Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9: Focus on What's Important!

Adriano was still in the bathroom, cleaning himself, and the maids had thrown out his blood-drenched shirt.

He had asked me to join him, but I declined. Instead, I stayed on the bed and fumbled with a locket containing a photo of my family. Adriano had seen it a couple of times, but he didn't know what was in the pendant.

My phone rang, and I saw Maria's name on the screen. We didn't say much to each other after she forced me into marriage with Adriano. I understood her desperation to avenge my father and her family. But I didn't want to have to get married to do that. I was scared that I'd end up carrying the child of my father's murderer. Thank goodness for birth control pills.

I put my chain with the locket around my neck and stepped out of the house into the garden. I called her back, and she picked up. I stayed silent, expecting her to break the silence, and she did as expected.

"Don't be so petty, Serena," she spoke through the phone. I