I couldn't sleep.
The mansion was too big, too quiet.
Alessandro's side of the bed was empty — he had "business" late into the night.
I slipped out of bed, pulling on his discarded shirt.
It smelled like him — expensive cologne and danger.
I wandered the halls, bare feet silent on the marble.
A light was on in the study.
The door was ajar.
Voices.
Alessandro's — low, angry.
And... Matteo's.
I froze.
"...she's mine now," Alessandro said.
Matteo laughed softly. "Is she? She didn't look at you like that at the wedding."
My heart stopped.
"She looked at me like she wanted to be anywhere else."
Silence.
Then Matteo's voice, closer to the door.
"She looked at me like she remembered."
I backed away, but my foot caught the edge of a rug.
The door opened.
Matteo stood there, shirt unbuttoned, eyes dark.
"Liana."
Alessandro appeared behind him.
"What are you doing up?"
"I... couldn't sleep."
Matteo smiled — slow, knowing.
"Come in. Join us."
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
"It's late."
But Matteo stepped aside.
I shouldn't have gone in.
But I did.
They poured whiskey.
Talked business.
I sat on the couch, legs tucked under me.
Matteo sat too close.
His thigh brushed mine.
Alessandro noticed.
His eyes darkened.
The air was thick.
Tension.
Jealousy.
Desire.
Matteo leaned in, voice low.
"You look beautiful in his shirt."
Alessandro's glass cracked in his hand.
"Enough."
Matteo smiled.
"Just paying a compliment to my new sister-in-law."
I stood.
"Goodnight."
But Matteo caught my wrist.
His thumb brushed my pulse.
"You feel it too."
Alessandro was there in seconds, pulling me away.
"Touch her again and lose the hand."
Matteo laughed.
"Protective already, brother."
In our bedroom, Alessandro pushed me against the door.
His mouth on mine — hard, punishing.
Jealous.
I kissed back just as hard.
His hands ripped the shirt open.
Buttons flew.
He lifted me, carrying me to the bed.
Threw me down.
" You're mine."
He stripped fast.
Covered me with his body.
Entered me without warning.
I gasped, nails digging into his back.
He thrust hard, deep.
Claiming.
"You looked at him," he growled.
"No," I lied.
He bit my neck — not gentle.
I moaned.
"Liar."
He flipped me, taking me from behind.
Hand in my hair, pulling.
Other hand between my legs.
Pleasure built fast.
I came screaming.
He followed, growling my name.
After, he held me tight.
"No one touches you."
I didn't answer.
Because part of me remembered Matteo's touch.
And the secret inside me grew.
The baby kicked for the first time.
Matteo's baby.
The betrayal was just beginning.
And I was trapped in the middle.