Liliana's POV

That night, I couldn't speak. I just sat there, staring at the stained walls of the holding cell, numb.

I'd been arrested for submitting a forged passport. And the one person who should have saved me? He threw me to the wolves.

"You got anyone to call?" the guard asked, locking the cell door behind him. The bolt echoed through the concrete corridor like a gunshot.

I nodded silently. My heart was hollow. My cheeks were crusted with dried tears. My throat raw from screaming and begging.

"One call. Don't waste it." He slid a phone through the bars.

I tapped in the number. It rang once.

"Hello? Who is this?" My mother's voice sounded over the receiver.

Relief flooded me.

"Hi, Mom. I need your help."

"Liliana? Why are you calling from a strange number? Where are you?" my mother asked worriedly.

"It's a long story. There was a mix-up. I've been arrested."

"What?!" she shouted. "Who dares lay a hand on you?! Do they know who you are?!"

Even through the static of the prison phone, I could hear it. Not just a mother's panic. The cold fury of Cosima Valentino, a woman who had held territory together while her husband's heart failed him, who had kept rival families from smelling blood in the water for fifteen years. When she said do they know who you are, it was not a question. It was a threat she expected me to relay.

"Please, just talk to Dad. I need out of here. And a new passport. In my name."

She paused.

"Alright, baby girl. Hang in there. You'll be out soon."

The line disconnected.

The guard gave me a suspicious look, then left. A while later, he returned with a bitter update.

"Nobody's available to process your release tonight. You stay till morning."

I didn't answer. I climbed onto the narrow spring bed, curling into myself. But every time I closed my eyes, I heard Giacomo's voice. Nadina's laugh. Pietro's silence. And their baby's cries.

They'd taken everything from me. In five days, I'd be gone. And when I left, they'd regret it.

Around midnight, I drifted off.

I woke to scraping metal.

My eyes opened just as the cell door creaked.

Seven women stepped in.

My heart stopped.

Before I could scream, a hand clamped over my mouth.

"Nadina sends her warmest regards," one of them sneered.

And then the beating began.

Fists rained down. Kicks to my ribs. Fingers clawed at my skin. One bit my shoulder, another yanked my hair until I screamed. This was a contracted hit inside the walls. Paid for, arranged, delivered with the efficiency of someone who had done this before. There was nothing random about it. Seven women, midnight, an unlocked cell. Someone had greased the right palms.

I whimpered and tried to fight, but it was useless.

When they were done, I was barely breathing. My body throbbed. Blood soaked the floor. I heard faint shouting, guards rushing in, and then everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes, everything smelled like antiseptic.

The sharp beeping of machines echoed beside me. I was in a hospital. Pain lit up every nerve in my body.

"Don't sit up," a voice warned.

I turned slowly.

The same doctor. The one who'd warned me before.

"How do you feel?"

I tried to shrug. My shoulders screamed.

"Terrible," I rasped.

My voice was gone. My throat was shredded.

"You were in critical condition. You've been unconscious for three days."

"Good," I whispered. "Two more days to go."

He frowned.

"No, Liliana. This isn't good. I warned you. And now… I'm sorry, but you'll never be able to carry a child again."

I stared at the doctor without blinking, my heart already numb. My hands subconsciously touched my stomach and a small whimper escaped my lips.

"I'm so sorry, Liliana," the doctor said. "The bleeding was too much. It was the only way to save your life."

I was heartbroken and devastated but still the tears couldn't drop. I let out a sigh. They'd taken everything from me and left me with nothing. I'll do the same to them.

My thumb found the inside of my left wrist. I pressed into the scars there, the ones from the broken glass, still fresh beneath the bruises. The pain was the only thing that felt real. The only thing that was mine.

The doctor handed me my phone.

"It's been ringing nonstop for three days," he said. "Please take care of yourself."

I took my phone and saw several missed calls from my mom including messages and pictures.

Where are you, Liliana? What happened? Your father got you released but the guard said you had an accident. Please call me.

Liliana, your father has done what you asked and you've gotten a new passport. I sent a picture below and mailed the passport to you.

Liliana, I'm worried about you. Your flight has been booked. You leave in two days, call me!

I stared at the screen for a moment, then typed the only thing I could.

Thank you so much, Mommy. I'm fine, just tidying things up here. See you soon.

As I hit send, the door opened and Nadina walked inside with her baby in a stroller.

"Oh, Liliana, imagine my happiness when the doctor told me you're awake," Nadina gushed in a fake cheerful voice. She moved through the hospital room like she owned it, the same way she moved through every room. Two fingertips drifted to the hollow of her throat as she smiled.

I glared at her, my eyes blank. "What do you want?"

"I just brought you lunch. The boys were just messing with you by leaving you there. They didn't know you'd be hurt."

She set down a flask. Pulled out a steaming bowl.

I recoiled. Seafood. She knew I was allergic.

"Leave me alone," I said through clenched teeth. "Before I strangle you."

Her smile turned sharp.

