LOGINGabriella knew her defiance would come with severe punishment. When Enzo had said they should take her to a cage, she assumed it would be a room, not an actual human-sized cage.
Enzo's men didn't waste time in shoving her inside and locking it up. She remained silent, not wanting to show them she was weak but Enzo's men didn't care if she was quiet or loud, they left her there in the dark, the metallic clang of the cage door echoing in the hollow space.
Her heart raced her thoughts a chaotic mix of regret and resolution. She slid down against the cold metal bars to the floor, her mind replaying the night’s events.
"Madam," she heard a voice whisper in the dark. "It's me, Maria."
"Maria?" Gabriella stood up straight in the cage holding the bar.
She looked into the dark wondering where Maria was, a dim light soon came on and Gabriella could see Maria holding her phone and app
Gabriella froze in place still in disbelief, she stared at the door where Maria had just walked through. Her mind went back to the time she and Maria had spent as friends, how Maria had always been so supportive of her and caring. She still couldn't believe that Maria of all people could do something like this to her.She wasn't shocked to hear Aleida's name, Aleida hated her, she had shown it far too many times and was this close to even telling her to her face but Maria..."Hey, hey," Miguel muttered pulling Gabriella into a side hug.Gabriella had been so lost in her thoughts she didn't take note that she was currently crying her eyes out."How could she do this to me? I could have died Miguel, I could have died because of her," Gabriella cried out."Just calm down, okay?" Miguel pleaded, he didn't like to see his sister like this. It was painful enough that he was trying to protect Aleida but Gabriella was also his sister as well. "Dad is going to take care of Aleida, and you don'
TWO DAYS LATERHOSPITALGabriella opened her eyes slowly Groaning in discomfort, Gabriella tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her head and she fell back onto the pillow. "Ow!" she moaned, her hand flying to her forehead. "What...what happened?"A gentle voice spoke beside her. "You're in the hospital."Gabriella stared at her side, as Miguel stared at her with a worried look. "How are you feeling now? Do I need to call the doctor?" Miguel asked.Gabriella tilted her head to the side, her vision felt blurry and it took her a moment for his words to sink in and then her eyes widened as memories flooded back. "Elena! She tried to kill me!""You're safe now. Elena has been taken care of. You just focus on getting better." Miguel reassured her.Gabriella's eyes scanned the room, spotting Maria standing in the corner, his eyes filled with concern. "Maria," she whispered, her voice weak.She extended her hand for Maria to come to her. Maria hesitated for a moment, she stared at M
LOMBARDI'S ESTATE"Aleida! Aleida!!" Miguel yelled as he walked down the hallway leading to Aleida's room but he got no response from her. When he got to her door, he pushed the door open without knocking and found Aleida sitting on her bed watching the television."And when did we stop knocking?" Aleida rolled her eyes changing the channel."Did you have a hand on this?" Miguel asked going straight to the point."A hand in what? What the hell are you talking about?" Aleida asked, her eyes still glued to the television."Enzo will kill you, did you consider that part?""Go straight to the point Miguel, I don't understand. What are you talking about?" Aleida said, still not sparing Miguel a glance."The gas? Gabriella? Are you working for Elena?" He responded, his voice firm and unyielding.Aleida's eyes finally snapped away from the TV, her gaze locking onto Miguel's face. "You must be out of your mind. Why the hell will I be working with Elena?" she asked, her voice laced with feigne
BACK AT THE HOSPITAL,"How is she?" Miguel asked as he and Lombardi joined Maria who had been waiting patiently. Aleida had asked to be dropped off at home, she didn't want to continue to pretend that she gave two shits about Gabriella or her well-being."Fine, the doctor permitted me to see her but I thought it best she get some rest," Maria replied her eyes locked on Miguel and not Lombardi."That means I can see her then," Lombardi said."Yes Sir," Maria replied, she was almost close to bowing her head to him when she internally reminded herself that she was no longer a maid and wasn't required to bow to him anymore."Give me a moment, I will join you shortly," Miguel said to Lombardi."Very well," Lombardi replied.As Lombardi headed toward Gabriella's room, Miguel turned to Maria. "You've been here for hours. Go get some rest. We'll take it from here."Maria hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, Miguel. But I am fine waiting, it's not like I have anywhere to be.""It's Sir to you,"
"Where is Elena?" Enzo asked for the third time. His men had been able to strap the maid, Elena's two brothers, her father, and her mother but Elena was nowhere to be found.They had turned the entire house upside down but there was no sight of her.Enzo paced the living room, his anger growing with each passing second. He was losing patience. "Search the grounds again," he ordered his men. "She has to be here somewhere."Alejandro, sensing Enzo's rising frustration, stepped forward. "We'll find her, boss. She can't have gone far."Enzo nodded curtly, his eyes never leaving the captives. "Where is she?" he demanded, his voice cold and hard.The maid trembled, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "I-I don't know," she stammered. "She was here earlier, but then she disappeared."Enzo's eyes narrowed. "You're lying," he accused, stepping closer. "And I don't have time for lies."The maid shook her head frantically. "Please, I swear! I don't know where she is!"Enzo turned to Elena
Enzo placed his hand into his pocket, his patience was running thin, and heading to the doctor's office to speak privately wasn't going to make it better. He was less concerned if Alejandro or Maria were currently behind him, his major concern was Gabriella's health."You can speak freely," Enzo said to the doctor."Very well," the doctor nodded, but he still moved to the side as Enzo moved behind him until they were away from Alejandro and Maria. "We ran some rest and are still running some more tests like I mentioned earlier because she is pregnant."Enzo's eyes widened, he opened his mouth but no words came out. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts and all he could utter was, "What?""Yes Sir, she is pregnant," the doctor continued. "We are running some tests to make sure she is perfectly fine and the baby as well. Due to the gas she inhaled, she would have lost the child or in a worst-case scenario died. It was a good thing, you brought her in just in time."Enzo stared at







