Chapter 4

The weekend brought the Thompson family's monthly council meeting.

Early in the morning, Kieran stood at the bedroom door, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Get ready. We're leaving."

I put down my cup. "I'm not feeling well."

"That wasn't a request, Scarlett," his voice was hard. "As a member of the Thompson family, you are obligated to attend."

Half an hour later, I was in the passenger seat as Kieran drove, focused on the road.

I, who was usually so talkative, now leaned against the window in silence.

Ever since I had avoided his embrace that night, he had been watching me thoughtfully, as if trying to decipher something.

"Scarlett," he began suddenly. "Last night you..."

His phone rang, cutting him off.

The moment he answered, Camilla's terrified sobs filled the car.

"Kieran, there are people making trouble outside my apartment. I'm so scared..."

"I'm hiding in the bedroom, I don't dare to come out. They keep banging on the door..."

Kieran's face changed in an instant.

His usually cold, calm eyes were now filled with panic.

"Don't go out. Lock the doors and windows and wait for me. I'm on my way!"

"Kieran," I tried to stop him. "Today's meeting is important..."

"Camilla is in danger," he cut me off coldly. "The old estate is only a few miles from here. I have an emergency to handle. You can walk."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

He knew how important the family meeting was. How could he abandon everything, abandon me, for her?

I gripped the door handle, refusing to get out.

"This is an important meeting. The family Capos will all be there. I don't care what you do on any other day, but today, you need to show some respect."

"If Camilla is being harassed, she should call her bodyguards, not you. I can send some of our soldati to protect her. You don't need to rush off like this, regardless of your feelings for her."

The atmosphere in the car froze. "Are you questioning my decision? We're just friends. There's no 'caring' involved."

"I have to go. You can handle things at the old estate."

With that, he got out of the car and walked around to my side.

"Get out."

In the end, I was forced out of the car.

The black sedan sped off, leaving me alone at a desolate intersection under the scorching sun.

I pulled out my phone and saw there was no signal.

Only two months left. Why couldn't he just endure it for a little while longer?

I gave a self-mocking laugh, imagining how the people at the old estate would humiliate me.

The Thompson family estate occupied an entire mountain, with the old family home situated on the mountainside.

The road was deserted.

The July sun was brutal. My high heels made every step on the uneven gravel road a struggle.

I hadn't even gone a mile before a heel snapped.

I had no choice but to take off my shoes and walk barefoot on the hot, sharp stones.

Every step was like walking on knives, and my feet were soon raw and bleeding.

Sweat mixed with blood, soaking through my dress.

I don't know how long it took, but I finally arrived at the old estate, a complete mess.

I was drenched in sweat, my feet were caked with blood, and my hair was plastered to my face.

All the Capos turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of emotions.

Some were sympathetic, some gloating, but most were disdainful.

Kieran's mother, the current Donna of the Thompson family, walked over and frowned at me.

"Scarlett, what happened to you? Where is Kieran?"

I wrapped myself in the towel a servant handed me and said nothing.

Kieran's mother took a deep breath, trying to control her anger. "Alright, alright, just go clean yourself up. Don't stand here embarrassing the Thompson family."

A servant led me away to tend to my wounds and wash off the blood.

When I returned, Kieran's mother glanced at the main gate, then shot me a look of pure exasperation.

"I don't care what you two do in private, but this is a family meeting. The Capos of every branch are here. By showing up alone, are you trying to announce to everyone that your marriage is a disaster? That you can't even hold on to your husband? "

"Are you trying to humiliate the Thompson family in front of the other Five Families?"

I just lowered my head in silence, listening to the scolding.

I endured the scornful gazes and whispers of the Capos around me.

"The Valerio girl can't even keep her husband on a leash. How amusing."

"I heard that Russo woman is back... she's Kieran's true love..."

"Look at the state of her. I almost feel sorry for her."

This ordeal lasted for over an hour before Kieran finally arrived.

With Camilla.

He was carefully supporting her as she clung to his arm, pressing close.

"Sorry I'm late," Kieran said without a hint of apology, seating Camilla in the chair on his other side.

Everyone's position at a family meeting is determined by bloodline and status. This was a direct slap in the face.

He never once looked at me, nor did he notice my blood-stained feet.

Once the meeting began, Kieran focused on discussing family business with the other Capos.

Camilla, meanwhile, would periodically show a frightened expression, and each time, Kieran would gently pat her hand to comfort her.

I kept my head down, taking notes, a forced smile on my face.

Halfway through the meeting, he noticed Camilla was uncomfortable with the thick cigar smoke in the room.

"Open the window wider. Let Camilla get some air," he instructed a servant.

"Thank you, Kieran," Camilla smiled shyly at him. "The smell of cigars in here is a bit strong."

At her words, he immediately had the ventilation system adjusted.

However, because of my pregnancy, the draft made the rich smell of Cuban cigars even more pungent.

Mixed with the colognes and whiskeys of the various Capos, the scent washed over me in a nauseating wave.

I stopped writing, my stomach churning as acid rose in my throat.

The nausea was overwhelming.

For the first time, I rudely dropped my papers, covered my mouth, and rushed into the hallway, where I began to dry heave.

Tears welled in my eyes, and my face turned red.

I pressed a hand to my chest, leaning against the wall as I retched.

Several Capos saw me through the glass door and began to exchange knowing glances.

"Scarlett looks just like my wife did when she was pregnant. You don't think she's actually expecting, do you?"

"I was thinking the same thing! Being so sensitive to smells..."

Hearing this, Kieran's face turned grim.

His expression turned murderous, and the air around him went cold.

Forgetting Camilla beside him, he turned to me and gripped my wrist tightly.

He gripped my wrist, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Are you pregnant?"