Chapter 3

Isabella's POV:

I didn't sleep at all. I sat beside my suitcase the whole night, waiting for daylight.

Luca came in at dawn, dark circles under his eyes. "Thank God it's only a superficial wound. She couldn't have any anesthetic, so she cried herself hoarse while they stitched her up.

"Isabella, I've already explained everything. Why can't you understand? Why do you have to keep picking on Sofia? She was crying at the hospital last night, apologizing to you!"

I heard the blame in his voice and answered quietly. "I told you, it wasn't me. She staged the whole thing herself."

But Luca cut me off, impatient. "Enough. I saw it with my own eyes, and you're still lying!

"I don't want to argue with you, Isabella. Just promise me you'll let this go. For my sake, please. Put up with it a little longer, and I swear I'll clear your name when this is over."

I looked up at the man who had once looked at me with so much love. Now, all I saw in his eyes was impatience and exhaustion.

Sofia's words from the night before echoed in my mind, sending another stab of pain through my heart. I lowered my gaze, too tired to argue. "Fine. I understand... Let's go. I want to leave. Now."

Luca froze, as if he'd seen something in my eyes that hurt him. Then he pulled me into his arms and pressed a kiss to my forehead. His lips felt cold, the kiss barely there.

"Don't blame me, Isabella. I just panicked. When this is over, I'll bring you home with the grandest celebration you've ever seen. Trust me."

Without a word, I stood up and walked to the door. Luca hesitated, then grabbed my suitcase and followed me.

Then his phone rang.

Even from where I stood, I could hear Sofia screaming on the other end. "Luca! I'm so scared. Please come stay with me!"

Luca's face tightened with worry. He hung up and turned to me with that guilty look I was so sick of.

Just a minute ago, he'd been so caring, pulling my suitcase for me.

The handle hadn't even warmed from his touch before he put it back in my hand.

"Sofia had a nightmare. She thinks that man is coming to take her baby away. I have to go back and... check on her."

I looked at him and didn't say anything.

He stepped closer and reached for my face. "In a few days. I promise I'll come see you in a few days, Isa."

I forced a smile. "It's fine. I can go by myself."

Then, without waiting for him, I got into the back seat and shut the door.

The car pulled away. Through the window, I watched Luca grow smaller and smaller, and I made myself a silent promise.

From now on, I'll walk my own path.

Just last night, I'd called my parents.

First thing tomorrow, they'd fly in on a private jet to pick me up at the estate in Sicily.

I could respect Luca's decision.

For Sofia, he was willing to sacrifice me, our marriage, even our unborn child.

But I had every right to choose what was best for my baby and me instead of blindly accepting whatever Luca decided.

Then, suddenly, the brakes screamed.

I was thrown sideways, and my forehead slammed into the window.

The next second, the front of the car smashed straight into the guardrail!

"Bob! What's going on?"

I struggled upright and reached forward to shake Bob, only to find a fresh bullet wound in his forehead.

I stared at the windshield, its glass shattered into a spiderweb of cracks, and sucked in a sharp breath.

Shaking, I fumbled for my phone and called Luca. "Luca—"

"Isabella, what do you want with Luca?"

It was Sofia. "Luca just got back. He's exhausted, and he's already asleep.

"What, calling to see if you can win him back? Too bad. He doesn't have time for you anymore. Poor little ex-wife."

She hung up on me. I stared at my phone, sinking into despair.

I looked up. The barrel of a gun slid through the open window.

Cold steel dug into my temple, colder than the frost on a winter morning.