Chapter 3

When Adriano came to see me, the nurse was dabbing medicine on my infected fingers.

The pain was brutal—sharp, deep. My face went pale, cold sweat sliding down my back, but I bit my lip and stayed quiet.

Even when it split and bled, I only frowned and kept enduring.

"She's in pain. Be gentle!"

Adriano frowned, snatched the medicine from the nurse, and started tending my wounds himself, his touch unexpectedly gentle.

"Cassie, if it hurts, say something. Don't force yourself."

His voice was soft, like the man who once loved and spoiled me.

But my heart felt nothing.

I looked up into those deep blue eyes.

Once, they held only me.

Now? Just contempt and impatience.

"I'm fine," I said, voice calm and hollow.

Adriano hesitated. I used to cry over a paper cut. Now...

"You really have changed," he muttered, eyes unreadable.

I dropped my gaze and stayed quiet.

People change—especially when their hearts get crushed.

"If you apologize to Sofia and admit you were wrong, the wedding goes on as planned."

He said it slowly, like he knew he was pushing it.

I froze, then smiled sweetly. "Alright. I'll apologize. I won't upset either of you again."

Adriano nodded, satisfied—but something flickered behind his eyes.

He could tell something was off. He just didn't know what.

Right then, one of his capos—Paolo—pushed in. "Don, your madre's here."

Adriano set the bottle down and stood. "Madre, what are you doing here?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Caterina snapped. "I had to see for myself how that bugiarda, that fake pregnancy con artist, still has the nerve to cling to you!"

My heart clenched. I gripped the sheets, and the pain in my fingers was nothing compared to the stab in my chest.

"Please don't talk about Cassie like that," Adriano said, trying to steady her.

"Enough!" she snapped. "She's a bugiarda! Faking a pregnancy! She humiliated the Family! How is a woman like that worthy of you?"

"Madre..." Adriano's voice dropped. "I know you don't like Cassie, but marrying her was Nonna's dying wish."

"So what if it was?" she shot back. "Are you really gonna throw your future away for a dead woman's wish? If you still consider me your madre, you'll end this engagement. Now."

Adriano said nothing.

I thought he'd agree. He hated me so much, despised me so deeply.

But then he spoke, voice firm. "Madre, I'm sorry. I won't cancel the engagement. Cassie will be my only wife in this lifetime."

Caterina trembled with rage and stormed out.

Adriano stayed at the doorway, his face a mess of emotions.

Sofia strolled in, all fake sweetness, holding a cup of meds. "Cassie, time for your medicine."

My stomach dropped. I knew that cup—hell in liquid form.

"I'm not drinking it," I said, low but firm.

Adriano scowled. "Don't be difficult. It's for your own good."

"I said no!" My voice cracked, panic spiking.

His face turned cold. "What game is this now?"

Sofia stayed soft, still holding the cup like some saint. "Let her be, Adriano. If she doesn't want it, don't push."

"She can't keep this up," he snapped, eyes locking on me. "Apologize to Sofia. Cut the crap."

"I'm not making trouble!" I begged, voice cracking.

He didn't care. Just grabbed my hand and shoved the cup at me.

In the struggle, my bandage slipped, exposing the shredded mess underneath.

Adriano froze, eyes wide. "What... What happened to you?"

Sofia's gasp was sharp and fake. "Oh my God, Cassie. Hurting yourself just for sympathy?"

"Cassie..." Adriano's face went steel-blue. "You've let me down too much."

He ripped his hand from mine and stormed out with Sofia. His voice cut through the hall, ice-cold: "Don't bother with her! If she dies from pain, she deserves it!"

I stared at the closed door, a weird calm settling over me.

Slowly, I climbed onto the windowsill, staring at the drop below. Five stories. One jump. Done.

Outside, Adriano stepped out just in time to see me at the window. His face flipped. "Cassie! What are you doing?!

"Please, don't—"

The face that had always looked at me with disgust was now twisted with panic.

I shut my eyes and jumped.

His scream ripped through the air. "Cassie!"