Chapter 6

Kieran didn't come home tonight either. It was our third wedding anniversary.

For the past two years, no matter what he was thinking, he had at least always gone through the motions on this day.

He wouldn't whisper sweet nothings, but he would still prepare a surprise for me.

He was a respectable Mafia heir, after all, and he always maintained the proper rituals.

Now that Camilla was back, he had thrown everything to the wind. He didn't care about the family alliance, nor about me, his wife in name only.

But it didn't matter. I would celebrate it one last time by myself, as a farewell.

I put on the white dress I wore at our engagement, lit candles in the dining room, and prepared a lavish dinner.

On the table were the same type of roses from our wedding and a bottle of 1995 Dom Pérignon.

I sat at one end of the long table, looking at the empty seat across from me.

Time ticked by, but Kieran never appeared.

At eight o'clock, the steak was completely cold.

I raised my champagne glass to the empty air and whispered, "To my freedom, to fearlessness, and to returning to the operating room."

The simplest of wishes, yet something I couldn't have right now.

I slowly ate the cold steak and drank the champagne, sip by sip, as if performing a final, solitary ritual.

After dinner, I was slightly tipsy and about to head upstairs when Kieran suddenly walked in.

He was alone, which was a surprise. I asked instinctively, "Where's Camilla?"

Kieran took off his custom Armani jacket and tossed it onto the Italian leather sofa. "The Russo family arranged a new safe house for her."

"She's no longer staying at the estate."

I was surprised. He didn't try to keep her this time?

Kieran walked to the dining table and saw the untouched feast I had prepared.

"What is all this?" he frowned. "Why so much food? It's such a waste."

I paused, glanced at the antique clock on the wall, imported from Italy, and then spoke slowly.

"Yesterday was our third wedding anniversary."

The hands of the clock swept past midnight. Our anniversary was over.

Kieran froze. He looked at the lilies of the valley on the table and the empty champagne bottle.

"Scarlett, I..." his voice trembled slightly. "I'm sorry. I completely forgot."

"Family security matters have been piling up. I've been swamped."

"I'll make it up to you in a few days."

He apologized sincerely, but I just shook my head, unfazed. "It's fine. Don't worry about it."

I knew he was just trying to maintain the pathetic illusion of our marriage. But now, whether he went through the motions or not, I didn't care at all.

With that, I went straight upstairs, leaving Kieran standing alone in the living room.

A few nights later, Kieran appeared before me, holding an exquisite invitation.

"I've booked all of Le Bernardin. We're celebrating our anniversary tonight."

The three-Michelin-star restaurant usually required reservations months in advance, but he had booked the entire place for us.

I sat at the beautifully decorated table, looking at him with some confusion.

I had no idea what this man was up to, so I just asked him directly.

"Did you and Camilla have a fight?" Was that why he suddenly had time to put on this show for me?

Kieran paused in the middle of cutting my steak, his brow furrowed.

"What does Camilla have to do with this? You're my wife. Isn't it only right for me to make up for our anniversary?"

Wife? What a joke.

"Wife? A wife in name only, one you haven't touched in three years?"

He was silent for a moment, then walked over to me and took a velvet jewelry box from his pocket.

Inside lay a priceless diamond necklace, sparkling under the lights.

"Scarlett, I know I've wronged you these past three years," his voice was soft. "Give me a chance to start over."

"I had my reasons for not touching you. You'll understand one day."

I understood. He had to remain celibate for Camilla.

I said nothing. Sensing my silence, he spoke again, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.

Kieran took a deep breath. "In one month, we'll start fulfilling our marital duties. It's time to produce an heir for the Thompson family."

I was completely stunned.

In one month, I would have already given birth to a stranger's baby. What would I need him for?

I just didn't understand why he, after being so stubborn for three years, had suddenly changed his mind.

Was it another round of pressure from the family? Or was it to protect Camilla, to prevent the elders from blaming her?

I stared at his face, trying to read his true intentions.

I couldn't help but want to ask, but his phone rang. The caller ID showed the family's Consigliere.

Kieran answered, his face instantly turning grim.

"What? How did the arms shipment get seized at the docks?"

"I'm on my way."

He hung up and looked at me apologetically. "Scarlett, something urgent came up. I have to..."

"Go," I waved my hand. "Business is important."

"I'll make it up to you with an even grander celebration next year."

I was left with the diamond necklace and a half-cut cake on the table.

Kieran, do you really think we have a next year?

I had the waiter clear away the table of untouched, fake romance and went straight back to the estate.

The days passed, and my due date grew closer.

Today was a routine checkup. I went to the clinic alone.

As I was leaving the exam room, I heard a familiar voice.

"Scarlett?"

I turned to see my medical school mentor, Professor Martinez.

"Professor, what are you doing here?"

"I'm visiting an old friend," he said, looking me up and down. "You're pregnant?"

I nodded.

"Where's that Thompson husband of yours? How come he's not with you?"

I didn't answer. Seeing my expression, my mentor let out a deep sigh.

"You were my most promising student, a natural at cardiac surgery."

"But you chose marriage. I thought you would be happy..."

I cut him off with a bitter smile. "I haven't held a scalpel in a long time."

The professor looked at me with regret, shaking his head in frustration.

I couldn't help but clutch the test results in my hand.

"I had no choice. It was a blood pact, and I couldn't defy my family."

"But the good news is, my family obligations are almost fulfilled. I'm preparing to leave this bloody world behind and reclaim my life." My smile was one of relief. "Do you think I still have a chance?"