Chapter 3

I'd taken the painkillers on an empty stomach. Less than ten minutes later, my stomach was churning again.

I ran into the bathroom and threw up, clinging to the sink and shaking all over.

A car took me to the private hospital the family always used. When I got there, a line of Rinaldi family cars was parked outside.

It wasn't until someone helped me into the lobby that I found out Bianca was there, too.

Matteo had locked down the private ward on the top floor and brought in the best orthopedic specialists to examine her. Meanwhile, the driver had simply dropped me off at the ER downstairs.

The doctor did a neurological exam, confirmed nothing more serious was wrong, and sent me with a nurse to get an IV.

Night had already fallen. In the window, my reflection looked haggard and pale.

The nurse taped the needle down with practiced ease.

"The pills you just took can make you very drowsy. Someone needs to stay with you while you're on this IV. Call your family. It's too dangerous to be alone."

"Matteo, my fiancé, is up in your private ward on the top floor."

I replied weakly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh my God... You mean the mafia—"

The nurse clapped a hand over her mouth, but I still caught the shock that flashed across her face.

Right. Anyone would find this strange.

The fiancée of the Rinaldi family's Don, in a state like this, dropped off at the hospital without so much as a bodyguard.

Meanwhile, the Don himself was right there in the building, yet he still hadn't shown his face.

The nurse hurried off, but when she returned, only Dario Conti, the head of security, came with her.

"Ms. Caruso, the Don knows you're here," Dario said respectfully. "He told me to stay with you. If you need anything at all, just say the word."

I looked at him and said nothing for a moment.

"Why isn't the Don coming?"

"Ms. Russo is having some tests done. The Don says he can't get away."

He was willing to abandon a room full of guests for Bianca. Of course he could leave me behind for her too.

He knew perfectly well I was in the hospital, too, but all he'd done was send one of his men. He wouldn't even come see me.

I called Matteo. It rang for a long time.

"Elena? Didn't I already send Dario to stay with you?"

He was keeping his voice down, and I could faintly hear doctors talking in the background.

"Matteo, I'm right downstairs in the ER. Can't you even come see me for a minute?"

My voice was strangely calm. Even I hadn't expected that.

"I know. That's why I have Dario with you. He'll take care of everything."

He paused, and his low voice softened. "Bianca needs me. I can't get away. Elena, try to understand, okay?

"I've already asked the best neurologist in the hospital to see you. The bill and your security will be taken care of, too."

He was as thorough as ever, every detail planned out in advance.

Except for coming to see me.

I gripped the phone tighter. When I spoke, I sounded helpless. "Matteo, I want you to come down and see me."

The line went quiet.

A few seconds later, Bianca's hoarse voice drifted over the line. "Go be with Elena. I've got the doctors and the guys here."

Matteo didn't answer her. He just lowered his voice and spoke to me. "Once Bianca's tests are done, I'll come see you."

He hung up.

I closed my eyes, but I still couldn't stop the disappointment from welling up.

The first winter after Matteo and I got together, I'd ended up in this same hospital with a migraine.

Back then, he never left my side. When he saw I was hurting, he'd pull me into his arms and comfort me in a low voice. He never relaxed until I was feeling better.

I thought I'd finally found someone I could lean on.

But reality proved me painfully wrong.

The medication kicked in, and I slowly drifted off.

I didn't know how long I'd been asleep when I woke to footsteps marching in unison down the hall.

It was Matteo, carrying Bianca and striding toward the observation room.

Bianca was wrapped in his suit jacket, her cheek resting on his broad shoulder.

I could only watch as Matteo and a whole line of his men strode right past the observation room.

He didn't see me.

He hadn't come to see me. He just happened to be passing by.

"Matteo!"

Maybe I just couldn't let it end like this. With the last of my strength, I cried out.

He stopped short and turned hesitantly. Our eyes met.

Guilt and exhaustion were written all over his stern face.

Matteo didn't come into the observation room.

"Elena? God, I'm so sorry.

"I can't stay. I need to take Bianca home so she can rest."

He spoke from a few yards away, as if he'd had to make a difficult choice. "Dario will stay with you. I'll come see you in the morning."

Then he left with Bianca in his arms, and he didn't look back.

The guards fell in behind them, and soon they had all disappeared through the doors.

Dario was still standing by my bed, dutifully keeping watch.

Matteo had made all the proper arrangements for me. He'd done his duty as my fiancé.

But he gave Bianca the companionship he should have given the woman he loved.

The rest of the night was miserable. The medication left me groggy, but stomach cramps kept jolting me awake.

In fragments of dreams, I relived my whole relationship with Matteo.

But Bianca was everywhere in them.

Morning light finally spilled into the dreary observation room.

Dario stepped out to take a call. When he returned, he looked apologetic. "Ms. Caruso, the Don says there's a problem with the weapons in the southern territory. He won't be able to make it."

I nodded without a word, my fingers absently turning my expensive engagement ring.

While Dario was out on his call, I'd asked a doctor about Bianca's results from the night before. She was perfectly fine—no broken bones, not even a muscle strain.

I opened Uncle Enzo's message and wrote back, asking exactly where in Boston he wanted to meet.

If there was no place for me here, then leaving was for the best.