Chapter 4

Dante couldn't hide his panic, his voice trembling with every word.

I lowered my gaze, a bitter, helpless hatred consuming me. "Dante, do you have any idea? Because of you, my parents..."

Hearing me mention my parents, Dante let out a long sigh of relief and, for once, bothered to explain.

"Scarlett's brother just called. He wasn't kidnapped. He dropped his phone down a sewer, couldn't contact her."

"As for your parents, I've already had my men take them to the hospital. Rest assured, they'll be fine."

"Stop throwing a tantrum and get back to the estate."

"This time, I'll admit I was wrong."

If I weren't lying with my parents' cold bodies at this very moment, I might have been fooled by his uncharacteristically placating tone.

But they were right here beside me. I didn't know how I was supposed to face him.

Hearing only silence, Dante paused, about to speak again.

Just then, Scarlett threw herself into his arms, choking back sobs. "Don, the doctor said I'm naturally infertile."

"You're so good to me, yet I can't even give you an heir. I'm so devastated..."

Dante tossed his phone aside, his heart aching for her as he kissed her again and again.

"What does it matter if you can't have children?"

"As long as you're by my side, that's all that matters."

Scarlett let out a coquettish, breathy sigh. "But Don, I want to experience the joy of being a mother, too."

The rustling of clothes and the woman's suppressed moans grew louder over the phone.

Dante said without a second thought, "Once Evangeline gives birth, I'll have the baby brought to you. You can raise it."

"She's so full of love. If she raises the child herself, I'll come second to the baby in her eyes."

"I can't have her attention diverted by anyone. That way, you'll have a child, and I'll have an Evangeline who loves only me."

"We'll both get what we want."

The sheer possessiveness in Dante's words provoked Scarlett, her face twisting with jealousy. She forced a smile and seduced him with even more desperation.

As for me, listening to the increasingly heavy panting from the other end of the line, I let out a cold laugh and immediately scheduled an abortion.

Dante didn't trust my fidelity. Time and again, he used abuse to test my loyalty, fantasizing that after I passed, we would live happily ever after.

In what world could things be that easy for him?

After handling my parents' final affairs, I returned to the art studio they had bought for me, clutching their ashes tightly.

Dante was incredibly possessive. After our marriage, he only allowed me a short Christmas visit with my parents each year. Even then, he would pick fights over it.

“Evangeline, you’re a Torrino woman! Why do you always have to video chat with them?”

“Evangeline, who's more important, me or your parents? It’s just a birthday. Do you really have to pick out their gifts so far in advance?”

To appease him, I saw my parents less and less.

I could only imagine how thrilled they must have been when Dante had them brought to Chicago. They must have been ecstatic, thinking they would soon see their only daughter.

Instead, what awaited them was senseless torment. And it was all my fault.

Pushing open the door to the studio, I wanted to let Mom and Dad finally rest in peace.

But the moment the door swung open, an overwhelming, metallic stench assaulted my senses.

"Hssssss!!"

A giant black snake slithered toward me, its forked tongue flicking.

I scrambled backward in terror, but it coiled around my calf and sank its fangs viciously into my flesh.