Chapter 3

Serena's POV

The moment I returned to the estate, I dialed a secure encrypted line to Vito, the Family Consigliere.

Hearing my voice, Vito let out a heavy sigh first.

"What did you find this time?" he asked.

Three years ago, when I first noticed Enzo acting strange, I went to him.

After that, every time I caught a clue, I threatened to leave. But as long as Enzo held me and offered a few excuses, I would end up finding reasons to justify it myself.

Vito probably assumed this time would be exactly the same.

"There's no need to rush the paperwork. Cool off for a few days, then talk to Enzo," he advised.

I turned on the study lamp, and looked at the diamond wedding band on my finger.

"I found her," I said.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

I stared at the ring on my hand. "Divide the assets exactly as the Blood Oath dictates. The Chicago Syndicate has been begging me to become their head Fixer. Draft the agreement immediately. I'm leaving New York."

For all these years, I had stepped back into the shadows, securing his rear and using my resources to help him climb all the way to Capo.

Now, it was time I lived for myself.

The next morning, just as the encrypted fax machine spat out the final page of the drafted agreement, the lock on the front door clicked.

Enzo strolled into the estate's main foyer carrying a pink box of fresh French pastries from my favorite bakery.

There was no trace of exhaustion on his face from pulling an all-nighter; instead, he couldn't suppress a lingering smile. It wasn't until he saw me sitting in the study that he quickly masked his expression.

"Why are you up so early?" he asked.

I covered the agreement with a folder. "Did the contract signing go well?"

"It did."

"Which family was it?"

Enzo placed the breakfast on the table, his hands pausing as he unwrapped the box. "I could tell you, but you wouldn't know them."

I looked at him. He avoided my gaze, his tone growing impatient.

"I was busy all night, and the second I walk in, you start interrogating me."

I picked up my coat and walked toward the door. "I'm going to check on Tessa."

Instinctively, Enzo stepped in front of the door, using his broad shoulders to block my path.

"No need. She's moving in here in a bit."

My hand hovered over the doorknob as he continued to explain, "The security system at her apartment was compromised. She's in poor health, and staying here will make it easier for her to recover her stomach..."

Right on cue, the doorbell rang.

Tessa stood outside dragging a massive designer suitcase. The moment she saw me, she opened her arms.

"Serena, I'm here to seek refuge."

She used to stay at the estate all the time; this place had always been half a home to her.

But this time, I subconsciously blocked the doorway. "No."

The moment the word left my mouth, Tessa's outstretched arms froze in mid-air.

Enzo's head snapped up, his brows furrowing deeply. "It's just for a few days. What's wrong with you?"

Tessa immediately stepped back, her eyes wide with fear, perfectly playing the role of a helpless victim. "Is it inconvenient? I can go stay at a hotel, it's really fine."

She looked exactly as she always did, but for some reason, I felt violently nauseous.

I gripped the doorknob tighter, just about to lay everything out on the table.

Suddenly, Tessa covered her mouth, pushed past me, and bolted for the first-floor bathroom.

All the color drained from Enzo's face. He rushed after her immediately.

He knelt beside her, one hand supporting her shoulder while the other expertly and tenderly rubbed her back.

Tessa was dry-heaving so hard she turned pale.

Enzo didn't even look up as he yelled at me, "Where are the tissues? She's throwing up like this, and you're just standing there?"

I grabbed the tissue box from the vanity and threw it directly next to his custom leather shoes.

I stared at his knuckles, which were white from tension.

Then, I looked at Tessa's hand, which was resting in a fiercely protective cradle over her lower stomach.

"Are you pregnant?" I asked, my voice cutting through the silence like a scalpel.

Tessa stopped dry-heaving instantly.

Enzo's hand froze in mid-air.