Chapter 2

On the third night in the hospital, I sat alone, staring blankly out the window.

I watched my reflection settle on the glass and felt like it was another me, locked away in the dark.

The sharp click of high heels echoed down the hall, and the door swung open.

It was Chiara.

She walked to the bedside and idly fiddled with my IV line.

"Didn't think you had it in you. Turns out you're quite the schemer."

Chiara suddenly leaned in close, staring straight into my eyes.

"You're not even hurt that badly. Lying around in this hospital refusing to leave is just your way of making the Don worry about you."

These past few days, Matteo had come every day.

Sometimes with breakfast, sometimes with freshly made soup.

He'd tuck in my blanket and check the drip rate.

He'd also sit by the bed and keep watch for a long time after I fell asleep.

Maybe because he felt sorry. Maybe because he felt guilty.

But it was too late.

No amount of penance could buy back my child's life.

I looked at Chiara calmly. "What do you want?"

Chiara pressed her lips together and picked up the wedding ring from my nightstand.

"Taking it off to put on a show for who? Right, looks like you finally figured it out."

She held the ring up to the light, examining the diamond. "You have no right to be Donna."

"Are you done?" I glared at her. "Done? Then get out."

She tossed the ring back onto the nightstand and reached for my phone.

I raised my hand to block her.

Chiara dodged my hand and stepped back.

I braced myself on the bed to grab it, and my wound tore.

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead instantly.

"Give it back."

"What's the rush? Got something to hide?"

She pulled a small silver device from her bag, held it close to the phone, and cracked the login verification.

She scrolled through my phone fast, then her eyes lit up.

"Leave? You're leaving?"

She shoved the phone in my face, the screen showing the itinerary I'd marked with my departure date.

"Give it back! You're violating my privacy!" I clutched my wound, speaking through gritted teeth.

"Don't worry. Let me help you with that."

Chiara grinned viciously as her fingers flew across her hacker device.

I hit the call button at the same moment she finished.

"I'll come check on you later."

With that, she left with my phone.

Three hours later, the door slammed open.

Matteo strode in, Chiara right behind him.

His face was dark, the veins on the back of his hand standing out sharply.

The moment he saw me, he let out a long breath of relief, then raised his hand.

The slap stopped beside my cheek, trembling.

"Bianca, are you done throwing your tantrums?"

He looked down at me, fury barely contained.

"There's a limit to this nonsense. Do you have any idea I sent every button man in the family out looking for you?"

I frowned at him in confusion.

He threw his phone down in front of me. The tracking system showed I'd left the city.

So that was it.

Matteo had planted a tracking chip in my phone. He could see my location anytime.

He said it was to protect me, so he could get to me first if anything happened.

And three hours ago, Chiara had blacked out my phone.

"You'd hand your own phone to someone else just to make me worry?"

Matteo's face was ashen.

"You're using cheap tricks like this? And you call yourself Donna!"

"Chiara spotted something wrong and warned me right away. We turned the whole city upside down looking for you!"

"If she hadn't tipped me off, I never would've guessed you were just throwing a fit, lying safe in this hospital!"

I looked at Matteo and spoke calmly.

"Chiara took my phone. She hacked it. Ask her if you don't believe me."

Matteo paused and turned to Chiara.

Chiara bit her lip, and her eyes welled up fast.

"Donna, how could you accuse me? I never touched your phone."

"I'm not lying," I said, straightening up. "Check her schedule. She was here three hours ago."

Matteo's expression darkened bit by bit.

"Chiara was kind enough to warn me, and you're turning it around on her?"

He looked at me coldly. "You're really beyond saving."

I bit down on my lower lip, and the taste of rust filled my mouth.

There's no truth in this world, only perspective.

Since Matteo had already decided I was guilty, there was nothing more to say.

"I'll have someone bring you a new phone. Stop this nonsense!"

With that, Matteo left with Chiara.

At the door, Chiara deliberately looked back and blew me a kiss.

I looked away, at the wedding ring lying quietly on the nightstand.

Seems there's no need to put it on again.

Only four days left until I leave.