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 me. 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.]
JOh, 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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Chapter S
Old Mr. Mancuso’s emotions, suppressed for far too long, finally erupted. He pointed at Leonardo, voice trembling with
rage.
“Your mistress ran over Sofia and forced her into premature labor. The baby suffocated inside her before it even had a
chance to be saved. Her grandmother died from the shock.”
“Leonardo, every bit of this is your doing!”
Leonardo stood frozen, disbelief written all over his face. He looked around, then let out a derisive laugh. He tore the
divorce papers into shreds.
“Grandfather, you’re too old to be playing along with Sofia’s little theatrics.”
“I don’t believe for a second she’d dare divorce me. She’d never walk away from the power and wealth of the Mancuso
family.
He kicked the funeral arrangement aside.
“Putting these gloomy things in the house… really? Just because you’re mad I didn’t come home to see the kid?”
“Well, I’m here now. Where’s my child? Bring him to me. Did you name him yet? Does he look like me or like Sofia?”
Leonardo whistled a low, dissonant tune as he glanced around. But every servant kept their head lowered, faces weighted.
with sorrow.
No one answered him. A prickle of unease slid through Leonardo’s chest. He started searching the estate room after
room. But nothing was found.
And his voice, once arrogant, began to falter.
“Where are you hiding my child? Grandfather, I know I went too far last time. I shouldn’t have laid hands on Sofia.”
“But she gave birth. Do you really think she’d still divorce me? Just tell me where she is. I’ll go apologize and coax her
back.”
He didn’t spare a thought for Sofia’s pain. He never had.
Leonardo believed Sofia couldn’t leave him. No matter how cruel he was, she always swallowed her dignity for her
grandmother’s sake.
And now they had a child. Another anchor to drag her back to the depths. He was certain she wouldn’t divorce him Even
more certain she wouldn’t leave.
Old Mr. Mancuso raised his cane and struck Leonardo across the back with all his strength.
