My Husband's Stand‑in Awoke the Monster in Me

After Giordano Pellegrini got into the car with our son, Fabiano Pellegrini, he didn't drive off immediately. It wasn't until a truck carrying 10,000 roses arrived that Giordano finally left.

But he didn't head for the ferry dock. Instead, he drove straight back home.

The villa was brightly lit, and the front garden was packed with people. I felt a pang of confusion. Were they planning a surprise for me? But when I reached the main hall, I saw Giordano holding a woman dressed in a white gown.

Even Fabiano, who had never been close to me, was smiling brightly as he called her "Mom".

The woman was none other than Carina Perrotta, the university student I had personally rescued from the mountains. She had nowhere else to go, so I had brought her into the Pellegrini household, given her a job, and let her live and eat under my roof. But recently, she had suddenly vanished without a trace.

I had searched all over the Costa Solara for her, yet she seemed to have disappeared completely. And now, she was here, entangled with Giordano. As they appeared, the crowd murmured in admiration.

"I've long heard that Mrs. Pellegrini is virtuous. She not only supports Mr. Pellegrini in business but also keeps the family in perfect order."

"This is the first time Mr. Pellegrini has brought Mrs. Pellegrini out with Fabiano. I would keep a woman like her to myself if I were him."

"Mr. Pellegrini is truly lucky."

At the center of the crowd, Giordano held Carina close at the waist, drinking in their praise.

"Of course, having Carina by my side is a blessing I've earned over ten lifetimes. Now that she is expecting, I look forward to everyone celebrating with us and sharing in my son's joy."

Carina stared at him, touched to the core. However, I felt a chill crawl through my veins.

I couldn't hold back any longer and charged forward. Fabiano's eyes widened in fear as he bolted behind Giordano.

"Why are you here?" he stammered.

I let out a cold laugh. "What, can't I be here? Am I ruining your little party?"

Giordano's gaze betrayed a hint of guilt. Just as he was about to speak, Carina stepped in front of him, looking at me with tears in her eyes.

"Arianna, if you have something to say, say it to me. Don't make things hard for them."

I sneered and slapped her across the face. "Who do you think you are? You don't get to call me by my name. I took you in, not so you could come out here and play the homewrecker!"

The crowd below drew in a sharp breath, staring at me with a mix of shock and sympathy.

"Who in their right mind would hit Mrs. Pellegrini? Don't they know what Mr. Pellegrini can do?"

"A while back, a low-ranking man insulted her and was sent to the Dark Zone. He was tortured for three days and nights, and not long after, he went insane and ended his own life."

"She must have a death wish to lay a hand on the pregnant Mrs. Pellegrini!"

I ignored their taunts and turned my gaze to Giordano. "Do you also think I shouldn't have hit her?"

Giordano grabbed my hand, frowning deeply as he looked at me.

Before he could say a word, Fabiano lunged forward and shoved me. "Get out! You're not welcome here! Don't come near our family!"