Chapter 3

3.

The air instantly froze.

CRACK!

It wasn't salvation that greeted me, but an even heavier slap from Isabella.

"You're Mrs. Moretti? Then who the hell am I?"

"I've been with the Don for five years, and I've known him for ten. I have never heard of him being married!"

"You fucking bitch, you're still lying even when you're about to die?"

I spit out a mouthful of bloody saliva and tried to explain, "We're childhood sweethearts... I really am his wife..."

Hearing Leo's name, the other assistants grew worried and tried to stop Isabella.

But she just waved them off dismissively.

"Don't worry. I know Leo better than anyone."

She looked me over from head to toe in disgust.

My tattered dress lay beside me like a dishrag.

I had no jewelry, not even a designer bag.

The lunch had been packed in a generic insulated bag you could get at any supermarket.

Isabella sneered, "And look at this pathetic woman. Not a single designer item on her. How could she possibly be Mrs. Moretti?"

I finally managed to catch my breath, but then I felt a warm gush between my legs.

A terrible feeling of dread washed over me.

"Blood! She's bleeding!" an assistant shrieked, taking a step back in panic.

My heart hammered in my chest, and I was consumed by a wave of terror.

I weakly lifted a hand, trying to grab onto something, but all I felt was a stronger surge of warmth flowing out of me.

Isabella glanced down briefly and snapped, "What are you freaking out about? It's just a little blood. What's there to be afraid of?"

"Besides, she's a mistress. The thing she's carrying is a bastard anyway."

"It's only right for a bastard to be dealt with."

Everyone fell silent, no longer daring to speak up for me.

Clutching my stomach, I was practically begging, "Please... call an ambulance for me..."

"My baby... my baby..."

But no one offered me a hand. They all watched with cold, almost morbidly curious eyes, waiting for me to lose my child.

Isabella just stood there, watching me bleed for at least ten minutes, until I felt like I had nothing left inside me.

Finally, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.

I thought she was calling for an ambulance, but then I heard Leo's voice on the other end.

"What is it?" His voice was clipped and emotionless.

"Leo, another woman came to the office today, insisting on bringing you lunch."

When speaking to Leo, Isabella's voice was completely different from the arrogant tone she used with me. It was so sweet and seductive it was sickening.

Leo sounded impatient. "You're calling me for something this trivial? What do I pay you for?"

"You handle it."

With that, he hung up without another word.

Isabella raised an eyebrow and shot a triumphant look at the others. "You heard him? The Don told me to handle it."

I opened my mouth to scream for help, but I was too weak to make a sound.

Isabella's stilettos clicked on the floor as she walked towards me.

She pressed her heel against my cheek, grinding it down. "With all this blood, any photo I post of you will get flagged for graphic content."

"You should be grateful. You got lucky."

"But now, it's your face's turn."

"Without this face, let's see how you're going to seduce the Don."

She took out the box cutter again, holding it menacingly over my face.

Just as I gave in to despair, Isabella's phone rang.

It was Leo.

Isabella answered immediately.

"The files for the South City project. I need them now. Get them ready."

"Of course, Leo."

"I'll be at the office in about ten minutes..."