Chapter 1

On the day both my husband Antonio's mistress Sophia and I were kidnapped, the abductors forced him to choose between us.

Without hesitation, he chose to save the drugged Sophia.

I was left hanging upside down on the edge of a cliff, forced to watch Antonio and Sophia make love for three days and nights. Every moan and slap of flesh against flesh was crystal clear.

The kidnappers cut the rope, and I plummeted off the cliff. I struggled in a pool of blood for seven days, waiting in vain for Antonio to rescue me.

When I finally crawled back to the estate, my legs a mangled mess of blood and flesh, I saw Sophia tearing at her clothes in front of reporters, crying her eyes out.

She begged for my forgiveness, then put on a show of trying to jump off the balcony: "Isabella, please don't blame Antonio. He just wanted to save me. It's all my fault for ruining your marriage. I'll repay with my life!"

I looked at her coldly and said, "I'll personally prepare the most luxurious coffin for you."

Everyone was stunned.

Antonio glared at me in disgust, holding her tightly as he announced to everyone, "I'm going to marry Sophia."

In front of the cameras, he drew lots to determine the wedding date, landing on next month.

After my heart was completely shattered, even the pain became numb.I wiped away my tears, removed the ring from my fourth finger, and dialed the long-buried phone number.

The man on the other end of the line, his deep voice wrapped in dangerous amusement: "Finally... remembered me?"

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1

"This is just a temporary measure."

"Sofia is the most famous Latin dancer in Naples. If the incident on the cliff blows up, it will not only ruin her dance career but could even cost her life. Please, just help her out!"

"Once the public outcry dies down and she's emotionally stable, I'll explain the truth to the media. What do you think?"

Having just lulled Sofia to sleep, Antonio knelt before me, his eyes rimmed red, his voice hoarse and trembling.

I stiffened my neck and demanded, "Antonio, since I've been back, you haven't once asked about my injuries. You've only been concerned with how to protect Sofia. Who exactly is your wife here?!"

He stood up with a frown, his voice as cold and hard as ice: "You're alive and well, aren't you? Enough. Whether you agree or not, the wedding is set!"

"You've always been strong and independent, but she's different. She's delicate and fragile, she needs protection."

"You staying in the mansion will only cause Sofia to have an emotional breakdown. For this period, you should move to the villa in Sicily."

I clenched my fists, almost roaring: "This is my home!"

He darkened his face: "Isabella, can't you stop being so cruel and selfish!"

Before I could open my mouth, he was already urging his men to pack up my luggage.

"Take all your things with you."I forced a smile that looked worse than crying. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

He didn't even look up, grabbing my luggage and tossing it outside. He kept glancing anxiously toward Sophia's room, terrified she'd wake up and break down again.

I stared at the empty, messy room as tears rolled down my cheeks against my will.

"Fine, have it your way!"

Just as I was about to leave, his icy voice came from behind me: "Leave the key."

I froze, my mouth opening and closing, unable to speak.

He searched through my bag but couldn't find the key, so he rushed over and pulled it out of my pocket, handing it to the butler with satisfaction.

"Reset the mansion's security system before you go, and delete the fingerprint recognition too."

I let out a cold laugh, wanting to ask if he was afraid I'd suddenly come back and catch them in the act, or if he was worried I'd return to cause trouble.

But in the end, I didn't say it.

Seeing my pathetic state, his expression softened a bit, and he pulled me into an embrace.

"Be good. Once Sophia's emotions stabilize, I'll send her to America. Then I'll bring you back, and we'll be a loving couple again."

I gave a bitter smile. From start to finish, Sophia had always been his first choice.

Before I could speak, he had already let go, turning his back to me as he carefully changed the door code, making sure I couldn't see.He accidentally knocked over my luggage as he turned around, scattering the prenatal checkup papers tucked inside my diary.

I instinctively touched my belly, originally planning to tell him on our anniversary that we were going to be parents. But thinking of our broken marriage, my heart felt pierced by a sharp blade.

Perhaps this child came at the wrong time.

He picked up the test results, pausing for a moment.

Grabbing my hand, his tone softened: "Isabella, are you... pregnant?"

I stopped in my tracks, a glimmer of hope igniting in my heart.

But his next words were like an ice dagger, viciously stabbing into my heart, leaving me breathless.

"You can't keep this child."