Semua Bab Pregnant and Abandoned at Death's Door: Bab 1 - Bab 8

I picked up a bill from the floor and threw Alessandro's family ring down in its place. "Keep the change. Consider it payment for this cheap piece of trash!""Hey! Come back! You took our money, but we didn't get a show!"Alessandro's crude remark triggered roaring laughter throughout the room.I clenched my jaw and my fists, then turned and left. Clearly no one took my threat seriously. Fine. They'd see soon enough what was coming for them.I barely made it back to my apartment before a vicious headache hit me. I had to call an ambulance to take me to the hospital.At first, I thought the ice-cold champagne had triggered some kind of nerve reaction. But then the nurse came in with my diagnostic report."The preliminary scan suggests you might have a brain tumor. What we know for certain is that you're almost three months pregnant."The universe had a sick sense of humor. The news hit me like a freight train. But there was no time to wallow. I frowned, trying to figure out my ne

I threw myself into the one-eyed man's arms and sobbed.He stroked my back the way he used to when I was little. "Don't do this, Monica. We followed your plan and saw exactly what kind of bastard he is. He's not worth your tears.""No, Uncle Sal. I'm crying for myself, for the soul that just died. I was naive enough to think Alessandro would waver because of the baby. I was such a fool."After I'd gotten it out of my system, my eyes hardened. I dialed a number I hadn't called in six months."Monica? Are you alright? So, you finally remembered your poor old father?" My father's voice sounded hoarse and worn."I'm sorry, Dad. I shouldn't have been so stubborn. The moment I stopped being a Columbo, I felt every cruelty this world had to offer.""I heard what happened to you. I even wondered if God was punishing me."He sighed heavily on the other end. "But if you're willing, I'll do whatever it takes to make the Pushkin family disappear from Melcina.""No, Dad. We should make them

The moment Ivan heard my name, surprise, sorrow, and reluctance flashed through his eyes. Then, he slowly released my arm.I guessed he must have heard my name before. The one Don Pushkin had mentioned, the woman about to become his future sister-in-law.While he stood there lost in thought, I quietly pushed open the door and left the record shop. It was one of the properties that had been part of my mother's wedding gift.But I felt no joy from my success.Compared to Alessandro, Ivan had a calm and elegant presence. The devotion in his eyes was genuine, not some passing infatuation. It was an obsession with his late wife, and something stirred inexplicably in my heart.When I returned home, I began preparing for the engagement party. The guest list the Pushkin family had submitted didn't include Cristina, which disappointed me slightly. But I figured they wanted to avoid complications with my engagement to Alessandro.The day of the engagement arrived, and guests arrived steadi

"The doctor told me if you want to keep this baby, they'll have to perform a C-section two months early. And you might not survive the surgery."Once my condition stabilized, the doctors allowed family visits.Dad sat at my bedside. After just one week, his voice had grown even more hoarse.When I didn't respond, he shook his head helplessly and continued, "That Pushkin brat is outside right now. He's begging me to let him see you.""Which one? Alessandro or Ivan?""If Alessandro dared show his face, he'd already be sleeping with the fishes."Dad's words made me smile despite everything."Let him in, Dad.""Alright. I'll be right outside." After his warning, Dad pushed through the door.When it opened again, Ivan entered with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, disheveled hair, and several days' worth of stubble on his jaw. The unkempt look only made him more attractive."Monica." He tried to keep his tone controlled, but worry bled through anyway."I think you know t