Chapter 7

"I didn't do it," I said, my voice weak. "Alessio, I swear I didn't."

"Then who did?" he sneered. "Did the chandelier just decide to fall on its own?"

"I don't know," I whispered, tears blurring my vision. "But it wasn't me."

"Thea, you've tried to frame Aurelia again and again," his voice was full of disgust. "First the baby's rattle, then the scratches at the hospital, and now this."

"I didn't!" I struggled to sit up. "Alessio, why won't you believe me?"

"Because all the evidence points to you," he said, turning his back on me. "Every time something happens to Aurelia, you're the only one there."

I stared at his back, numb.

"Then let's end this," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "I'll get out of your way. You can have your perfect family."

BANG!

Alessio spun around and slammed his fist on the bedside table. A glass of whiskey shattered, amber liquid splashing everywhere.

"Don't you dare say that," he roared, his eyes blazing. "I love you! It has only ever been you!"

"But you don't trust me—"

"Shut up!" he shouted, rushing over and pulling me into a brutal hug. "This conversation is over."

"Alessio, let me go."

"Never," he growled, his arms crushing me. "Thea, you're not going anywhere."

I couldn't fight him. I just let the tears fall.

"But..." he said, loosening his grip, his gaze flickering away. "There's... a complication."

"What?"

"Aurelia is demanding a wedding," he said, his gaze dropping to the floor. "To announce the alliance between the Santoro and Rossi families to the world."

The words hit me like a physical blow.

"A wedding?"

"It's just for show," he explained quickly. "Just to put the other families at ease. After the wedding, Aurelia will take the kids and leave. And then we can finally go."

I was silent for a long time.

"Thea, say something."

"I understand," I said, closing my eyes. "When is it?"

"Next week."

After I was discharged, Alessio was a different man. He took care of me constantly. He cooked for me, watched movies with me, just like he used to.

But I knew it was all a performance.

My phone was gone. And there were guards posted outside my door 24/7.

I was a prisoner in my own home.

"Thea, what do you want for dinner?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed, gently stroking my hair.

"Whatever."

"I'll make you some pasta."

After he left, I went to the walk-in closet.

It was filled with expensive dresses, lavish jewelry, all gifts from him.

Looking at them now made me sick.

I packed everything into boxes and wrote a simple note: For those in need.

Then I called a charity to come pick it all up.

The next day, when the truck came and emptied the closet, Alessio's face was a thundercloud.

"Thea, why did you give it all away?"

"I have no use for them," I said, my voice flat. "A woman accused of attempted murder doesn't need pretty dresses."

"Thea—"

"When does the wedding start?" I cut him off. "I need to get ready."

He just stared at me.

On the morning of the wedding, my phone was returned to me.

It was filled with texts from Aurelia.

The first photo: Her in a stunning white wedding gown, smiling brightly.

The second: Her and Alessio, kissing deeply.

The third: A close-up of a massive diamond ring on her finger.

The final message was just a few words: Thanks for making this all possible.

I deleted everything and turned the phone off.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Carmela entered, holding an envelope.

"Thea. It's time."

She handed it to me. Inside was a one-way ticket to Switzerland and a complete set of new identity documents.

"A new passport, new ID, and a bank card," she said coldly. "There's five million dollars on it. Enough for you to live comfortably."

I took the envelope without a word.

"The car is waiting downstairs," she said, checking her watch. "It leaves in ten minutes."

I nodded and picked up the small suitcase I'd already packed. It held only a few simple clothes and necessities.

Everything else was in the past.

As I walked out of the room, I could hear music from the living room. They were testing the sound system for the ceremony.

I didn't look back. I just walked, step by step, toward the front door.

The driver held the door. "One last look, miss?"

"No," I said, getting in without a glance back. "Drive."

The car pulled away from the curb.

In the rearview mirror, the Santoro estate grew smaller and smaller.

It was a place I once thought was my home. Now, it was just the prison I had finally escaped.

I leaned my head against the cold glass and whispered a final vow to the passing city lights. "To separate lives. And may we never meet again."