Page 49 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

Valentina didn't rush to argue. She looked down, playing with her nails casually. "Elena, you don't understand the situation. Dante's just been away from me too long. He's confused about your importance. How long have you even known each other? We dated for years, were apart for over a decade, and the whole time he searched for me, waited for me. If you hadn't appeared, I'd be the lady of Moretti Manor now."

She stepped closer, dropping her voice lower. "Dante already agreed to keep seeing me. He feels guilty, promised to give me money monthly, arrange my life. We'll see each other often. Over time, guess what he'll remember about me?"

My fingers clenched my skirt.

"When that happens, what will you do?" Valentina tilted her head, pretty face full of calculation, voice almost pitying. "You think you can keep him? He loves me. Once he realizes that, you'll have no place left."

I didn't want to believe it, but I knew it was all true.

Dante had never expressed his feelings to me. Even if his heart held me somehow, was it love? Or guilt? The difference was enormous.

But I wouldn't back down. I glared at Valentina fiercely. "That's all your fantasy. Do you really think Dante's the type to abandon his wife?"

Valentina laughed. "Did you forget? Just yesterday he fought with you at the manor because of me. I just got back, and he already brought me home. If he didn't love me, would he go that far?"

Every word stabbed like needles into my heart, puncturing it, making it bleed drop by drop.

"And you're pregnant. What a gift from heaven." Her laugh turned vicious, eyes on my stomach like I was prey. "The baby's your biggest weakness. All your attention will go to protecting your little brat. Meanwhile, I have a hundred ways to hurt your child and pull Dante's attention away. In the end, you'll have nothing."

A chill ran down my spine. A breeze blew past, and I realized I was drenched in cold sweat.

Her voice was light, like discussing something trivial. "You're pregnant now. You can't run, can't hide, can't even protect yourself. What if you slip on the stairs? Or eat something you shouldn't at dinner..."

She painted such vivid pictures. I could almost imagine losing this child, how much my body—and my heart—would hurt.

Valentina saw my expression and smiled with satisfaction, then put on a tone of earnest concern. "Elena, face reality. Dante's only interested in you temporarily. Once the novelty wears off, he won't even look at you. If you can't see that, you're too stupid."

She leaned in, voice gentle like coaxing a clueless child. "What you should do now is terminate this pregnancy, divorce Dante voluntarily, and step aside. At least then you'll keep some dignity. Understand?"

My lips trembled, but I bit down hard to keep tears from falling.

"I don't believe you." I kept my voice even through gritted teeth. "Dante will protect me and the baby. And he'll hear everything you've said."

Valentina froze, then laughed behind her hand, crossing her arms confidently. "Go ahead and tell him. Who do you think Dante will believe? You, who just fought with him and is still upset? Or me, who's been so gracious, who came to apologize?"

She was like a devil, precisely manipulating every emotion. This conversation left no evidence. To Marco watching from a distance, we probably looked like girlfriends chatting.

Today Valentina played gentle and generous, seemingly remorseful. But if I turned around and complained to Dante, he'd just think I was stirring up trouble, jealous and petty.

Valentina saw my expression and knew she'd won this smokeless war. She didn't spare me another glance, turning and walking toward Marco with light, elegant steps.

I stood there, watching her get in the car, watching it drive out of the hospital gates.

I stood frozen in place, body feeling paralyzed.

Lucia ran over, looking worried. "Elena, what did she say? Why do you look so pale?"

"Nothing. Let's go back."

After returning to the manor, I locked myself in my room, sitting on the bed in a daze all afternoon. I stared out the window, Valentina's words carved into my brain.

I looked down at my stomach, placing my hand gently over it.

A tiny life was growing inside. But he knew nothing. He didn't know his mother was being threatened, didn't know he might not be welcomed when he came into this world.

But I had to protect him.

For once I had an appetite. Even for the baby's sake, I needed to eat. Near the first floor, I didn't notice what was under my feet—something slick had been smeared on the stairs. My foot slipped, and my body pitched forward.