Chapter 3

When I settled the bill for the miscarriage procedure, a notification popped up on my phone showing a seven-figure deposit.

It was from Marco.

Right after it came another message from him. "Buy whatever you want. Don't hold back."

I stared at that casual line on my screen, finding it both absurd and laughable.

I didn't accept the money or reply. I just booked a flight to Northern Eltrand for next night.

That evening, I returned to the villa with Lionello, only to find that Marco was already home. Sergio took Lionello to his room to play with building blocks.

Marco wrapped his arms around me and said gently, "How did you spend all day shopping but barely spend any money? Is there anything you want? Perhaps a haute couture gown or some diamond jewelry?"

I lowered my eyes and replied, "I don't want anything."

The only thing I wanted was his genuine love, but he would never give me that. He couldn't.

Marco paused, his voice turning somewhat helpless. "Stop being upset with me. I know you're unhappy. That's why I came home to spend time with you. I'll make arrangements with Valeria. From now on, I'll make more time for you and Lionello."

His palm slid down my lower back and gently rested over my flat stomach. "Lionello keeps saying he wants a little sister, too. Once you've recovered, let's have another child, okay?"

I leaned against Marco's chest without saying a word.

How absurd.

He was holding me in his arms, coaxing me and trying to persuade me to have another child. Ironically, our baby had just died.

I began, "You know. Today, I..."

Just then, the phone in his pocket suddenly began vibrating urgently.

Marco listened for a few seconds, and his expression shifted instantly. "Valeria just called. Lucia is having an allergic reaction. I need to get there right away."

I stood there, watching him hurriedly grab his coat. A dull ache returned to my lower abdomen.

"Do you really have to leave right now? I'm not feeling well today," I said.

Marco froze and frowned as he snapped, "That's a living, breathing child! Severe allergies can cause suffocation. Can't you be more understanding? Don't throw a tantrum at a time like this."

Our argument alerted Lionello, who was happily playing in his room.

Clutching half of a building block in his hand, he ran out. The moment he saw that Marco was about to leave, he rushed over and wrapped his arms around his leg.

"Is Lucia sick, Papa? I want to go see her too!" Lionello begged.

Marco glanced at me and gently patted his little head. "Be good. You stay here with Mama—"

"No! I'm worried about Lucia. I have to go see her!" Lionello tightened his grip around Marco's leg and urged him repeatedly. "Let's go, Papa! Hurry! Don't waste any time!"

"Mama doesn't feel well, so we'll just let her stay home by herself," Marco said.

I watched the two of them leave and listened as the sound of the car engine faded into the night.

Not a single tear fell.

I knew that our family had fallen apart.