Chapter 1
Sylvia's POV:
Cassiano walked ahead of me, his dress shoes striking the marble floor of Moretti Medical Center with dull thuds.
I slipped the plain wedding band into my coat pocket and followed him one step at a time.
When we reached the car, the driver opened the door. Cassiano turned and put one hand over the doorframe to shield my head as I slid into the back seat.
That instinctive courtesy had once made me feel completely safe. Now it cut deeper than any deliberate cruelty.
The car was silent until a vibration shattered the stillness.
Cassiano's phone lit up with a video call from Elena Carter. He made no attempt to hide it from me before answering.
A young, pale face appeared on the screen, tears clinging to the corners of Elena's eyes.
"Cassiano, my stomach hurts a little. Is something wrong with the baby?"
His expression softened at once. "Don't be scared. I'm coming over now. Take a deep breath and ask the housekeeper to bring you some warm water."
He soothed her patiently for five minutes, ending the call only after she had stopped crying and started smiling.
I watched the streets recede beyond the window, one hand resting on the slight curve of my belly. My husband was worrying over the child another woman was carrying. The scene felt so unreal that I could barely process it.
"Wednesday at 8 a.m., I'll have security take you to the hospital."
Cassiano put his phone away and turned to me.
"You're not coming with me?" I asked, looking him in the eye.
"Elena has her 4D ultrasound that day. Crowded hospitals make her nervous, so I need to be there with her."
I said nothing.
It had taken years of pain and disappointment before I finally became pregnant during our seven-year marriage. Cassiano had once rested his head against my stomach, listened to the fetal heartbeat, and called our baby the most precious gift the Moretti family had ever received.
Now that gift had become an obstacle he couldn't wait to remove.
"The appointments don't actually conflict," I said softly. "At Moretti Medical Center, the procedure room and the ultrasound suite are on the same floor."
Cassiano frowned, apparently annoyed by what he saw as me being unreasonable.
"Elena is sensitive. If she finds out you're having the procedure next door, she'll feel guilty. That kind of stress isn't good for her baby."
"She'll feel guilty?" I repeated, nausea twisting my stomach.
He was worried about Elena feeling guilty, yet it had never occurred to him to wonder how I was supposed to walk through the door of that procedure room on Wednesday morning.
"Sylvia, don't make a scene."
He reached for my shoulder. I shifted closer to the car door and avoided his hand.
His hand hung in the air for a second before he withdrew it.
"I know this hurts," he said, his voice gentler. "I'll compensate you. The villa on the south side of town and 5% of the shares in my name will be transferred to you tomorrow."
A villa and a sliver of equity in exchange for my child's life. He had really put a price on it.
The car passed through the gates of Moretti Estate.
The housekeeper came out to meet us, followed by several staff members carrying cardboard boxes.
"Mr. Moretti. Mrs. Moretti."
Cassiano nodded and told the housekeeper, "Clear out the south-facing room on the second floor. Replace the wallpaper with something warm-toned, and make sure all the furniture has rounded corners."
That was my nursery.
I had spent a month choosing the paint myself. I had painted the walls pale blue and covered them with birds and clouds. I had even sent someone to Valdora three times to get the hand-carved crib I wanted.
"That's my room."
I stared at him, searching his face for even the slightest sign of emotion.
"Elena said she wants to see where I live in a few days. Strong smells make her sick right now, and that room has the best ventilation."
He made the arrangements as if there were nothing to explain.
I stood at the foot of the stairs and watched the staff enter the nursery, dismantle the crib I had bought, and carry it out in pieces. New wallpaper was pasted over the birds I had painted with my own hands.
I didn't stop them. My whole body was trembling beyond my control. Just like that, he had decided what would happen to my child and my nursery, as if neither one mattered.
I knew arguing wouldn't change anything. It would only give Cassiano another reason to accuse me of losing control of my emotions.
He mistook my silence for acceptance.
He came over and straightened my coat collar. "You're always so understanding. Go upstairs and rest. I need to check on Elena."
Then he turned and headed for the car waiting in the courtyard.
I went back to the bedroom and shut the door. Pulling out my phone, I called the family attorney.
"Mrs. Moretti?"
"It's me."
I looked at my pale reflection in the mirror. "I've decided what to do about what you told me last week. Bring the documents tomorrow."
