3

After giving me something to bring down my fever, the family doctor said, "The bullet missed all the Don's vital organs. He just needs a few days of rest to recover.

"Please don't worry too much. Your own health comes first."

I leaned back against the pillows and nodded.

Not long after the doctor left, the bedroom door opened, and Nina walked in.

For the first time in two lifetimes, I studied her carefully.

She wore a beige lace dress. She was slender and rosy-cheeked, looking nothing like a woman who had just lost her husband.

Nina stood by the bed and gave me a polite little bow. "Donna, are you feeling better?"

My voice came out a little hoarse. "Much better.

"Nina, if there's anything you need, just ask the butler to take care of it."

I thought that would send her on her way, but she showed no sign of leaving. Instead, she sat down in the chair beside my bed without being invited.

Nina said softly, "Actually, I came to keep you company for a while. There's something I think I should tell you myself."

I didn't say anything, so she went on. "After Sam died, Carlos offered me enough money and a house to start a new life somewhere far away. But I turned him down."

I looked up at her without a word.

A shy smile tugged at Nina's lips, one she couldn't quite hide. "Later, when Carlos got hurt, I rushed to the hospital and stayed by his bedside day and night. Then one night, the moment felt right, and we lost control. You can probably guess what happened next."

Her blatant attempt to rub it in sent a dull ache through my chest.

I kept my expression composed. "So?"

When I didn't become hysterical as she'd expected, Nina's face darkened, and she dropped the fragile act.

She stood up and glared down at me. "Alice, you really are heartless!

"Carlos is out there risking his life and bleeding, and when he comes home, he has to walk on eggshells around you! Do you know he waited for you at the hospital all night yesterday? He was hurt, and he wanted you to come see him so badly, but you didn't even show your face!"

Then, just as quickly, her hostility vanished. She dropped to the floor beside my bed with a thud and burst into tears.

"Donna, I only want to stay by Carlos's side and take care of him after everything he's done for me. I swear I've never tried to take your place. Please don't send me away!"

I frowned, baffled by her Oscar-worthy performance.

The next second, the bedroom door banged open.

Carlos stormed in, his face dark, and strode over to help Nina to her feet.

Without asking a single question, he stepped in front of Nina to shield her, his voice cold and stern.

"Alice, bringing Nina to the estate was my decision. If you have a problem with it, take it up with me. Don't make things hard for Nina."

He didn't even ask me what had happened. He just took Nina's word for it.

My chest heaved with anger, and I coughed twice.

Only then did alarm and concern flash in Carlos's eyes. "Alice, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"

He came closer and reached out to feel my forehead.

"Don't touch me!"

I jerked my head away and turned to the maid standing outside the door, my voice ice-cold.

"Please show the Don and Mrs. Russo out. I need to rest."

Carlos's outstretched hand froze in midair. In the end, he clenched his jaw and led the weeping Nina out of the room.

By afternoon, my fever had gone down a little.

My phone rang. It was my best friend, Sophia Bellini.

"Alice, my wedding's in three days. You'd better be there!"

Before I could answer, she huffed angrily. "I heard all about what happened with Carlos and that widow! Who does Nina think she is, coming at you like that?"

Sophia was loud and fiery, and I could feel a headache coming on. "Sophia, I'm fine. Don't do anything crazy..."

"Don't worry. At my wedding, I'll make sure you get some payback!"

Sophia hung up before I could say another word. As I stared at the dark screen, a vague sense of unease crept in.

The day of the wedding soon arrived.

I wanted Nina to stay home, but she thought I was singling her out and insisted that Carlos bring her along.

Halfway through the lively reception, terrified screams erupted from the crowd.

A few bodyguards rushed in, shouting in panic, "Something's happened! Mrs. Russo's been bitten by Ms. Bellini's cheetah!"

Everything was chaos. I'd just gotten to my feet when Sophia ran in from outside, white as a ghost, and grabbed my arm.

"Alice, I-I only asked the trainer to bring the cheetah over and scare Nina. I wanted her to make a fool of herself in front of everyone... But the cheetah suddenly went wild, broke its chain, and bolted..."