Chapter 5
919words
"Mrs. Moretti, you're awake." A middle-aged man in a white coat approaches the bed. "I'm Dr. Carlo. Do you remember me?"
I nod. Carlo is the family's private physician, who's served the Morettis since Alessandro was a boy.
"Physically, you're fine—just dehydration and low blood sugar." Carlo flips through my chart. "However, there's something I must tell you—congratulations, you're pregnant."
My mind goes blank.
"What?"
"According to your tests, you're approximately seven weeks along," Carlo's voice seems to come from far away. "This could be the next heir of the Moretti Family."
Seven weeks. I touch my flat stomach with trembling hands, where a tiny life is growing. A life I never thought possible.
"That's impossible," I murmur. "Isabella always said I—she said I wasn't worthy, that I would never—"
"Actually," Dr. Carlo clears his throat awkwardly, "your medical report from two months ago already showed signs of pregnancy, but Lady Isabella instructed us not to inform you. She said she was waiting for the right moment."
Blood rushes to my head. My mother-in-law knew all along and deliberately hid it from me. She let me endure her barbs and accusations of being "inadequate" while I carried her grandchild.
What am I to her? Just a breeding mare?
"Mrs. Moretti?" Carlo studies me with concern. "You don't look well."
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. The priority now is protecting this child—preventing anyone from using it to control me.
"Dr. Carlo," I grasp his hand, my eyes pleading, "please keep this confidential. I want to tell my husband the good news myself."
Carlo hesitates. "But Lady Isabella—"
"Please," I press, "give me some time. This is between husband and wife—I want to surprise Alessandro."
Finally, Carlo nods. "I'll instruct the staff accordingly."
The moment he leaves, the door bursts open. Alessandro rushes in, hair disheveled, shirt buttons misaligned, looking like he ran the whole way.
"Irina!" He hurries to my bedside. "How are you? Are you hurt badly?"
His concern seems genuine—there's even moisture in his eyes. This stirs something complex within me. Perhaps, just perhaps, we still have a chance—
"Tell me," I stare directly into his eyes, "have you broken our covenant?"
Alessandro visibly stiffens. "What? Irina, what are you talking about?"
"Answer my question."
"No," he answers without hesitation, "of course not. Irina, how could I possibly—why would you even ask such a thing?"
Lies. Pure lies. But he delivers them so naturally, so convincingly, as if he truly believes his own bullshit.
Just then, a gentle knock sounds at the door.
"May I come in?" Jessica's saccharine voice drifts through.
She doesn't wait for an answer before pushing the door open, carrying a massive bouquet of white lilies. Today she's wearing a cream-colored knit dress, looking pure and innocent as a damn angel.
"Sister Irina," she glides to the bedside, eyes brimming with fake concern, "I heard you weren't feeling well, so I rushed over. Lady Isabella asked me to keep you company. She said you need a friend's care."
When she bends to arrange the vase, her collar gaps open, revealing fresh purple-red marks across her neck and collarbone. Those hickeys are new—obviously made very recently.
Even more glaring is the gold bracelet on her wrist—embedded with a miniature portrait locket containing a painting of my mother in her youth. It's the "alliance gift" Alessandro took from the Petrova family vault and gave me during our engagement.
"That's a beautiful bracelet," my voice comes out unnervingly calm. "Where did you get it?"
Jessica pretends to just notice it, glancing shyly at Alessandro. "Alex gave it to me. He said it's a traditional family heirloom."
Alessandro's face flushes crimson, but he says nothing.
I finally understand everything. Mother-in-law doesn't just know I'm pregnant—she knows it all. She knows about Alessandro's betrayal, about Jessica, and she's actively encouraging his mistress to flaunt herself in my face.
This isn't coincidence—it's calculated humiliation.
"Get out," Alessandro suddenly roars. "Jessica, get out now!"
Jessica feigns shock, tears welling in her eyes. "I only wanted to show I care—"
"I said get out!"
Jessica gives me a wounded look before hurrying from the room. Alessandro follows right behind her, muttering something about apologizing for his rudeness.
I know exactly what he's going to do.
I silently follow to the doorway and through the crack watch them embrace in the hallway. Jessica sobs dramatically while Alessandro strokes her hair, planting a tender kiss on her forehead.
"I'm sorry, cara mia," I hear him murmur, "I can't let her suspect anything. Mom says we still need more time."
I don't need to hear more.
Back in the hospital room, I grab the phone by the bed and dial a number.
"Ethan, it's me."
"Irina? Are you okay? I heard—"
"Come get me now," I cut him off. "The plan is moving up."
"But you said—"
"I said now!" I keep my voice low, but my tone cuts like a blade. "We can't wait another minute."
After hanging up, I change into my own clothes and tear the pregnancy report to shreds, tossing it in the trash. Then I gently touch my still-flat stomach and whisper:
"Don't be afraid, little one. Mommy's taking you far away from this hell."
