Chapter 3

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed with fresh bandages wrapped around my wrists, neck, and the wounds I'd gotten from being dragged behind Favio's convoy.

The room was empty. So I slowly pushed myself up, biting back a groan when pain shot through my body and quietly finished my discharge papers then left the hospital.

As I passed the nurses' station, I overheard a few nurses talking.

“Miss Pierno in the VIP ward is so lucky. Don Favio stayed with her the whole night and didn't even sleep,” one of them said. “I heard her injuries weren't even that serious, but he looked so worried. Meanwhile, Donna Adeline was dragged here by a Mafia convoy in terrible condition, and she's been alone this whole time.”

Another nurse sighed. “People really do change. Everyone used to say Don Favio was crazy about his wife, but now it looks like someone else has taken her place.”

I kept walking.

Their words hurt, but strangely, I couldn't cry anymore.

...

I went straight to a law firm.

The lawyer looked surprised when I placed an old document on his desk.

“I want a divorce.”

He picked it up and read it carefully. It was an agreement Favio and I had made years ago, back when we were newly married.

It had started as a joke.

I still remembered sitting beside him and making him sign it.

“Favio, I'm telling you now. I can't tolerate betrayal or injustice. If you ever hurt me badly enough that I can't forgive you, I'll leave without looking back.”

He'd laughed so hard that his shoulders shook. “And what if I beg?”

“You can beg all you want.”

“What if I kneel?”

“Still no.”

He'd pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “Then I'll never give you a reason to leave.”

I had believed him.

The lawyer finished reading and looked at me. “The signature is authentic. This agreement can be used as part of your divorce proceedings. You'll still have to go through the required cooling-off period before the divorce can be finalized.”

“Okay.”

“You're sure you don't want to reconsider?”

I gave him a small smile. “There's nothing to reconsider.”

I signed everything that needed to be signed and left.

...

When I returned to the Guerrero villa, it felt colder than it ever had before.

Favio didn't come home for several days.

I didn't wait for him.

I started removing everything that reminded me of him. Our wedding photos went into boxes. The anniversary gifts went into another. His clothes were taken out of our closet, along with the watches, jewelry, handwritten notes, and all the little things he'd given me over the years.

Then I started packing my own things.

I was halfway through my luggage when I heard the front door open.

Favio had finally come back and Isabella was with him.

Her injuries had mostly healed, and she walked beside him without much trouble. She still wore the same innocent expression that had fooled everyone around her.

Favio looked up at me as I came downstairs.

“Addy.”

I didn't answer.

He seemed to expect me to say something, but when I remained silent, he sighed.

“Isabella spent a week in the hospital because of you. This needs to end now. She's already apologized for what happened to Angelica, and I've told you before, we can't bring our daughter back. I had the best burial place prepared for Angelica. I know that doesn't make up for what happened, but you need to stop hurting yourself and everyone around you.”

I listened without expression.

There was a time when every word from Favio could affect me.

Now, I couldn't even find the energy to hate him.

Isabella stepped forward and touched her side where she'd been injured.

“I'm a surgeon, Adeline. Well, I'm still completing my hospital training, but I know exactly what a serious injury looks like. I know what I went through, and I know what you went through. So please stop acting like collapsing after the Blood Road is going to make Favio pity you.”

I looked at her once then I looked away.

She continued, “I've already apologized for what happened to Angelica. I know you hate me, but I can't change the past. Angelica is gone, and no amount of punishment is going to bring her back. You should stop blaming yourself too.”

I remained silent.

Isabella seemed irritated by my lack of reaction, but she quickly recovered and smiled.

“You should be grateful Favio is still willing to stay with you after everything.”

I almost laughed.

Grateful?

Isabella glanced at Favio before looking back at me. “And if you're really worried about Angelica having no one anymore, there's another way. I can give you another child.”

My expression didn't change.

Isabella took Favio's arm and leaned against him. “Favio and I are already together, and we're planning to have a baby. Sooner or later, I'll get pregnant. When that happens, I'll give you the child.”

I stared at her.

“Think about it. You lost Angelica, and I know how much you loved her. If I have Favio's child, you can raise that baby. It'll still be a Guerrero child, and you'll still be its mother.”

My fingers tightened around the handle of my suitcase.

“Stupid bitch.” I was about to walk past them when Isabella grabbed my arm.

“Bitch? Me?” she snapped. “If anyone here is a bitch, it’s YOU! You had your men beat me so badly I couldn’t even finish my hospital training for a whole week. I had patients to assist with, surgeries to observe, and reports to complete!”

She looked at me, then smiled faintly.

“But I don't want to make things difficult. Since I'm going to be handling the Guerrero family's affairs now, I need someone I can trust to help me.”

I frowned.

“You. I want you to become my personal assistant. You'll organize my schedule, prepare the documents I need, accompany me to the hospital when necessary, and handle whatever errands I give you.”

My fingers curled at my sides.

“I'm the eldest daughter of the De Santis family. I've managed businesses and attended meetings with people who'd never even be allowed near the Guerrero Corporation's boardroom. And you want me to carry your bags and run your errands? How fucking shameful you are?”

Isabella's expression changed immediately. Her eyes became watery as she turned toward Favio.

“Favio, didn't you say you'd let me handle the family's affairs? You said everyone in the household would cooperate with me, including her.”

Favio's face turned cold as he looked at me. “Addy, go with Isabella.”

I stared at him for a moment before asking, “You want me to work for your mistress? Wow!”