Chapter 1

Five years ago, I defied Dad, gave up my place as the Calderone family's Principessa, and ran away with Stefano Calderone.I had believed we would love each other for the rest of our lives. Now, all that remained was a heart gone cold.Today was our son, Niccolo Calderone's fourth birthday. I made the cake early and sat with him on the living room rug, waiting from sunset until the night grew deep and still.His eyes shone with anticipation as he kept asking, "Mommy, will Daddy come home and blow out the candles with me?"I ran my hand over his soft hair. "He will. He just has work to finish. Once he's done, he'll come home and celebrate with you."Even as I said it, I knew how hollow those words sounded.I knew Stefano wouldn't come. His time had always belonged to Camilla Bianchi first.The candles burned down and were replaced. The food was cooled and then reheated.Niccolo couldn't hold out any longer. Clutching his stuffed toy, he leaned against my shoulder and called fo

Chapter 2

Things went more smoothly than I had imagined.Dad's voice still echoed in my ears after I hung up. Five years of distance hadn't erased our relationship, and my eyes stung at the thought of that.When Dad learned that I was coming back and that he had a grandson, he couldn't hide the urgency and joy in his tone. He said everything had already been arranged and that someone would set out immediately to bring us home.No matter what happened, my family would always be my safety net.I leaned against the window and watched Niccolo chasing butterflies in the courtyard below. Even so, worry lingered in my heart.He was only five, and he had adored Stefano since he was little.He would often cup his face in his hands and ask me when Stefano would take him out to play. That wish had stayed with him for so long.I couldn't bear to crush it, so I had still been waiting these past few days, hoping Stefano would come and spend a little time with him.I hadn't expected Stefano's driver to

Chapter 3

It didn't take long for Stefano's apology to arrive.He said he wanted to take Niccolo and me to the mansion in the suburbs for a short getaway, that it was his way of making up for the way he had treated us lately.I was ready to refuse, but Niccolo agreed before I could.Ever since we returned from the banquet, Niccolo had stopped mentioning Stefano altogether. Instead, he quietly helped me pack our bags.I knew what he was doing. He wanted to give Stefano one more chance. If nothing else, it would be a goodbye.So I nodded and said nothing.On the day we were leaving, Niccolo woke up early. Before the sun was even fully up, he was already pressed to the window, waiting for Stefano.I could see how nervous he was.When the black Bentley finally came into view, Niccolo grabbed my hand and ran out, only to see Camilla sitting in the front passenger seat.Stefano was carefully supporting her pregnant belly.The light in Niccolo's eyes faded instantly. He let go of my hand and

Chapter 4

Stefano's smile froze. His pupils shrank as he grabbed the man by the collar and demanded sharply, "What did you just say? Say it again!"He stood there, stunned, as the noise of the celebration seemed to drain away. News that there were no survivors echoed in his head again and again, locking him in place.Camilla quickly wrapped her arms around Stefano to steady him."N-No… That can't be!"He shoved her off so abruptly that she stumbled backward. She clutched her stomach, her face turning pale as tears sprang to her eyes.Stefano's father, Marcelino Calderone, stepped forward to steady her. "Stefano, it's your wedding day. What do you think you're doing?""My wife… and my son…" Stefano uttered hoarsely.He then turned abruptly. "I'm going to find them!""Stefano, don't go…"Camilla chased after him, her voice breaking as she grabbed his sleeve, her fingers trembling faintly. "I know you're hurting, but I'm carrying your baby. What am I supposed to do if you leave now? What w

Chapter 5

The wind over international waters carried a sharp, salty chill. Stefano's ship had drifted at sea for half a month, but all they recovered were scattered pieces of the cruise liner and floating debris. There wasn't a single trace of Niccolo or me.He stood on the deck, staring at the endless horizon as regret flickered in his eyes. His fists tightened until his knuckles went white.He put out a massive reward. The offer spread across every coastal nation. Salvage crews and information brokers flooded in, eager for the money, yet none of them brought back anything useful.By the third week, a hacker approached Stefano with an encrypted file."Sir, the satellite surveillance data from the section of international waters where the cruise exploded was tampered with that day. The original data was uploaded to a classified server. I don't have the access level to crack it."Stefano's heart dropped. The coincidences told him that the explosion wasn't random.And once doubt took root,

Chapter 6

Six months later, Stefano finally traced us to a secluded seaside estate in Sirelia.He came almost overnight.For the past six months, he'd been living in regret. His condition had deteriorated, the Calderone family's territory had shrunk significantly, and family affairs had piled up without pause.None of it mattered even a fraction as much as seeing me again.The gates opened, and sunlight stretched across the lawn. It was nothing like the dark, oppressive atmosphere of the Calderone residence.As Stefano walked across the garden, he saw me from a distance.I was wearing a pale ivory dress, seated in a wicker chair on the terrace. The resentment that once clung to me was gone. I carried myself with a regal and gentle bearing—a far cry from the woman who used to swallow her pride in the Calderone family.Beside me sat a man in a dark, tailored suit, his presence distinguished and understated. The family crest at his cuff marked one of Sirelia's highest noble houses, a status