Chapter 4

Those photos were taken when we first got married. Domenico had coaxed me into posing for them, saying he wanted to capture my most beautiful moments and keep them just for himself.

Now, he had turned those sweet memories into weapons against me.

The moment the photos appeared, laughter and wolf whistles erupted from the crowd below.

The men's gazes swept over me like starving beasts, their mouths spewing vulgar comments.

"That body's not bad at all. Who knew Signora Calvetti was so hot..."

"Wonder if I can get a piece of her tonight. I'd pay top dollar!"

"One dollar." Domenico's voice rang out again, drowning out all the noise. "The original copies of these photos, along with this woman's services for tonight. One dollar gets you both."

His words were the final straw that broke me completely.

I shook my head desperately, tears mixing with blood streaming down my face. "Domenico... please don't... I'm begging you, don't do this..."

Alice nestled in his arms and covered her mouth in fake concern. "Domenico, isn't this too cruel to her? After all, those are her private photos..."

"Privacy?" Domenico laughed coldly, his eyes full of mockery. "A whore who betrays the family has no right to privacy."

My face was pressed against the ground. I could clearly hear the breathing and comments of the men surrounding me.

Those voices slithered into my ears like venomous snakes, gnawing away at what little dignity I had left. I felt like merchandise being appraised and judged.

I could imagine the desire burning in those men's eyes, like flames ready to consume me completely.

Suddenly, a sharp cramping pain tore through my abdomen. It felt like countless needles stabbing into me. My vision went black and I lost consciousness.

…

When I woke up again, I was in a discreet private clinic.

A doctor in a white coat stood beside my bed, his expression complicated. "Signora, you… You're pregnant. Two months along."

Pregnant? I instinctively placed my hand on my lower abdomen. There was a slight swell there.

Two months ago, Domenico came home drunk, and we were intimate. He was barely conscious that night and kept calling out another woman's name. I thought it was just an accident. I never expected a child to come out of it.

The doctor handed me an ultrasound printout. It clearly showed two tiny gestational sacs.

Twins.

I took the ultrasound and froze in place. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. It was joy, despair, and helplessness all at once.

I had already made up my mind to leave. Now, however, the children I had longed for had come at the worst possible time.

For the sake of the babies, I had to speed up my departure. I could not let Domenico harm them.

I went home and packed my things. I was about to contact Salvatore to tell him about the pregnancy and have him arrange for an earlier pickup. However, the door was suddenly flung open.

Domenico walked in. He saw the suitcase behind the door and frowned slightly, his tone impatient. "Look, I know I went too far this time, but running away from home is a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

I looked away expressionlessly, hiding the emotion in my eyes. "You misunderstood. I just want to go out and clear my head."

He raised an eyebrow, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alice is pregnant. I want to keep the child."

My breath caught. My heartbeat stuttered. All the blood in my body seemed to freeze.

Domenico had always been surrounded by women, but none of them had ever been allowed to keep his child. Not even me.

I had always wanted a child. I wanted a family that belonged to us. However, he always said that it was not the right time or that the family business was too demanding. He had refused me again and again.

Yet now, when he looked at me, his eyes held joy and anticipation—emotions I had never seen before.

It turned out he did not dislike children. He just did not want children with me.

I forced a smile, my voice hoarse. "Children are wonderful. Having one sounds nice."

Domenico smiled with relief, his expression relaxed. As long as I was obedient, I could remain by his side forever like a piece of furniture.

"Good. As long as you behave, I won't hold the leaked information against you. The position of Signora Calvetti will always be yours."

I smiled but said nothing.

"Father just contacted me. He wants me to bring you home for a visit. He misses you."

He paused. "Alice is going out with friends tonight. I gave her your car. You'll ride in my passenger seat."

I had no objections. After all these years, I had grown accustomed to his demands.

After changing clothes, I randomly picked out a gift and got into his car. The car had barely started when Domenico's phone rang.

He answered and listened for only a few seconds before his face turned ashen. He suddenly smashed his phone against the interior of the car.