"But I'm not done yet, love. You're not dead."

She leaned in and shoved the plate closer. The smell made my stomach twist.

I swatted it away, reacting on instinct.

The plate shattered as Nadina screamed, staring at her baby in horror.

I turned toward the baby's cries. My eyes fell on a tiny shard embedded in the infant's hand. My fingers froze as I saw the blood on the baby's hand.

And then the door burst open. Giacomo and Pietro staring down at me like I'd just committed murder.

"What's going on here?" Giacomo snapped.

Liliana's POV

Immediately Nadina saw them standing by the door. She ran toward them and clutched Giacomo's hands.

"She hurt baby Angela!" she cried. "I just brought her soup to cheer her up and she threw it away."

"You wanted to poison me. You know I'm allergic to seafood!" I snapped.

"I swear I had no idea, Giacomo," Nadina said, and started sobbing pitifully again.

I scoffed. The fact they fell for her fake tears was pathetic.

Giacomo and Pietro marched toward me like soldiers defending their queen's honor.

"How could you be so vicious, huh?" Pietro sneered at me.

"A night locked up hasn't done much to reform you, huh? You want more punishment?" Giacomo snarled.

I stared at them blankly. "What more do you want to do, huh? You've done everything you could ever possibly do to hurt me."

Giacomo's eyes softened for a bit before the baby's cries sounded again and they hardened.

"I'll let you off the hook just this time!" he snapped as he left with Nadina and the baby.

"Let me off the hook?" I scoffed, laughing like a crazy person. "Do you even know what I've been going through all these days? Do you even know that I lost—"

"We need to take Angela to the doctor," Nadina's teary voice interrupted me.

And just like that she managed to silence me once again as the boys rallied around her and left with the baby while she gave me a smug smirk before leaving.

I stayed in the hospital for a few more hours and they didn't return.

When the doctor discharged me he gave me a strict warning.

"If you don't rest, you will die, and I'm not joking here," he said.

I nodded. "I understand, doctor."

When I got back to the Russo compound they weren't back yet. I went into the room I had shared with Giacomo for four years and I brought out a big box.

I carried the box outside and I lit a fire in the big metal drum in the courtyard, the one the soldiers used to burn documents that couldn't survive a raid. Then I opened the box and was assaulted with years of memories.

Inside, the box was filled with photographs from the ceremony, gifts Giacomo and Pietro had given me over the years whenever I celebrated the anniversary of my union with the Family.

As I tossed them into the flame it felt like I was liberating a piece of myself. How naive I was, to love two people who hated me this cruelly.

Every piece of paper, jewelry, picture, dress, everything I burnt had a story behind it, but I realized it wasn't a true story. Everything was just a reminder that I had been lied to over the years.

As I picked up the last item in the box I stared at it a bit longer. It was a braided bracelet I had made with the boys six years ago, the three cords knotted together the night Pietro swore his oath to me.

"I promise to never ever let anyone hurt you. I'll die before I let someone lay a finger on you," Pietro had promised.

"You already know I love you, Liliana. I'll love you forever and never let anyone hurt you," Giacomo had promised, kissing me.

Now as I held the bracelet and their voices sounded in my mind I smiled bitterly and tossed it into the flames.

That was the exact moment the boys arrived and saw the bracelet. They ran toward me.

"Have you lost your mind? That's our bracelet!" Pietro snapped as he tried to retrieve it but ended up getting burned.

"Why are you burning up our things and throwing a tantrum, Liliana?" Giacomo asked.

I scoffed. "They're old and need to be discarded. They don't matter again."

Then I walked away and went upstairs ignoring them.

As I entered my bedroom my phone rang. It was my mother.

I picked up the call immediately and her worried voice sounded through the phone.

"What happened, Liliana? Where have you been? I've been worried sick!"

I chuckled softly, feeling lighter now that I'd erased all memories I had with the boys.

"I'm sorry, Mom, I didn't mean to worry you but I assure you, I'm fine," I said.

My mother sighed, relieved to hear my voice.

"Your father is still a bit upset with you because you ran off fifteen years ago and didn't come or call home."

I always knew my father was the difficult one. Don Lorenzo Valentino didn't forgive easily, and he didn't forget at all.

"I'll make it up to him when I'm back," I said.

My mother giggled cheerfully. "He's happy that you've finally agreed to the wedding though. The reason I was calling was because I wanted you to pick out your wedding dress. I sent a couple of pictures."

"Mom, don't worry. I'll come back soon so we can go shopping for wedding dresses instead, how does that sound?" I asked.

She chuckled happily. "Oh that sounds wonderful, Liliana. I'll be waiting."

"Alright then, Mom, I'll be back in time for the wedding dress shopping," I said and hung up.

Just then the door was pushed open and the two boys stood before me, their eyes wide with horror.

"Wedding? What wedding?" Giacomo asked.

The boys stared at me, folding their arms across their chests.

"What do you want?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

"Who were you talking to? And what wedding dress shopping?" Giacomo asked.

