Chapter 6

The door swung open just as I was about to answer Salvatore. Antonia rushed into the room and tackled me to the floor. "Mi dispiace, Gina. I didn't do it on purpose. I overheard your argument. There must be some sort of misunderstanding, so I came in to try to convince you to stay," she said as she discreetly drove her elbow into my stomach. Pain spread through my entire body, causing me to cry out in anguish. "Gina!" Salvatore exclaimed, sounding panicked as he rushed toward me. "Are you alright? I'll call the doctor right now!" He was about to press the call button when Antonia suddenly stretched out her injured arm. "I know you don't like me, Gina. I don't mind if you hate me and hurt me. I just want to fulfill my responsibility and take care of you as your sorella." Salvatore looked at me hesitantly as Antonia began sobbing quietly. I shook my head vigorously. "No… Actually, I'm preg—" Antonia suddenly let out a loud wail, drowning out my voice. She pounced on me, stopping Salvatore's outstretched hand from reaching me while discreetly pressing down on my stomach. "You can scold me and hit me as much as you want, Gina. Just stop being angry. Stop making everyone worry about you, okay?" The overwhelming pain robbed me of my ability to speak, and I could only stare at Salvatore pleadingly. However, he suddenly retracted his hand that had been suspended in midair as a look of disdain flickered across his face. "Antonia's right. You only suffered some minor wounds. Your injuries can't be that serious. You should stop making a fuss since Antonia's willing to forget about what you did to her in the past and take care of you." Antonia was delighted as she tried to drag me away. I struggled wildly for the sake of the child. "No. I'm actually pregnant," I choked out. "My stomach hurts so much. I want to go to the hospital…" "What?" Salvatore's eyes widened. Shock and surprise were shining in his eyes. However, Antonia stood between us, blocking me from his view. "No matter how angry you are, you can't lie to someone by claiming that you're pregnant, Gina. You were still so nimble when you were fighting off those men. How could you possibly be pregnant?" Antonia spoke gently while she applied even more pressure on my stomach. The excruciating pain radiating from my stomach immobilized me. I could only silently pray and hope that Salvatore would help me just this once for the sake of our child. Salvatore pursed his lips hesitantly. Antonia became even more smug when she noticed his reaction, a cruel glint flickering in her eyes. However, when she turned to look at Salvatore, she was wearing a kind expression. "It's all my fault for making Gina angry," she said. "Let me take care of her. I'll take good care of her if she really is pregnant." "No! I don't want that!" I mustered all the strength I had left and raised my head to reject Antonia's suggestion. However, Salvatore only averted his gaze. "Stop pretending, Gina," he said. "At the end of the day, Antonia's still your sorella. She didn't take your actions to heart even though you tried to end her life. She's such a kind person, so she'll definitely take good care of you." In the end, Salvatore had chosen to believe Antonia. Although I was the one who spent 1,095 nights with him—although I was the one who was carrying his child in my belly. Antonia pressed down even harder on my stomach as she moved her lips close to my ear. Her voice was dripping with delight when she whispered, "No one will believe you, Regina." I suddenly felt the fight drain out of me. It seemed that everyone would choose to give up on me when Antonia was in the picture. Both Papa and my lover had done the same thing. "Salvatore," I called out softly before Antonia dragged me away. "Are you too scared to believe that I'm pregnant, or do you just not want to believe I'm expecting?" "What nonsense are you spouting?" Salvatore demanded heatedly as he whipped around. I laughed as I stared at his trembling fingers. "You're really just a coward." He didn't turn around this time. I knew he was too scared to face reality. He was so scared he didn't even notice that I called him Salvatore instead of Stefano. I could feel my stomach caving in as if something was disappearing from my body. Terrified, I held my stomach, but I could still feel blood flowing between my legs. The little angel that had stayed in my body for the past three months was about to leave me. I closed my eyes and let the tears spill from the corners of my eyes. Stefano, Salvatore—I hated both of you. I'd never forgive either of you ever again.