He mentioned how beautiful the estate grounds were, saying he'd bring me here for a few days after the wedding was over.

His final text arrived just as I reached the airport terminal.

"I can't wait to slip that ring onto your finger. See you at the wedding tomorrow."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" Mamma stroked my head.

"Nothing, Mamma. It's time. Let's go."

I switched off my phone and took her arm, helping her board our flight to Sicily.

Edoardo, I also can't wait for the wedding tomorrow.