Chapter 6

The countdown reached zero on my birthday.

Damian was already dressed when I woke. He kissed my forehead and placed the black gown beside me.

"I will come back for you at six."

I looked at him. "Can you stay with me today?"

I had never made such a request in five years. Damian hesitated before sitting on the edge of the bed and taking my hand.

"There are still a few things at the hotel that need my attention. As soon as everything is ready, I'll come back."

He kissed my fingertips. "Tonight, you will be the happiest woman in New York."

I did not expose the lie. The second floor of the Moretti Hotel held the birthday party he had arranged for me. On the third floor waited the wedding I had prepared for him and Serena.

Damian stayed through lunch. I had barely touched my food, so he cut my steak into smaller pieces and moved the plate closer to me.

"You need to eat."

His phone lit up before I could answer. Serena had sent a photograph of bright blood staining a white skirt.

[Damian, it hurts. The doctor says I might lose the baby.]

All color left his face. He set down his utensils so abruptly that he nearly overturned his wine.

"What happened?" I asked.

"There is a problem with security at the hotel." He lied without blinking. "I have to go now, but you wait here. I'll be back before six."

He seized his coat and headed for the door.

"Damian."

He turned back. I looked at the man I had loved for seven years and remembered him standing beside me in the family chapel on our wedding day. In front of both families, he had promised that through illness, danger, and death, he would always choose me. Yet when the choice came, he had never chosen me once.

"Goodbye."

His brow furrowed. "Why did you say that as if you were leaving?"

His phone rang again. Serena was urging him to come.

Damian did not wait for my answer. He only said, "I will see you tonight," and walked away.

Once his car left the estate, I went upstairs for my passport and the last suitcase. The medal he had given me lay beside the bed. I removed it and placed it next to the estate keys and the gift box.

Before leaving, I gave the household staff letters and checks. The butler followed me to the entrance, his eyes red.

"Mrs. Moretti, will you come back?"

I did not answer. Alessia's car was already waiting outside.

I reached the airport at 5:40 p.m. When boarding began, messages from Damian appeared.

[The security issue has been resolved. I am going to the hotel to wait for you.]

[Remember to wear the dress I gave you.]

[Do not be late tonight.]

He still believed everything was unfolding according to his plan.

At six, as I prepared to board, Alessia delivered the gift box to the Moretti Hotel. Damian called just before the aircraft door closed.

I answered, and his voice came through immediately. "Elena, where are you? The party is about to begin."

An announcement sounded behind me, asking passengers on the flight to Palermo to take their seats.

Silence held the other end of the line for two seconds.

"Are you at the airport?" Damian's voice changed sharply. "Why are they calling a flight to Palermo? Elena, answer me."

"I am going home."

"What do you mean, home? The Moretti estate is your home."

A chair scraped against the floor. He seemed to have risen so violently that it fell behind him.

"Do not get on that plane. Stay where you are. I'm coming to get you."

"It is too late."

"Elena!"

For the first time, I heard panic break through Damian's control. I remained calm.

"Go to the third floor. I left your gifts there."

"I do not want any gifts." His breathing had grown ragged. "Tell me why you are leaving."

"You will understand when you open the box."

I ended the call. A few minutes later, Alessia sent me a message: [Mr. Moretti has opened the box.]

A second message followed: [He found the pregnancy report.]