Chapter 41: Shame and Regret

*Layla*

"Dante, I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of my guilt. "I never meant to hurt you, to make you think I was dead. But after Sophia tried to have me killed because of the pregnancy, I was so scared. I thought disappearing was the only way to keep our baby safe."

Dante's face softened, his eyes filled with a mix of understanding and regret. He reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek in a gesture of comfort that nearly brought me to my knees.

"I know, Layla," he murmured, in a low voice. "And I'm sorry too, for not being there when you needed me most. But you don't have to worry about Sophia anymore. I've disinherited her, sent her away. She won't be a danger to you or our child ever again."

Relief washed over me, mingling with the bittersweet ache of knowing that Dante had been forced to choose between his own flesh and blood and me. But even as I savored the warmth of his touch, a flicker of uncertainty danced in his eyes.