Chapter 1

(Chloe’s POV)

I dialed Don's number.

I tried to keep my voice steady as I said, "I’m willing to leave Leonardo Ferraro. But I have one condition: I want you to send me to a place where he’ll never find me."

On the other end of the line, Don Liam Ferraro let out a satisfied laugh. "If you had recognized this sooner, things would have been different. After spending a night in Black Gate, you’ve finally realized your place. A girl like you, an orphan, is not worthy of marrying the heir of the Ferraro family."

His voice was full of disdain.

"In five days, at the family banquet, we’ll make all the arrangements for you to leave. At that time, you’d better never show up before Leonardo again."

The phone call suddenly ended, and I leaned against the cold wall of the mansion.

In the hall, Leonardo gently let his daughter, Ella Ferraro, tug at his curly hair.

Zoe leaned against his shoulder, a smile of tenderness and satisfaction on her face.

This perfect family of three looked so happy and complete.

The sight before me felt like a bullet shot straight into my chest.

"Miss Hayes, you’re back?" Zoe Johnson was the first to notice me.

Immediately, she shielded Ella behind her, telling a servant to take the child upstairs.

Their wary gazes pierced through me, sharp as knives.

The man who had once said, "I will only acknowledge the child you carry," now looked at me as if I were a murderer.

Once Ella was taken away, Leonardo approached, reaching out to check on me.

He asked, "You’re back? Did you get hurt in Black Gate?"

Looking at the man who had once taken 99 lashes for me, bitterness welled up in my chest. I avoided his touch.

He furrowed his brow. "Chloe Hayes, you know the situation from last night. The more I protect you, the harsher the punishment from my father. With your background, they might even handle you... secretly."

"We’ll be leaving soon, I don’t want any more complications. And Ella is innocent. Why did you—"

"I told you, I didn’t do it," I shouted, tears welling in my eyes. "Ella is allergic to pollen! How could I use such a thing to harm her?"

Leonardo seemed startled by my intense reaction. He paused for a moment before softening his tone. "Alright, alright, it’s over now. As long as Ella’s fine."

His voice had that indulgent tone, as if I were a naughty child.

He still didn’t believe me.

As we stood there in tense silence, Zoe walked over, gently touching her slightly rounded belly.

"Miss Hayes, I owe you an apology. I was panicking at the time. You don’t understand a mother’s instinct to protect her child."

She lifted a hand to brush back a strand of hair, her gemstone bracelet gleaming with a blue light.

My mind went blank. Instinctively, I grabbed her wrist. "Where did you get that bracelet?"

"I gave her that. Zoe likes classic jewelry," he answered casually, pulling my hand away. "Consider it a peace offering for you. Besides, it’s just a bracelet."

I trembled with anger. "This is the only keepsake my mother left me! How could you just give it away? Do you know how important it is to me?"

I reached out to snatch it back, but Zoe suddenly stumbled back a few steps, clutching her belly and groaning in pain. "My belly..."

Leonardo immediately pushed me away roughly, his eyes turning extremely cold: "Chloe, she's pregnant with my child. Haven't you caused enough trouble?" "

His force was so strong that I plopped down on the ground and hit the back of my head against a corner of the table.

But Leonardo didn’t even glance back at me. He hurriedly picked up Zoe and rushed out, his arms around her.

"Leonardo..." Zoe leaned into his embrace, her voice weak. "Our baby... will be okay, right?"

"Don’t worry, I’m here," he soothed gently, each word feeling like a needle in my ears. "You’ll be fine, and the baby will be fine."