Chapter 4

I returned to the hospital. I couldn't afford to delay the surgery any longer, so I took out every single one of my cards from my bag and maxed out every personal credit card I owned, just to scrape together enough for the hospital fees.

My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I signed the payment slip.

When I was discharged after the surgery, Marco came to pick me up at the hospital. There was a weary look on his face.

"I thought the doctor was exaggerating. I didn't know that it was that serious. Let's go."

He didn't offer any further excuses and got down on his knees to tie up my shoelaces before lifting me into the car.

He draped his coat over my shoulders and supported me by the waist, letting go only after I'd managed to catch my breath.

When I got home, Bruno was wagging his tail, waiting for me. I petted him and said, "I'll leave with you today."

Claudia was brushing Sofia's hair in the living room when I arrived. Sofia leaned happily into her touch, even calling her "Mommy" without any regard for me.

Lucia glanced at me and said, "Claudia was the one keeping Sofia company while you were in the hospital. She even stayed with her at night. Don't you dare give Claudia an attitude again."

Sofia tugged on Claudia's sleeve and said, "Mommy, I still want you to sleep with me tonight." She didn't even spare me a glance.

Claudia just smiled at me and said, "Sofia has been sticking to me lately, so I stayed over for a couple of days."

As she raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind Sofia's ear, an old gold signet ring caught my eye.

It was the coming-of-age gift that Papa had given to me. The family crest on the face of the ring was the one that I'd seen countless times in the wax seals on Papa's letters.

I stared at Claudia's hand. "Where did you get that ring?"

Lucia answered for her. "I gave it to her."

I turned to Lucia. "You went through my jewelry box?"

"It had been sitting there for years. It's not like you wear it very often anyway. But it matches Claudia's style perfectly. It was the right gift for her."

I said, "My Papa left that ring for me. Take it off and give it back now."

Claudia looked down and touched the face of the ring. "I didn't know that you cared so much about the ring, Erina. But Lucia gave it to me. It would be rude of me to refuse it or return it to you like this."

I held out my hand toward her. "You will return it to me now."

Sofia hugged Claudia's arm and yelled at me, "Grandma already gave the ring to her! Why are you still trying to take it away?"

Marco stepped in front of me and said, "It's just an old ring. Must you embarrass Mom over it like this?"

"It belongs to me," I said firmly.

"We haven't even divorced yet, and you're already drawing such a hard line between what's mine and yours?" Marco asked.

I looked at him. "When you used my money to throw her the grand opening reception, did you remember that we were still married?"

Marco's face turned dark. "That's enough. You just got discharged from the hospital, and I don't want to argue with you right now."

Claudia's eyes turned red. "I only wanted to wear it while taking promotional photos for my studio. But if you hate the idea of it, then I'll just return it to you, if you insist."

I withdrew my hand. "This is not a ring that just anyone can wear. Are you sure you want to keep it?"

Marco sneered. "What? What's going to happen if she actually did wear it?"

I shrugged and looked at Claudia. "Since you're so adamant about it, then go ahead and keep wearing it. But just be prepared for the consequences."

I went upstairs to get my passport and pack the rest of my clothes in my suitcase.

When I came back down, Marco had a bowl of hot stew waiting for me on the dining table. He said, "You can't even lift a suitcase now. Who's going to take care of you if you leave? Sit down and eat something first."

I picked up the spoon. Sofia sat next to Claudia, still happily calling her "Mommy" and begging her to sleep with her that night as well.

I finished my stew and set down the spoon.

My suitcase was already at the door. I went to the backyard to call for Bruno, but all I saw was just his dog bed. His bowls were still there, with a fallen leaf floating in the water.

I called him again, but there was still no sound from him.

"Where's Bruno?"

Lucia came out from the kitchen and said, "He's at the animal shelter."

I held myself against the door and turned to look at her.

"What? When? Who did it?"

"Just now. We'd been wanting to get rid of him for a long time. You can't even take care of yourself now. Who else is expected to take care of that old dog?"

Claudia came up to us and sighed softly. "Erina, you just had a major surgery. You need to rest. This works out better for both of you now that the old dog's gone."

Marco also took her side. "There'll be people at the shelter taking care of him and finding a new owner for him."

"I clearly said that I was taking him with me," I said.

"I know."

"Then why did you still send Bruno away?"

Marco looked at me, his face now devoid of the gentleness from earlier. "Well, did you ask me for permission when you filed for divorce? All I did was send your dog away, and you're saying that I should have asked you for permission first?"

I gripped the door handle tightly. "Give me the address."

He didn't budge. "Withdraw your divorce petition, and then we'll talk."

Sofia grabbed the hem of his shirt and said, "Mommy doesn't like the dog either. Erina, you're not allowed to bring the dog back again!"

Marco patted her head and said to me, "You hear that? Nobody in the house likes that old dog. Are you going to destroy this household for the sake of that animal?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

When Papa sent Bruno to me, I had hugged Bruno tightly and cried for a very long time.

Marco was still waiting for me to give in. I just stared at him and decided not to bother with my words anymore. I had given him 12 years, and that was more than enough. It was all ending now, today.

I turned to take my suitcase. However, my phone rang at that moment. Danilo's name was displayed on the screen.

Back then, I had left my Famiglia just to marry Marco and move here with him, refusing to go home for 12 years. But now, it was time for me to take back my last name, Vitale, and return as the Principessa of the Vitale Famiglia.

I answered the call. "Dan."

"Erina? I've arrived in Bostonia with my team. Just wait for me a little while longer. I'm coming to take you home."