Chapter 4

Now Veronica was thinking about what Bianca had said. If Belladonna could bear Dominic's child, then Bianca wouldn't need to marry him, and they would have a good relationship. Never mind debts, their business would surely run smoothly because they already had a connection.

It was indeed the right decision to adopt Belladonna and make her their second daughter because now she was so useful to them.

“All right, your idea is a good one. I will ask her to discuss this immediately. You don't need to stress about anything. Just focus on your career.”

“I trust you, Mom. Now call Bella and tell her. They just got married, so this is her chance to have Dominic's child.” 

The whole issue surely would be resolved if Bella got pregnant with Dominic's child, she thought. She wholeheartedly agreed with Bianca's idea. That was exactly what should happen. Belladonna was his wife, so it was the right thing for her to bear his child.

After she talked to Bianca, she decided to call Belladonna right away to discuss it with her.

*****

Belladonna was sitting by the window in the small, cramped warehouse she was currently staying in. The air blew cool from the window, and she really enjoyed her solitude. Although it was cramped, it was comfortable enough for her.

She didn't go out because she was afraid. It was her first day in the house, so she didn't want to run into any trouble. It was better for her to spend her time writing down everything she did so that she could remember what she had been through in that house if she ever forgot.

The ringing of her cell phone caught her attention. She put her book and pen on the table. Before answering the call from her adoptive mother, she paused and took a deep breath. She was uncertain what her mother wanted, and she was somewhat anxious to hear it.

“What is it, Mom?”

“You have to come home tomorrow,” her mother said without further explanation or inquiry about her well-being.

“I can't promise, because I have to get permission from Dominic.”

“Come home with your husband, Bella. You're married, so you have to be together.”

“I don't think he'll want to, Mom.”

“Persuade him to come home with you. You're his wife, aren't you? So you have to be able to get him to come home with you.”

“But, Mom…” She was indeed his wife. But she was only a wife who was overlooked in every way by Dominic.

“There are no buts, Bella. Your father also wants to talk to him, so you have to get him to come home. Beg him until he agrees. As the daughter I adopted and raised, it’s time for you to show your gratitude and not disappoint me.” Veronica’s words made her heart ache because it felt like she had raised her as if she had no choice.

“I'm not sure,” Belladonna muttered softly.

“Do it, Bella. Invite Dominic to have lunch together. I will wait for the two of you.” Without waiting for her answer, Veronica ended the conversation. 

She was confident that Belladonna would invite Dominic home. No matter what, Belladonna had to go home with Dominic. It would be an opportunity for them to discuss business with him because he was the one who could advance their business again.

A sigh of resignation escaped Belladonna's lips as she put her phone back in her pocket. Truthfully, she was hesitant to find Dominic and ask him. She already knew what would happen. But could she refuse her mother's request?

If she could choose, she wouldn't want to. But considering the huge debt of gratitude she owed the Marino family, she had no choice but to do what her mother told her to do.

“You can do it, Bella. He won't devour you, trust yourself!” She encouraged herself before leaving the room to find Dominic.

*****

Bianca's portrait hung proudly in the living room. Dominic stood beneath it, gazing at her. She was indeed breathtakingly beautiful. Her tall, slender figure was hard to take one's eyes off. Her beauty had captivated him, making him instantly fall head over heels for her.

To get Bianca, he offered Phillip Marino a sum of money to help him advance his business. He did this on purpose so that Phillip would owe him, because he wanted Bianca in return.

He secretly used his power to pressure Phillip's company, causing it to suffer multiple failures so that Phillip would be unable to pay his debts. His plan went smoothly. Phillip was truly unable to repay the money he borrowed, and even the interest on his debt had ballooned. Because of that, Dominic asked for Bianca as he wanted, but what did he get?

He turned around as Belladonna mustered up the courage to approach him. What he wanted was Bianca, but what he got was that adopted child of unknown origin.

Belladonna lowered her head; she was frightened to meet his gaze. No matter how one looked at it, he clearly was crazy about her sister. It was undeniable that almost all men were captivated by Bianca's beauty, and Dominic was no different from those men.

The menacing stare he shot her made her heart sink. However, she had to be brave because she wanted to tell him something. Her mother's wish had to be fulfilled, otherwise she would be furious and disappointed in her.

“C-can we talk for a moment?” asked Belladonna, who had stopped walking because she didn't dare to get too close to him.

“Talk to you?” Dominic turned around and looked back at the large portrait of Bianca. “I don't think we have anything to talk about,” he said again.

“Of course there is. My parents want to take you out to lunch. Can you come home with me tomorrow?”

“Do you think I'm willing to go back with you and make small talk with your parents?” he sneered, and she knew it.

“It's not what I want. If it were not for my mother asking, I would not have invited you back.”

“Oh, so you wouldn't have done it if it weren't for your mother asking? You really think you're so high and mighty in my eyes.” He spun around to face her again as he stepped closer towards her.

“No. I didn't mean it that way.” Belladonna lowered her head even further.

“Take a good look at yourself! Are you worthy of asking me for anything?” He stopped in front of Belladonna.

She was shocked when he grasped her chin and looked at her with a chillingly menacing expression. He was so brutal, and she hadn’t expected that at all.

“Don’t think for a second that you’re doing your mother a favor and won’t ever have to ask me for anything. Believe me, I will make you kneel at my feet to ask me for something!" His tone was cold and dark. He did not hesitate to show his disgust for Belladonna.

“Can you not be like this? My chin hurts,” she pleaded weakly.

“Ugh, you're just dirtying my hands!” He shoved her chin away and stepped back. Reaching for a handkerchief to wipe his hands as if he had just touched some disgusting dirt.

“It's just lunch, can you come home with me?” She tried again because she had to take Dominic home.

“What if I don't want to? What will you do? Will you kneel at my feet and beg until I agree to come home with you?”

“What?”

She looked at him with a sadly pleading look. If she knelt at his feet, would he be willing to go home with her?

“Why? Didn't I tell you that I would make you kneel at my feet if you wanted something? So now do it, and if you do, maybe I'll consider it!”

Belladonna lowered her head, trying to fight back her tears. She knew what she had to do if she didn't want to disappoint her mother. She had to repay her debt to the Marino family at all costs.

“Beg me as you kiss the dirt off my shoes!” He then dropped the handkerchief he had been holding onto the floor. He wanted to see if she would do as he ordered or not.