Chapter 2

Back in my room, I dialed ETH Zurich.

"Dr. Rossini," came the professor's voice, warm with laughter. "We've been waiting for your reply. A world-class laboratory, complete research autonomy, everything's ready for you."

"I accept." My voice was calm, without a tremor.

"Five days from now. The institute will send a car to meet you at Zurich airport. We'll handle all the paperwork."

"See you in five days."

The call ended. The screen went dark, reflecting my cold, clear expression.

Five days.

Just five more days to endure.

This absurd play that had dragged on for seven years would finally reach its curtain call.

At dinner, everyone's attention was on Camilla.

She sat at Luca's right hand while servants confirmed everything she disliked—how rare her steak should be, which spices in her soup, even the napkin material was switched to softer cotton.

On my plate sat mango, something I was severely allergic to.

When I was twenty, I'd nearly suffocated from accidentally eating mango. Since that day, this estate never allowed mangoes, not even mango-flavored drinks.

But today, there was a whole plate of mango in front of me.

Luca didn't notice my stiffness at all. He just smiled at Camilla while she animatedly recounted their childhood.

"Luca, remember when we were fourteen and snuck out on your dad's yacht from the old dock? We almost sank!"

A rare smile tugged at Luca's lips. "I remember. You were so scared you wouldn't let go of my arm."

"Ah, I really miss those days when it was just the two of us, no secrets..." She suddenly turned to me, eyes wide with innocence. "Isabella, you don't mind us leaving you out, do you? After all, you haven't known him as long. There's so much you don't know about."

My knuckles went white around my fork.

Luca's gaze lingered on my face for a moment, as if weighing something, then moved away.

"Some old stories don't require everyone's participation."

Hearing that, I understood exactly what he meant—I was the most superfluous person here.

I set down my knife and fork, wiped my hands. "Of course I don't mind. You two go ahead. I just remembered the Swiss institute sent over some data that needs reviewing. After all, future projects can't run on memories alone, can they?"

I made as if to stand, my gaze sweeping over Luca.

Displeasure flickered in his eyes.

He was used to me playing backdrop in his world, forgetting that I had my own battlefield, my own leverage.

My casual mention of the future he'd tried to strangle was a reminder that I wasn't empty-handed.

Camilla's smile deepened. "Don't rush off, Isabella. As a member of this household, there's something you have the right to know."

A sense of foreboding crept up my spine.

"Father called today. He said as long as this 'Martini heir' in my belly arrives safely, the dock shares we couldn't agree on before—the Valenti family will consider them a gift for our grandson."

A child? Camilla was pregnant?

"A child? A grandson? Is it Luca's?" My voice still trembled despite my efforts.

"Bang—"

Luca slammed his hand on the table. "Is that all you can think about?"

He looked furious, as if ready to tear everyone in the room to pieces. The last time he looked like this was three years ago—when someone aimed a sniper's crosshairs at his father's temple.

"That man drugged Camilla, then... did that to her. Camilla isn't married yet. Her reputation is everything to her. I couldn't just stand by..."

Of course. When had he ever stood by when it came to Camilla?

"So I decided to help her—keep the child, lose the father."

By the time he finished, Camilla's face was streaked with tears.

"Keep the child, lose the father? What does that mean?"

Before Luca could answer, all three of our phones vibrated simultaneously. The headline seared my eyes:

[Luca Martini Publicly Acknowledges Camilla's Unborn Child as Heir.]

The comments were flooded with congratulations. Even our household maids left comments saying they were a perfect match.

The whole world had forgotten me, forgotten I was still Luca's wife.

And my husband had just let my dignity be trampled by the entire world.

Camilla leaned on Luca's shoulder, eyes swimming with tears. "Luca, I'm so grateful. To protect my reputation, you'd go this far."

Luca's hand rested on her head, gently soothing. "Don't worry. That man will never come back to bother you."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned to me. "You can take care of her during the pregnancy. Another woman will be more convenient. And if you want, the child can call you mother later."

My blood nearly froze in that moment.

Seven years. The man I'd loved for seven years had just killed my entire life.

Had he ever considered what kind of humiliation this was for me? Thought about how all of high society would mock me behind my back, laugh at how the mafia godfather's wife—

In his meticulous plans, I alone had never been treated as a person with dignity, someone capable of pain.

I was just a convenient tool to maintain the family's image, and now that I'd served my purpose, I was expected to help clean up someone else's mess too.

I raised my hands. Applause rang out in the dead-silent dining room.

"A perfect PR crisis management, Luca. Using your wife's dignity to cover your mistress's scandal, using your family's reputation to pave the way for your bastard's future—you've arranged everything so well."