Chapter 2

After all that, I opened the locked door.

Sat quietly at the dining table.

"Lombardi, would you make me a bowl of soup?"

The housekeeper happily walked into the kitchen and made a call.

"Mr. Morano, Miss Thornton is out and eating."

Looking up, I saw the pile of gift boxes his man had dropped off in the living room.

This was always how Dante tried to placate me—it required no thought and no effort.

In the Instagram, Sienna posted a video.

"Dante is so wonderful—he pushed back work to stay home and help me knit baby clothes. He's going to be such a good father."

In the video, he was bent over, carefully stitching a small piece of fabric.

His profile gentle, his gaze focused.

My eyes burned watching it.

I suddenly remembered those days when we were on the run, hiding from one safe house to the next. Dante couldn't afford anything nice.

So he'd braided me a cord bracelet by hand.

It was crooked and rough, but I wore it like a treasure for six years.

Later he got busier, and richer again.

But the companionship—he gave that to someone else.

A new comment popped up under that Instagram video. My parents and Camille.

"My little grandchild is so blessed to have such loving parents."

"Sienna, I can't wait to be the godmother! I'll keep Dante in line for you!"

I pulled out the cord bracelet I still carried. The color had long since faded.

Time to throw it away.

The bodyguards outside the villa kept tight watch, convinced I'd tear the place apart.

But I went to the garden as usual to water the flowers.

The orchids were delicate—I'd been growing them for half a year.

They were about to bloom. I wouldn't be here to see it.

So I had them boxed up and sent to the neighbors in three days.

In my messages, Dr. Ferrara, who managed my old injury, reminded me about next week's appointment.

I declined the six-year routine follow-up and withdrew the remaining funds from my medical account.

Because there was no point anymore.

At the same time, a truck arrived.

Furniture was carried in piece by piece.

"Be careful—these were all personally selected by Mr. Morano for Miss Thornton. Very expensive!"

A maternity mattress, a Baroque vanity, designer lounge chairs.

And this villa—I'd only lived here two years.

Dante once told me this would be our home for the rest of our lives.

Now this home was no longer a home.

Sienna walked in, my parents on either side of her, Camille close behind.

"Sister, you don't mind me moving in, do you?"

My parents soothed her. "Mind what? You two sisters used to share a room all the time."

We did share a room once. But then they made me move into the storage closet.

Because Sienna had a sweeter tongue and a more fragile air.

Camille walked right past me and poured Sienna a glass of water.

"Sienna, don't bother with petty people. Think of the baby."

I didn't say a word.

But then—my parents leaned in and whispered:

"If you could move out, that would help. Don't disturb Sienna's rest. Seeing you puts her in a bad mood."

I stared at my own flesh and blood standing before me, incredulous.

"In your eyes, who exactly is the real daughter?"

They kept their voices down, terrified Sienna might hear.

"Sienna has been with our family so many years, she's as good as our own. You've always been the strong one—what's wrong with letting her have this?"

I could never understand my parents' favoritism.

But today, I suddenly no longer cared to.

Camille chimed in:

"Sienna's love for Dante is no less than yours. Six years and nothing to show for it—why not step aside gracefully?"

She seemed to have forgotten who stood up for her and fought back against the bullies.

Who spent their savings funding her education all those years.

A whole heart, fed to the dogs.

After saying their piece, the three of them went to help Sienna settle her room.

Dante came back soon after.

The moment he walked in, he cupped my bare, sockless feet.

"Vivian, give me some time. I'll sort everything out."

His arms were warm—but they'd already held another woman.

On his tanned forearm were crescent-shaped nail marks from Sienna.

"Sort it out how? Make me the other woman? Watch your happy family from the sidelines?"

"Vivian!"

Dante's face hardened.

"Do you have any idea who Sienna really is? She's been claimed by the Constantino family—she can give me enormous leverage!"

So that was it.

The Constantinos were Porto Nero's most powerful family. Four generations of empire.

"These years I've been building my position step by step. Nobody knows what it's cost me."

But Dante—these six years have cost me too.

In the end, I simply couldn't compete with Sienna's noble bloodline.

Dante softened his voice again.

"I haven't forgotten the promise I made six years ago. I will marry you."

"No need. I'm moving out."