Chapter 3

Elena's POV

Sofia slipped in without knocking. "Elena, I'm so glad you've finally come to your senses!"

She walked over, her tone intimate, as if we were childhood best friends. "The family trust fund in Silvaria is almost past its unfreezing deadline, and several collateral branches are hovering like vultures.

"If you get the paperwork sorted out now, Antonio can claim his share the second it thaws. Then you two can just remarry."

She beamed, putting on a front of pure concern for my well-being. "When I brought this up to Antonio earlier, he was worried you'd throw a fit like last time."

My hands went stiff as memories flooded back.

The last time he brought up divorce, I had just found out I was pregnant. Unstable and terrified, I had smashed everything in sight the second the word left his lips.

But things were different now.

After watching him shower Sofia with extravagant gifts while neglecting Matteo's lethal allergy, I had zero expectations left for this marriage.

Antonio's eyes darkened as he stared at me. "Elena Visconti, are you serious? Or are you just throwing a tantrum because of what I said earlier?"

As I looked at him, I suddenly felt a bone-deep exhaustion. I didn't even have the energy to argue anymore.

"I'm serious," I said.

Antonio's furrowed brow finally relaxed, and his voice was noticeably lighter. "Alright. I'll have the family lawyer draft the papers and send it over. We can file it tomorrow. We'll split the assets 50-50, and I'll keep Matteo for now."

Just then, Sofia tugged on Antonio's sleeve. "Your line of work is far too dangerous. How could you possibly take care of a child on your own? Besides, the family is in such chaos right now. What if Elena gets hunted down the second she comes into that money?"

Antonio hesitated at her words.

Noticing that he didn't push back, Sofia stepped forward and took my arm. "Elena, please don't misunderstand. My suggestion for a fake divorce was purely to help Antonio claim that trust. Don't worry. Once it's finalized, I'll make sure no other woman gets near him."

I ignored her completely and kept my eyes on Antonio. "I have one condition before we sign anything."

Antonio froze, his expression instantly souring. "Elena, don't play hard to get. Do you have any idea what happens if that money gets delayed? Once the deadline passes, it goes straight back to the family trust committee!

"Don't you love roses? As soon as I get that money, I'll buy you the largest glass greenhouse in all of Silvaria."

As I looked at his familiar face, he felt like a total stranger. It made all my years of sacrifice look like a pathetic joke.

When his family fell apart, I sold everything I owned for him. Yet he couldn't even remember which flowers I liked.

I stared at him for a long moment and spoke just as his brows knitted together. "Antonio, I hate roses."

The second the words left my mouth, Sofia stepped to his side and tapped him gently. Her tone carried a hint of playful reproach as she said, "I'm the one who loves roses! Did you forget?"

Then, she turned back to me with a soft smile. "Elena, don't be mad at Antonio. He's been swamped with family business lately. It's only natural he got confused. Don't worry. I'll give him a good talking-to later."

Watching her act like the lady of the Costa family made my stomach churn.

I lowered my eyes and forced down the nausea before saying, "I'll agree to the divorce, but I'll draft the divorce papers."

Before the words could fully settle, Matteo's distressed cries echoed from the bedroom.

Antonio made a move toward the door, but Sofia caught his sleeve. "I feel so dizzy… I must have been on my feet too long today."

He stopped dead in his tracks, turned, and wrapped an arm around Sofia's waist. "Don't worry. I'm taking you to the hospital right now."