Chapter 3

I hurried out of the club and drove to my best friend's place to pick up my son, Elio Lombardo.

My husband, Luca Lombardo, and I had unusual and demanding jobs. We were constantly busy and rarely had time to look after Elio, so we had asked my best friend to take care of him.

When I got there, Elio quietly curled up in my arms as I carried him home.

I called Luca, keeping my unease to myself as I spoke in a low voice. "I ran into Alessio today. He knows I'm married now. You know what he's like. I'm scared he might do something reckless."

"Don't be afraid," Luca said gently. "Just keep yourself and Elio safe. He'll be caught soon."

"Okay. You stay safe, too."

His words eased some of the tension in my chest. I hung up and gently pulled Elio's coat closer around him. The next second, several black cars silently pulled up along the roadside.

That familiar, suffocating sense of danger swept over me. My eyes widened, and every muscle in my body tensed. It was Alessio.

He was leaning against the hood, staring intently at the child in my arms. Two of his men stood beside him, their intimidating presence cutting off every possible escape route.

My heart sank as I sensed the danger. I turned and bolted, but it was too late.

I had barely taken two steps when someone seized my arm and wrenched it behind me. At the same time, another man ripped Elio from my arms.

"Let me go! Give me my child!"

Blood rushed to my head as I struggled like a madwoman. The sudden struggle terrified Elio. His soft, desperate cries tore through me, making my heart ache with every sob.

Alessio straightened and slowly walked toward me. "For three years, you disappeared without a trace. I searched every corner of both the legitimate and underground worlds. There isn't a single record of you getting married.

"You were so determined to divorce me back then. Turns out, you were secretly hiding away to give birth to my child. Then you suddenly showed up in public with a new identity.

"Were you planning to use the child to get leverage over me? You really have been scheming all along."

I glared at him furiously. "You're delusional! I would never have your child. This is my husband's child. Do you really think that being the Don means you can do whatever you want?

"My husband's position is far beyond anything you could uncover. Now give me back my child. You can't afford the consequences if you don't."

Unfortunately, my anger only earned me his mocking laughter.

In Alessio's mind, he controlled both the legitimate and underground worlds across the entire region. He believed that there was nothing beyond his reach.

"We don't need to take your word for it," he said.

He casually tilted his head and gave one of his men a look. The man immediately understood. Still holding my sobbing son, he took him away for a paternity test.

"Don't touch my child!" I struggled with all my strength until a vicious red mark circled my wrist. "If anything happens to my son, my husband will make you lose everything!"

My warning only made the possessiveness in Alessio's eyes grow stronger. He reached out and gripped my chin, his hand cold and forceful.

"I can't wait to see what kind of untouchable big shot thinks he can threaten me. This child is getting tested today, no matter what. I will never let my child be left outside somewhere."

Alessio forced me into the car and took away every electronic device I had. I collapsed against the seat, cold from head to toe.

He was a despicable man. Once, he had used Dad to keep me under his thumb. Now, he was using Elio against me.

At this point, I dared not make a reckless move. I was terrified he would hurt Elio, and despair slowly spread through me.

Watching me fall apart, Alessio sounded somewhat satisfied. "Until the results come back, you're staying by my side."