Chapter 3

The doctor's face went pale. He knew I was on the verge of death and that he had to get me to a proper hospital.

He frantically dialed Vito's private number.

"Boss, this is an emergency! Mrs. Alessia has been severely poisoned, she needs immediate medical attention! She's going to die!"

Vito's voice was thick with annoyance and fury. "Alessia. You've outdone yourself with this performance. Not only did you get out, you even managed to bribe our family's best doctor."

"Let me be clear, whatever game you're playing, I'm not falling for it! I know you too well. There's nothing wrong with you, so stop trying to trick me."

"I told you, he's my flesh and blood. I'm not going to abandon my own son. But you have to wait until Scarlett is done. Why can't you just wait?"

"I admit, I underestimated you. Now you behave yourself, or you know the consequences of defying me."

The line went dead.

The doctor stared at his phone, then back at me, barely clinging to life.

He gritted his teeth and made a decision.

"It's a long shot, but I'm taking you to the private clinic."

I never imagined he would take me to Scarlett's clinic.

Through the glass doors, I could see it was brightly lit, with staff bustling about.

The most advanced medical equipment was lined up in perfect order.

The very things that were meant to save my life.

The doctor pleaded with the staff, explaining the situation to the head nurse.

But she just shook her head coldly.

"The Boss's orders are clear. All clinic resources are reserved for Mrs. Scarlett. No one is to use them without authorization."

"But she's dying!"

"That's not our problem."

Because of Vito's command, I couldn't get so much as a single painkiller.

Just then, a tall figure appeared in the doorway.

It was Vito's second in command, Marco.

He saw me, covered in blood, and his face went white with shock.

He rushed to Vito's side.

"Boss, there's a woman outside, covered in blood. She... if I'm not mistaken, she looks exactly like Mrs. Alessia."

Vito's brow furrowed, and he pressed his temples hard.

"Impossible," he answered flatly. "She's fine. Pregnant, yes, but fine. There's no way she could have gotten this far."

Marco tried again, his voice lower. "Perhaps you should go see for yourself, Boss. If it is her, your child could be in danger too."

Vito's patience snapped. He glared at Marco. "I said it's impossible. Are you deaf?"

"If it were really Alessia, do you think she'd need you to report it? Wouldn't she have stormed in here herself?"

"A woman that vain, so obsessed with her image, would never let anyone see her in that state. Use your head."

After the tirade, Marco could only shake his head in defeat.

"I'm sorry," he said to me. "I can't help you."

The doctor looked helplessly at the closed doors of the treatment room.

His face was filled with guilt, but I knew he had done all he could.

I wanted to tell him not to blame himself, that he'd done all he could, but I didn't have the strength left to speak.

The blood loss, the snake venom, the labor suppressant, each one was hastening death's approach.

I could hear the hushed chatter of the medical staff, their voices fading into the distance.

"Mrs. Scarlett's baby is about to be born, we have to stay with her."

"But this woman's condition is critical. She'll die if we don't help her."

"The poison has spread to her organs, and the fetal heartbeat is weakening..."

"Get the emergency kit, now!"

I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, different from the contractions.

This was the pain of death.

My hand rested on my stomach.

My once-swollen belly was slackening, becoming flat.

My baby... forgive me, my soul screamed. My precious boy, Mommy failed you. I couldn't protect you.

I shed one last tear.

And then, the world went black.

Vito's POV

Vito paced anxiously outside the delivery room.

He had waited by Scarlett's side all night.

When the door opened, he rushed to her bedside.

"Congratulations, Boss! It's a healthy boy!"

Vito looked at the infant in Scarlett's arms, his eyes shining with elation.

"He's beautiful," he said softly to Scarlett. "Just like you."

The future heir of the family had finally been born.

Then he paused. A stray thought crossed his mind: who would Alessia's child take after?

If it was a girl, she would probably look like her mother, especially with those amber eyes.

After gently coaxing the baby to sleep, Vito turned to leave.

The long day was finally over.

And he had finally remembered.

"Marco, go get Alessia. It's over. Time for her to see the baby."

"Scarlett is safe. Tell her she can deliver now."

Marco stood frozen, not moving an inch.

His body trembled with a terror Vito couldn't comprehend.

After a long moment, he finally forced the words out, his voice a raw whisper.

"Boss... Mrs. Alessia and the baby... they're... they're gone."