Chapter 5

"Dante, you have to believe me. I didn't mean to. I promised I'd accept her. But she mailed those intimate photos to the Ambrosi estate and shoved her pregnancy test in my face. I just snapped."

She was twisting everything.

One quick look would prove her story made no sense.

But Dante would never look.

"I know," he said.

In the hospital bed, I clenched the sheets.

'It's okay,' I told myself. 'The baby's gone. I'm free now.'

But Wanda wasn't done with me.

She tugged Dante's arm and looked up at him.

"Dante, she'll try something else next time. I'm scared she'll keep clinging to you."

Then she added, "Just like her mother."

Dante's face went hard.

Wanda bit her lip, seeing her chance.

"Why don't we make sure Alessa can't have kids? Then she can't use another baby to trap you."

"In your dreams." I pushed myself up.

My reaction only made Wanda madder.

"Dante, look at her. She doesn't regret anything. You can't go easy on her."

Dante stared at me.

His fist slowly loosened at his side.

"Do whatever you want."

Triumph flashed in Wanda's eyes.

She turned to the door.

"Come in."

Two huge guards walked straight to my bed.

"Hold her down. Sedate her. Once she's out, take her into surgery."

They grabbed my shoulders and arms from both sides.

I fought with everything I had, but I was too weak.

Seconds later, they had me pinned to the mattress.

"Let me go! Let me go!"

I screamed at Dante, begging him with my eyes.

He only frowned.

Then looked away.

A doctor came in with a syringe.

The cold needle flashed under the lights.

As it moved closer, every survival instinct in me snapped awake.

I had no idea where the strength came from.

I shoved the guards off and bolted.

Pain tore through me as I stumbled into the hall.

Wanda screamed, "Stop her! Don't let her get away!"

The guards chased after me.

I ran with everything I had.

Every step was agony.

But I didn't stop.

I tore down the long hospital hallway, dodging doctors, nurses, and patients, heading straight for the stairwell.

The footsteps behind me got closer.

The pain in my stomach sharpened.

Blood slid from the cut on my forehead as I ran.

I grabbed the cold handrail and forced myself up, one step at a time.

At last, running on nothing, I reached the roof and stumbled onto the helipad.

That was when Dante caught up.

Panic filled his face.

"Alessa! Come back!"

Too late.

I didn't look back.

And I didn't jump like everyone behind me expected.

I ran straight ahead and climbed into the helicopter waiting for me.