"My wedding. And you both aren't invited," I answered nonchalantly.

The boys stared at each other, then burst into laughter.

"Oh, stop, Liliana. You're already married to Giacomo," Pietro said.

"Yes, babe, if you're doing this to get my attention, then don't bother," Giacomo added.

I stared at them. I should have felt insulted by their audacity in assuming that I was bound to him and wouldn't marry anyone else, but I kept calm.

"I was talking to my friend about her wedding," I said instead.

Pietro frowned. "You don't have any friends besides Nadina."

I glared at him. "I have a lot of friends."

Giacomo sighed. "So about earlier, we're sorry we've not been paying you any attention. It's just with Nadina and the baby, everything is so sudden—"

"How did Nadina become pregnant and I didn't know? Who's the father?" I asked, interrupting him.

I wanted to know what lie he would tell just to keep his secret.

Giacomo exchanged a nervous glance with Pietro, and Pietro spoke up immediately.

"The baby is mine!"

Giacomo nodded quickly. "Yes, it's Pietro's. We just didn't know how to tell you 'cause Pietro and Nadina hooked up once and then she got pregnant and, you know, she's your best friend and all," Giacomo rambled.

"Yeah," Pietro nodded.

His thumb pressed into the center of his opposite palm without him seeming to notice.

I stared at them, half-amused. They must think I'm such an idiot, like I haven't figured out the truth yet.

"Listen, maybe I've been a bit harsh on you, especially with the customs situation. It's just you've been making things hard for us too," Giacomo said.

"Also, what did you go to do at customs?" Pietro asked.

"I was trying to get my passport. I lost mine," I lied smoothly.

They nodded, and Giacomo started speaking again.

"So… how about we take you to lunch tomorrow afternoon? It'd be like old times, just the three of us," Giacomo suggested.

I frowned. "What about Nadina and the baby?"

"It's just one afternoon. I'm sure they'll be fine," Giacomo said.

I nodded. "Alright, that's fine."

They smiled excitedly and hugged me, even though it made my skin crawl.

When they left, I locked the door, grabbed my suitcase, and started shoving the rest of my things inside.

When I was done, I hid it under the bed.

Then I brought out the plane tickets my mother had sent, along with my passport, which I had grabbed from the mailbox earlier.

My flight was at noon.

The same time I was supposed to be at lunch with the boys.

Imagine their surprise when they waited… and I never arrived.

Filled with quiet excitement for my trip tomorrow, I decided to sleep early and rest my aching body.

By morning, the boys were knocking furiously on my door. I opened it and was instantly blinded by a slap that sent me reeling to the floor.

I saw stars as I saw Giacomo standing over me, his eyes bloodshot with anger. His right fist clenched and unclenched at his side, over and over, like a second heartbeat.

"W…what is going on?" I managed to croak out.

"What did you do to my baby? Something is wrong and she's not breathing properly, you vile creature!" Giacomo yelled at me.

"I… I didn't do anything, I've been sleeping—"

Nadina's loud sobs interrupted me as she ran toward me and knelt. Her fingertips found the hollow of her throat.

"If you were upset why didn't you hurt me instead, huh? Why offer to feed my baby last night and poison her?" Nadina cried.

I was stunned. "Poison? Feed? I haven't even left—"

"And to think we were trying to be nice to you. Witch!" Pietro spat on me, interrupting me.

"If anything happens to Angela, I will make sure you beg for death, Liliana!" Giacomo swore.

I watched with swollen eyes as they all left in a hurry. I slowly stood up from the floor, my ribs aching in pain.

Wincing slightly I stared at the calendar and a bitter smile crossed my lips. Today was the four-year anniversary of my fake blood-bound union with Giacomo.

I took off my clothes and stood in front of the mirror naked and I couldn't recognize the woman staring back at me.

She seemed to have aged faster than her age. She was covered in bruises, the price she paid trying to make love work.

I shook my head. This isn't the woman I want to keep being. I walked into the bathroom and took a long hot shower as I massaged my swollen eyes with an ice pack.

Then I did a little makeup and dressed up in a beautiful short red dress. The next time I looked into the mirror again with my dark sunglasses, I saw a different woman filled with confidence.

I spent the next hour curating an anniversary package for Giacomo. I wrapped up three boxes and wrote a small note and pinned it to those boxes as I gave them to the courier.

"Make sure they're delivered and opened immediately. Giacomo Russo. The Russo compound," I instructed.

After the courier left, I grabbed my bag and ordered a ride. As I stood inside the compound one last time, a cruel laugh escaped my lips.

"Wait for my vendetta, sweet Russo family," I whispered.

Then I turned on the gas and walked to the front door. I lit the match and threw it into the house and walked out.

As my car drove me to the airport, I watched as the Russo compound exploded in flames and I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Burning down a family's house. In the old language, it meant total war. Absolute severance.

But this was only the beginning of what I had planned for them.

They just wait and see.