Chapter 4
I didn’t know how long I had been unconscious. Leonardo’s shouting and old Mr. Mancuso’s angry retorts
dragged me back awake.
Only then did I realize I had been brought to the hospital again. The moment I opened my eyes, Leonardo
released a breath, relieved.
He shot an irritated glare at his grandfather. “This is the wife you picked for me? Not even out of postpartum
recovery and she’s already sneaking off to meet some other guy.”
Old Mr. Mancuso trembled with fury. “Meeting some guy? Do you have any idea where Sofia went
yesterday…”
“Mr. Mancuso.” I cut him off gently. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
He understood immediately and swallowed his words, though disappointment clouded his expression as he
looked at Leonardo.
Leonardo waved them off with complete indifference. “She’s awake. My job is done. Isabella is waiting for
- I’m leaving.”
Old Mr. Mancuso slammed his cane against Leonardo’s arm.
“You monster. I don’t care where you go today, but tomorrow you will come to the old estate with Sofia and
Before he finished, Leonardo had already walked out, vanishing through the doorway.
The old man let out a long, exhausted sigh. His back looked even more bent than before. He handed me a
stack of documents. A completed divorce agreement.
“Sofia,” he said hoarsely, “it was my failure to raise him properly. But that child was your flesh and blood. I hope… you’ll accompany him for his last journey.”
I looked at the elderly man with snow-white hair, and no matter how much my heart ached, I couldn’t refuse
him.
The next morning, dressed in black, I arrived at the Mancuso family’s estate. This child had cost me my life to bring into the world. Yet I never even got to hold him.
I brushed away a tear from the corner of my eye. Perhaps this was mercy. Without ties, I could finally walk
away.
I had exhausted everything I had in this marriage. Leaving now meant only weariness, not regret.
I waited until the burial was complete. Leonardo never showed. But I did see photos of him and Isabella
trending online as they tried on couture bridal gowns.
Moments later, Isabella sent me a message, smugness dripping from every word.
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[So what if you gave birth? At the end of the day, Leonardo chose me.]
[Oh, and by the way, did you think Leonardo was the one watching over you while you were unconscious?]
[He was with me the whole time. We even tried new positions on the hospital bed next door.]
In the video, my pale, lifeless face appeared beside Isabella’s glowing, flushed one.
I answered nothing. I simply forwarded every message and video to old Mr. Mancuso. Then I removed my
wedding ring.
Holding my grandmother’s urn close, I whispered, “We’re leaving this purgatory, Nonna.”
Night had fallen when Leonardo finally stumbled back to the estate, drowned in the scent of expensive
scotch and sin.
He opened the door and froze at the sight of the funeral lilies and black drapery filling the hall.
“Who died? Was it Sofia’s grandmother?”
He paled, panic flashing across his face.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me something this serious? Where’s Sofia? She must be devastated. I need to
comfort her.”
Old Mr. Mancuso snapped. He hurled the divorce papers right at Leonardo’s face.
“Sofia already left with her grandmother’s ashes. You missed your son’s interment, you coward!”
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