Chapter 1

The basement that reeked with the stench of blood was finally opened just as I was about to lose consciousness.

Ignazio Corelli scooped me up into his arms and held me tightly like he felt immensely sorry for me.

He said, "Carlotta, you almost caused the famiglia's counterintelligence plan to fail. I had to punish you harshly to give the members an explanation. You know you're the one I love the most. Once I successfully use Chiara to carry out the plan, we'll be able to go back to how things were before."

The so-called counterintelligence plan he was carrying out through Chiara Linetti was simply getting her pregnant with his child again. He justified it with the noble-sounding excuse that it was the only way to have a hold over her and to keep his enemies in the dark.

I watched him put on his act of deep affection with frosty eyes, feeling nothing but desolation in my heart.

"But Ignazio, we can never go back to the way things were. And there will never be a future for us either," I lamented inwardly.

He would never ever know that he had another child—a son that belonged to both of us.

On the first day Ignazio became the Don, he witnessed one of his Made Men's children being taken hostage by enemies. Driven by maternal instinct, the man's wife died from taking a hail of bullets while trying to protect her child.

From that day onward, he often spoke to me with lingering fear of that incident. "Carlotta, let's not have children in the future. I don't want a child to become your weakness, and I can't bear the cost of losing you."

I agreed readily.

But every time I saw him gazing at other people's children with a twinkle in his eyes, I wanted to give him a secret surprise.

One year, Ignazio went to Ereysia on a mission and told me to stay somewhere safe for a year. It was during that time that I discovered I was pregnant with his child. I was afraid he would worry, so I never told him about it.

In fact, I kept mum even after our baby, Antonio Corelli, was born.

As Antonio had been born prematurely and was physically weak, I arranged for him to stay in the hospital. It was also during this time that Ignazio brought Chiara back.

Before I could give him my surprise, he gave me a much bigger one instead.

My phone vibrated, pulling me back from my thoughts.

The message that just came in read, "I have expedited the mandatory divorce procedures. In one week, you and the child will be sent away once everything is finalized."

One corner of my lips curled into a half smile. Well, this was nice. In one week, Ignazio and I would no longer have anything to do with each other.

After that, Ignazio began shuttling between Chiara and me.

Afraid that I would be upset, he had truckloads of gifts delivered to me. He sent me the latest jewelry and limited-edition handbags… These were all things I had once loved.

Ignazio said, "Carlotta, trust me. We'll be back to how things used to be very soon. I love you."

I had lost count of how many times he had kneeled before me, explaining his love and his helplessness.

The whole situation was so laughable. He spent every night sleeping next to Chiara, yet he was terrified that I might feel hurt.

Four days before the divorce agreement took effect, Chiara suddenly appeared before me carrying a huge bouquet of sunflowers. I wasn't sure if she'd done it on purpose.

As a result, my pollen allergy flared up severely, and I was rushed to the hospital.

When Ignazio learned about it, he reprimanded Chiara harshly. "If it happens again, get the hell out!"

Chiara apologized with reddened eyes. Then, she covered her face and ran out.

That very night, she disappeared.

Ignazio spent the entire night searching for her before finally finding her. When they found her, her body was covered in allergic rashes.

She lowered her eyes and did not dare look at me.

In a timid voice, she said, "I deserved this punishment. After all, I was careless and caused Ms. Zucco's allergic reaction."

I was confused as to why she would say that, but Ignazio shot me a meaningful look.

It wasn't until I overheard his private conversation with the doctor that I finally understood what that look meant.

He instructed, "Add some of Carlotta's allergen to her IV drip. Leave her untreated for the night before giving her treatment."