Chapter 33: Alessandro

Isabella.

My dead wife sat across from me, alive and breathing.

I blinked hard, certain I was losing my mind.

"You're supposed to be dead."

The words came out strangled, barely audible.

She looked the same. Dark hair cascaded over her shoulders. Those green eyes that used to light up when she saw me.

Except now they held secrets.

"I know this is a shock—"

"A shock?" I stood up so fast that the chair scraped against the floor. "You've been dead for eight months!"

Several people turned to stare. Isabella's eyes darted around the café nervously.

"Please, sit down. We need to talk."

"We need to talk?" My voice was getting louder. "You let me bury an empty casket!"

"Alessandro, please."

The desperation in her voice cut through my rage. I sat back down, my hands shaking.

This had to be a dream. Or a nightmare.

"How?"

"It's complicated."

"Try me."

She glanced around again, then leaned forward.

"I found out my uncle was poisoning me. During my pregnancy."

The words hit me like a physical blow