Chapter 3

I pulled the divorce agreement and the defendant's affidavit of consent from the stack of documents.

Then, I gritted my teeth and struggled to make my way down the stairs.

Blood trickled from between my legs and soaked the hem of my dress, leaving a bloody trail on the floor.

Just as I lost consciousness, I thought I saw one of the maids running toward me in a panic.

When I woke up again, I realized that I was at the hospital. The dilapidated hospital equipment and grimy surroundings immediately told me that this was not the Famiglia's private hospital.

The maid, Alma Romani, explained, "Donna, Don Alfonso took all the private doctors to the remote outpost, so I had no choice but to bring you to this community hospital."

I thanked her for her help.

A doctor walked in just then, looking stern as he firmly chided, "Didn't your previous doctor warn you? You suffered a gunshot wound years ago that left your body frail and weak.

"You need rest and a calm state of mind during your pregnancy. You can't afford to experience any shock or stress. If this happens again, the baby might not survive."

My face was so extremely pale that the doctor couldn't bear to continue chiding me anymore. He softened his tone and said, "Your baby needs a safe and peaceful environment to grow up healthy."

The doctor's words kept replaying in my mind even after I was discharged.

I knew clearly that I had to speed up my plans to leave for the sake of my child.

I submitted the divorce papers and affidavit before heading home.

However, when I arrived at home, I saw that Alfonso's bodyguards were already stationed at the door.

I was surprised. This was highly unusual.

Normally, whenever he went to look at Bianca, he would stay away for a few days before returning home. But this time, he was barely gone for half a day.

I pushed the door open in confusion. But soon, I quickly understood why.

Alfonso was sitting on the leather couch in the living room with Bianca cowering pitifully in his arms. She was wearing a white dress exactly the same as mine.

She lifted her pitiful face and looked at me, carefully asking Alfonso, "Don, do you think that Donna will not like it if you brought me home like this?

"I don't want you to be troubled because of me. Maybe you should send me back to the outpost instead."

Bianca was always like this.

She would always subtly cast me as a madwoman who cared nothing for Alfonso's dignity with her fragile appearance and feigned vulnerability.

And Alfonso, who was usually calm, wise, and composed, completely lost his judgment right after she saved his life. It wouldn't be the first time he chose to believe her instead of me.

I shut the door quietly behind me. However, it still drew their attention at once.

Alfonso casually released his arm from around Bianca's waist, showing no shame for his behavior.

Meanwhile, Bianca shrank back physically but met my gaze with a look of defiance.

I pretended not to see them and headed straight for the stairs. I wanted to pack up my suitcase and other documents. I didn't have time to play the part of the villainess in their melodrama.

Yet, my indifference made Alfonso extremely dissatisfied.

He called out to me, stopping me in my tracks. His voice was tinged with suppressed fury.

"Bianca was feeling unwell. I brought her back to receive proper treatment. There's no point in you getting jealous of her like this."

I looked back at him calmly without a hint of care or concern on my face.

"Of course. She's absolutely welcome to stay. Shall I get the maids to prepare a room for her?"

Alfonso and Bianca were stunned. They were highly suspicious of my behavior.

But since they didn't say a thing, I assumed that there wasn't a need for the extra room, so I continued walking up the stairs without glancing to the side.

I then got out my suitcase and began to pack.