Chapter 20. A Prison Called Home
658 Words
Several days later, the embryo transfer procedure was finally completed successfully.
Elena lay quietly on the hospital bed while the nurses carefully monitored her condition.
Everything felt unreal.
Cold.
Heavy.
Painful.
Dr. Marco Bellini adjusted his gloves calmly before speaking professionally.
“The procedure went well. We’ll monitor you closely for the next few weeks.”
Elena slowly nodded while staring blankly at the ceiling.
Inside her body now rested a child connected to Adrian forever.
And he didn’t even know the truth.
A few hours later, her phone suddenly rang.
Nina Calling…
Elena’s chest tightened painfully.
She answered quickly before forcing a small smile into her voice.
“Hey.”
“Where are you?” Nina asked immediately. “You disappeared!”
Camilla’s voice followed from the background.
“We’re literally worried sick.”
Elena closed her eyes briefly.
“I… I’m traveling for a temporary job.”
“What?” Nina sounded shocked. “Without telling us?”
“It happened suddenly.”
“We’ll come see you before you leave,” Camilla insisted.
Panic instantly filled Elena.
“No!”
The sudden sharpness in her voice made both girls quiet.
Elena quickly softened her tone.
“I mean… it’s really far away and stressful. I’ll be fine.”
After several more questions, the call finally ended.
Tears slowly gathered in Elena’s eyes.
For the first time in her life…
She was forced to lie to the only people who truly loved her.
That same evening, Elena was discharged quietly from the hospital and taken directly to the De Luca mansion.
The moment she arrived, Sofia’s smile turned cruel.
“You’ll stay in the maid quarters.”
Elena looked shocked.
“But before—”
“Before what?” Sofia interrupted coldly. “Did you think carrying a child suddenly makes you important?”
A maid escorted Elena toward a tiny room located beside the servant area at the back of the mansion.
The room was small and plain.
Nothing compared to the luxurious guest rooms upstairs.
Meanwhile, something strange slowly changed inside the mansion.
Adrian started staying home more often.
Business meetings were held from home.
Private guards increased.
And surprisingly…
He began treating Sofia better publicly.
At dinner, he allowed her sit beside him.
He attended events with her again.
Sometimes he even spoke to her gently in front of others.
Sofia enjoyed every second of it.
Finally, she looked like the real Mrs. De Luca.
Yet despite the improvement, Adrian and Sofia still slept in separate rooms every night.
Their marriage remained cold behind closed doors.
As for Elena…
Her suffering only worsened.
Whenever Adrian left for work, Sofia treated her worse than an actual servant.
“Elena! Bring my shoes!”
“Elena! Clean my room again!”
One afternoon, Sofia suddenly slapped Elena hard simply because the tea wasn’t hot enough.
“You useless thing!”
Elena lowered her eyes silently while holding her cheek painfully.
She endured everything quietly for the baby’s sake.
Only two people inside the mansion still treated her kindly.
An elderly maid named Rosa.
And a younger maid named Lily.
Rosa often secretly brought Elena warm soup late at night.
“You need strength now, child,” the old woman would whisper kindly.
Meanwhile Lily helped Elena complete difficult chores whenever Sofia became too cruel.
“I don’t understand why Madam Sofia hates you this much,” Lily muttered sadly one evening.
Elena simply smiled weakly.
Neither of them knew the truth.
Days slowly passed inside the mansion like a prison.
And worst of all…
Adrian himself seemed to hate Elena more than ever now.
Every time he saw her, his expression turned colder.
He avoided speaking to her unless necessary.
Sometimes his sharp gaze lingered on her strangely, almost irritated by her mere presence.
Yet unknown to Adrian…
The woman he treated so cruelly was carrying the child that truly belonged to him and her.
- Writer
