Chapter 2

The day Antonio came home, I was already downstairs having breakfast.

He carried a large bouquet of white roses and a Tiffany blue box in his hands as he rushed through the door, his face full of apology. "Sorry, baby. The dinner ran way too late last night. I couldn't make it back."

When we married, he promised that no matter how busy he got, he would never stay out all night. However, over the past six months, he had been coming home later and later. Last night, he did not come home at all.

I set down my knife and fork and looked up at him. His suit, shirt, and tie had all been changed. He smelled clean and crisp. It was Creed's Aventus. How thoughtful of the Don to be so meticulous.

He set the flowers down and walked over to kiss me. "Elena, I swear, this is the first time and the last time."

I raised my hand to stop him and asked, "You stayed at the Rizzo estate last night?"

Antonio did not hesitate for even a moment. "Yes. Look, the clothes I changed into are all from the ones you prepared for me at the old house."

He gripped my shoulders and looked at me carefully. "Are you angry? I'll spend the whole day with you today. I won't handle family business, okay?"

I looked at him too. I looked at my own reflection in his deep blue eyes.

His gaze did not waver or dodge. There was not a trace of guilt. I could hide my heartbreak just as well. "I'm not angry."

I pushed his hand away. "Eat your breakfast first."

Yet as soon as he sat down, his phone rang. I saw him frown and decline, but it rang again almost immediately. He hesitated for a few seconds, then declined it again. Right after, a message came through.

After Antonio read it, his brows furrowed tight.

"Elena, there's something urgent with the family."

"Go ahead."

"Forget it. I'll have Luca handle it first. I promised to spend the whole day with you," he said, but he was clearly distracted.

"It's alright. Family business is more important. Go."

I looked at him calmly. Even my aching heart had gone numb.

Antonio only hesitated for a moment before standing up. "I'll try to come back early to be with you."

I made a sound of agreement and watched him hurry to his car and leave. Only then did I belatedly wipe the cold tears from my face.

I called my best friend. "Sofia, can you schedule a checkup for me at your hospital? Today."

When the test results came back, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

My body was healthy, and I was not pregnant. When I married Antonio, my health was very poor, so we never tried for children. However, just to be safe, I still did a thorough examination.

"Doctor, how is my body recovering now?"

After receiving a positive answer, I felt the heavy weight in my chest lift by more than half.

I clutched the report and walked out. Just as I turned the corner in the hallway, I happened to hear Antonio's name.

"Antonio, if I really am pregnant, can I keep the baby and raise it myself?"

I stopped in my tracks and looked at the two people not far away.

Antonio held a cigar between his fingers. His brows were locked tight, and he looked somewhat impatient.

The blonde lady wore no makeup. Her face was streaked with tears, and she tugged at his sleeve as she swayed and begged.

Antonio laughed coldly. "My wife hasn't even had a child yet. What makes you think it's your turn?"

"But this is my first baby. I can't bear to lose it. I promise I'll be good. I won't cause you any trouble, and I'll never let your wife know I or the baby exist."

Antonio's hand holding the cigar patted her face. "Don't be naive, sweetheart. There's no way I'm letting you have my child. Be good. Don't make a scene and I'll buy you another place on Lacon Hill.

"But if you insist on making trouble, Caterina, let me be clear. Your school is full of beautiful, obedient girls. I could sleep with a different one every day without breaking a sweat. You're not irreplaceable."

Caterina was cowed by his few words. Her face went pale, and tears hung on her cheeks. "Don, I was wrong. I'll be good. Please, Antonio, don't leave me."

"Good girl. Go get the test done."

"I'll go. It's just that you said before that your wife's health is too poor to have children. If I really am pregnant, just think of it as me having the baby for her. The baby can be raised by her too. I promise I won't let her know I exist, okay?"

Antonio was silent for a moment. "Get the test first. We'll talk after the results."

Caterina went in, still crying and sobbing as she pushed through the door.

Antonio finished his cigar and stubbed it out. When he turned around, I pretended I had just walked up.

When he saw me, he seemed to freeze for a moment. However, he quickly put on a tense, worried expression. "Baby, why are you at the hospital? Are you sick or did you get hurt somewhere?"