The next morning, before the sun had fully bathed the estate in light, I heard a sharp knock on my door."The Madre requests your presence in the living room. Immediately," a guard said, his tone leaving no room for refusal.I had just stepped out of the shower, my hair still dripping.But the matriarch of the Falcieri family doesn't wait for anyone.I dressed quickly and descended the spiral staircase.In the living room, Caius was feeding imported cherries to Livia, one by one. She was half-reclined on the leather sofa, her pregnant belly prominent.As if she were already the Donna of this house.Caius's hand froze mid-air when he saw me enter."Alessia, you look pale," he said, rising and walking toward me, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"The Madre scoffed. "Why wouldn't she look rested? She bears none of the weight. Unlike our Livia, who barely slept, worrying over the little Don in her womb."Her gaze was as sharp as a knife. "Alessia, after you
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