Chapter 7

In the end, Salvatore didn't let Antonia take me away. He called a doctor and told me to rest well. A troubled look crossed Antonia's face at Salvatore's reaction before she ran off while crying. He hesitated briefly before whipping around and chasing after her. The doctor left after administering some medicine for me, leaving me lying on the bed by myself. I quietly stroked my stomach. Although it had already shrunk, it was impossible for me to forget about the feeling of a little life growing there. I knew I couldn't stay here any longer. I might actually go mad if I did. I didn't want anything else anymore. I grabbed my ID and powered through the pain, forcing myself to my feet and heading outside. I heard the voices of two people arguing when I made it to the staircase. "Antonia crossed the line this time, Stef. If I didn't intervene and save Regina, those men probably would have beaten her to death," Salvatore said. "What? Is your heart aching for her?" Stefano asked coldly. "Don't tell me you actually developed genuine feelings for her after sleeping with her, Salvatore." Salvatore paused before he roared his reply, sounding as if he was trying to cover something up, "That's impossible! I would never fall in love with an illegitimate child like her who only knows how to spout lies. "Even if she's pregnant with my child, I'll never allow her to give birth to it. She's not worthy!" My heart throbbed with pain as I subconsciously touched my stomach. As Salvatore wished, the child was gone now. At first, I wanted to sneak away, but I couldn't stop my body from shaking. My feet refused to work properly, and I ended up missing a step and falling down the stairs, causing a loud commotion as I tumbled down. The deafening noise of my fall cut Stefano and Salvatore's argument short. They then dashed toward me while exclaiming in unison in identical voices, "Are you alright, Gina?" I looked up to see two equally panicked faces staring at me, but I could only feel a bitter sensation in my heart. They were really such good actors—their concern for me still looked so convincing even now. It was no wonder they managed to trick me for three years. Their acting was just too good. Both of them seemed to notice that something was amiss. Stefano's face twisted as he bent down and picked me up, saying, "Gina, this is my fratello, Salvatore Farro." Salvatore, who had been one step behind him, retracted his hand that was suspended in midair. He then greeted me as if this was his first time meeting me. "Nice to meet you, Regina. I… I just came back from abroad." "He's my shadow," Stefano explained gently as he carried me. "You know how big the Farro family's business is. Some tasks are better suited for a shadow to carry out. I didn't tell you about him because I didn't want you to get involved with too much dirty work." Salvatore's face morphed into an upset expression, looking as if he had just been insulted in front of his beloved. He looked up and glared at Salvatore with infuriated eyes. However, Stefano seemed not to notice his hostile glare and simply hugged me tighter. As for me, I didn't want to speak too much to the fratelli. I even felt repulsed by Stefano's embrace. In the past, I loved hugging Stefano. I loved feeling his warmth and letting his scent wrap around me. However, at that moment, I felt disgusted by everything about him, and his scent made me want to throw up. I pushed him away lightly. I didn't spare a single glance at them as I continued walking forward. I was going to leave this villa that only made me feel suffocated and upset today. Stefano wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me back, asking, "Why do you get jealous so easily?" He was wearing an adoring expression as if he was still my husband who loved me the most. "I've already sent Antonia away, so stop throwing a tantrum. Let me carry you back to your room so you can rest, Gina." Before Stefano carried me back to my room, I made eye contact with Salvatore, whose eyes were burning with anger and reluctance. However, I couldn't do anything else but calmly avert my gaze. So what if he only realized now that he had feelings for me? He still participated in the farce to fool me. He still stood on the sidelines and did nothing while our child disappeared from this world. It was rare for Stefano to be so patient with me as he laid me on the bed and tucked the blankets around me. He then called for the doctor who treated me earlier. "How is Mrs. Farro's condition?" "Everything's fine. She's just having her period. On top of that, she got hurt, so her emotions are running a little high." I subconsciously fisted my hands into the bedsheets upon hearing the doctor's answer. How could he say that everything was fine when he knew that I had been pregnant—when Antonia ended the life of the baby in my belly? I immediately got my answer in the next second. "Antonia specially hired a professional to look after you, Gina. The two of you are still sorelle at the end of the day, after all." Stefano placed the agreement that would have me relinquish my rights as the successor of The Rosas in front of me once more. "Antonia's birthday is next week. You should give her a big present since she cares for you so much." This time, I didn't push the agreement away. Instead, I calmly picked it up and said, "Va bene. I'll give you a grand present." An extravagant present that they would never forget for the rest of their lives.