Chapter 2

Natalina's POV

Papa was rarely wrong about people. He called immediately after receiving my text and didn't question my decision or press for details. All he did was give me a few simple words of advice.

"The Famiglia will always be here for you, Natalina. Don't hold on too tightly to the past. The future is what you should be fighting for.

"But since you're coming home, I need to remind you of one thing—don't bring back what doesn't belong, and don't leave behind what's yours."

I knew what Papa meant. The thing I couldn't bring back was the child in my womb, and the things I couldn't leave behind were the shipping routes and businesses I spent years building for Antonio.

I nodded. "I understand, Papa."

After I hung up the phone, Antonio took me to a restaurant.

Sitting in the car, I noticed the lipstick stain on the car seat and caught the lingering scent of perfume in the air, but I said nothing. Instead, I played dumb, while Antonio seemed pleased by my compliance.

When we arrived at the restaurant, he reached over to help me out of the car. My heart throbbed painfully at the sight of the gunshot wound scar on his arm.

That was from the bullet he had taken for me during a gunfight years ago, and it was the exact moment I had fallen in love with him.

The Antonio I once knew treated me very well. He used to put me above everything else, protect me, and care for me. He could even remember every piece of jewelry that caught my eye for a second too long.

Unfortunately, everything had changed.

Before I could dwell on the nostalgia, a woman appeared and wrapped her arms around Antonio's.

"How could you have time to come out for dinner tonight, Don Antonio? You haven't visited me at the beach house in ages. Has that battleaxe at home been keeping you on a short leash again?"

The woman who had spoken was Aurora Lentini, a mistress Antonio kept out in the open—and who lasted the longest. She knew how to please him and always pitched her voice to that soft, coquettish whine he adored.

Right on cue, Antonio pulled out a bank card and handed it to her.

"Fine. I'll visit tonight. Just behave for now."

He didn't even forget to kiss Aurora right in front of me.

Looking at the bank card, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

I had spent years working hard, managing his finances and business affairs, and yet he threw his wealth around to his mistresses without a second thought. Perhaps that kind of money meant nothing to him.

Antonio and I walked into the restaurant. Before we could even take our seats, hushed voices from people around us drifted over.

"Isn't that the daughter of the Corradini Famiglia? The Corradinis are the biggest mafia Famiglia in Cecialo."

I turned around and saw Aurora walking over in her high heels.

"What do you mean, the Corradini Famiglia? Get your facts straight. The Ragusas are the biggest mafia in Cecialo right now.

"That precious Principessa of the Corradinis, whom they protected for so many years, ends up being a housekeeper for the Ragusas now. What's there to be proud of?

"Besides, if she weren't pregnant with his baby, the Don would have thrown her out ages ago with that aged face of hers."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh at her words. Had I shown Antonio so much mercy over the years that even his mistress thought she had the right to mock me in public?

Aurora used to be a housekeeper by my side. With her pretty face and cheap charms, she climbed into Antonio's bed after my first miscarriage, or perhaps even earlier than that.

Perhaps it happened while I was out fighting on the streets, holding the line during turf wars for Antonio, or when I was taking bullets for him. I couldn't even keep track anymore.

All I remembered was lying gravely ill in bed, begging Antonio to see me just once.

In response, Aurora sent me a photo. It was an intimate picture of her and Antonio in bed.

Over the years, Aurora became increasingly arrogant, and it was obvious who was backing her up.

But I no longer cared. The only thing I needed to do right now was end the pregnancy. There was no way I would leave while carrying Antonio's baby.