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Chapter 4

Author: Gemma
Just like that, years of marriage turned into a signature he could not even be bothered to read.

I put the document away. There would be no future for us.

His phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. “Chiara? What happened? I am on my way.”

He turned and left, and the door closed behind him.

I stood there with the signed document in my hand and the suitcase half packed. I thought about the baby. About the ultrasound in the box. About the fact that no one would ever know.

Then the door opened again. My mother stood there. “Why are you still here? Chiara needs you. Her condition is getting worse. Are you going to sit with her or not?”

I looked at her quietly. “Is her private care not enough?” I asked.

My mother stared at me. For a moment, something soft passed over her face.

" I know this has been hard for you, " she said. " But Chiara won't be here much longer. After she's gone, things will go back to normal. You are still our only daughter. Just be patient. Don't fight with her. Let her have this time."

I lowered my eyes. “I will change clothes and come down.”

She sighed. "Fine. Take your time. Get some rest. You look exhausted."

I stood in the room and looked at my pale face in the mirror. Then I put on a dark dress. This was the dignity expected of a Donna.

Downstairs, the family dinner had already started. The long table was covered with food, and servants stood in the corners waiting. Chiara sat next to Enzo, leaning against him slightly with one hand on her swollen belly. My mother kept putting food into her bowl. “Eat more. You need nutrition.”

Across the table, Enzo reached over to adjust Chiara’s position. “Be careful. Do not tire yourself.”

Chiara gave him a sweet smile. “I am fine. You are here.”

Then Chiara suddenly looked at me. “Alessia,” she said softly. “Thank you for coming down.” Her eyes met mine, and there was no gratitude in them, only mockery.

Her smile widened. "You've always been so good to me. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. "

My mother sighed. "She's always been a good sister. "

I said nothing. After dinner ended, I went upstairs. When I reached the stairway, I heard footsteps behind me. “Alessia.”

It was Chiara. She had a servant help her up the stairs. I turned slightly, and she stood a few steps away, looking at me with that smile.

“Are you really okay after everything?” she asked quietly.

“I am fine.”

She stepped closer. “That surprises me. I thought you would break down, cry, make a scene, and run to the elders.”

I stayed silent.

Her expression darkened a little. “You are always like this, like nothing can touch you. It is annoying.” She glanced downstairs. The dinner had not ended. Enzo was talking to some family members, and my parents were there too. Something flashed in her eyes.

“Do you think you are still important now?” She said quietly. “Do you think they will believe you or me? I am carrying the Vitale heir. What do you have?”

I looked at her. “You should leave now before I change my mind,” I said calmly.

She suddenly grabbed her chest, and her face turned pale. Then she screamed, “Help! She is trying to kill me! She pushed me!” She screamed and slowly collapsed to the floor.

Noise came from downstairs, and footsteps rushed up the stairs. “Chiara!” Enzo’s voice was full of panic. He rushed up and knelt beside her.

She grabbed his arm, tears streaming down her face. “Enzo… she pushed me…” She sobbed. “I did nothing… I just wanted to talk to her…”

He shot his head up, and his gaze locked on me with anger. “What did you do?!”

“I did nothing,” I said. “She fell on her own.”

“You are insane.” He stood up and blocked Chiara with his body. “You have completely lost your mind.”

My parents also rushed up. My mother knelt and held Chiara. “You dared to start something at a family dinner?” My father’s voice was ice cold. “You have shamed this family.”

Enzo looked at me, and there was no anger left in his eyes now, only unfamiliar coldness. His attention had already returned to Chiara. He did not even notice me anymore.

I walked back to my room and picked up the suitcase. I placed the medical proof of miscarriage on top of the divorce agreement. Then I left the envelope on the bedside table where someone would find it.

They would know what they had lost. It was my time to leave forever.
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    Just like that, years of marriage turned into a signature he could not even be bothered to read.I put the document away. There would be no future for us.His phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. “Chiara? What happened? I am on my way.”He turned and left, and the door closed behind him.I stood there with the signed document in my hand and the suitcase half packed. I thought about the baby. About the ultrasound in the box. About the fact that no one would ever know.Then the door opened again. My mother stood there. “Why are you still here? Chiara needs you. Her condition is getting worse. Are you going to sit with her or not?”I looked at her quietly. “Is her private care not enough?” I asked.My mother stared at me. For a moment, something soft passed over her face." I know this has been hard for you, " she said. " But Chiara won't be here much longer. After she's gone, things will go back to normal. You are still our only daughter. Just be patient. Don't fight with her. Let h

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