Chapter 3

Camilla cried out in surprise, glancing at the baby beside her. "Dr. Bianchi? What are you doing here?"

I instinctively moved to block Lucas from her view.

"I..."

"He's the son of a distant relative," Enzo cut in before I could speak. "She's just watching him for a few days."

My fingers tightened on the handle of my suitcase, my knuckles turning white.

I had endured being hidden away for seven years.

But every time he erased our existence so cleanly, it still felt like a scalpel to the heart.

I was about to speak, but Lucas beat me to it. "Good morning, Don Gallo."

His small voice was cold and distant.

I glanced down and saw the telltale redness in my son's eyes.

My poor Lucas. I could see the effort it took for him to hold back his tears.

"Mamma, let's go."

My throat felt tight, as if it were stuffed with cotton. All my sorrow melted into a forced smile. "Okay."

As we walked past, Enzo grabbed my wrist.

He stared at me, the panic in his eyes now undeniable. "What... what did he call me?"

I shook his hand off. "Isn't that what you've always wanted, Don Gallo?"

For seven years, for the sake of "family security," Enzo had never allowed Lucas to call him Papa in front of anyone.

The only difference was that before, he had forced our son to be silent. This time, Lucas was severing the tie himself.

I tried to pull free, but he only gripped me tighter.

Enzo lowered his voice, his tone softening slightly. "Aurora, don't be like this. Just give me a few more months."

"Once Camilla's child is older and my position in the family is secure, I will explain everything to Lucas."

I reminded him, "Camilla is waiting for you. Let go."

Enzo seemed to finally remember the other woman was there, and his fingers reluctantly loosened their grip.

I scoffed and took Lucas's hand, ready to leave.

"Wait."

Enzo suddenly called out again. He turned and retrieved a lavishly wrapped velvet box from the back seat.

"Lucas," he said. "Happy birthday."

It was a box of artisanal hazelnut chocolates from Turin.

Camilla chose that moment to step forward and link her arm with Enzo's, her tone dismissive.

"Enzo, aren't those what you bought to celebrate the baby's arrival? Since your cousin's child is having a birthday, you might as well give it to him. Let him share in the heir's good fortune."

"You should be grateful, Dr. Bianchi."

The gift box felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

I was about to throw it back at them when I saw a flicker of hope in Lucas's eyes.

My heart softened, and I hesitated.

My son didn't understand the cruel games adults played. He just looked up at Enzo and asked,

"Can you eat it with me?"

Enzo hesitated for only a second, glancing at Camilla and the baby in the carrier before he nodded.

"Of course."

Lucas cheered and eagerly reached for the ribbon.

My eyes scanned the ingredients on the box, and the color drained from my face.

"Stop! Don't eat that!"

My hand shot out, knocking the expensive box of chocolates to the ground.

The exquisite chocolates scattered in the dust.

Enzo's face darkened instantly. "Aurora! Are you insane?"

I looked up, my eyes red, my voice trembling.

"Lucas has a severe nut allergy. One bite could kill him. You didn't know that?"

Enzo froze, panic washing over his face.

"Sorry. I forgot."

Another "sorry." I was so tired of that word.

My son stared at the dusty chocolates on the ground, the light in his eyes completely extinguished.

He tugged on my sleeve, his voice heartbreakingly calm.

"It's okay, Mamma."

"It's okay that Don Gallo didn't know. After all, it was for his wife, and.. the new baby."

With that, he buried his face in my coat and refused to look at the man again.

I couldn't stand it a second longer. I scooped up my son and strode toward the waiting car.

Even after the car door closed, I could see Enzo in the rearview mirror, still standing there, his expression a mixture of guilt and confusion.

But this time, neither my son nor I would be looking back.

After leaving the estate, I went directly to a private airport. I had wanted a dignified farewell, but now I saw there was no need.

The resignation letter he had signed was already on his desk.

I took out my phone and, with a few decisive taps, blocked his number.

Before we boarded the plane, I stroked my son's hair.

"Mamma is taking you somewhere very far away. Will you be angry?"

Lucas shook his head, his small hand clutching my fingers tightly.

"As long as I'm with Mamma, I'll go anywhere."

Tears streamed down my face, but as I watched the city skyline shrink below, seven years of humiliation and pain finally dissolved into nothing.

Goodbye, Enzo.

The next day, Enzo walked into his office, on edge.

The scene from yesterday had been a thorn in his side, keeping him up all night.

Just as he sat down, the family Consigliere knocked and entered, a strange look on his face.

"Don, I believe you signed this before."

He placed a single sheet of paper on the polished desk. "I thought you should see it immediately."

At the top of the page, in crisp, formal type, were two words:

The subject line read: [Resignation Letter: Dr. Aurora Bianchi]