"Eliana, are you serious?" Julian Hayes called the moment he received my message.

The moment I said yes, his voice trembled with unconcealed joy.

"That's wonderful! But I'm still overseas; it'll be a few days before I can get back. Eliana, can you wait for me? I'll come for you next week!"

I agreed without a second thought. If Lorenzo was willing to fake his own death just to be rid of me, there was no reason for me to hold on any longer.

The next day, the De Luca family held a memorial service for him at the estate's chapel. I dressed in black mourning clothes, ready to attend… only to be stopped at the door by the family's Soldati.

"Ms. Ricci, you cannot enter."

I stiffened, my voice turning to ice. "I am his widow. Why can't I attend?"

"Eliana, I'm so sorry," a cloying voice cut in. "But Lorenzo gave instructions before he passed—there was to be only one woman at his memorial, and that woman is me."

Carina stood before me, a delicate wreath of lilies in her hair, her words laced with malice.

"You've been cast out by the De Luca family. You have no place here. You should leave on your own before you embarrass yourself further."

My chest heaved with anger. "This is the De Luca estate. What right do you have to tell me to leave?"

"And what if 'Matteo' was the one who said it?" A smirk played on her lips, her eyes dripping with contempt.

A familiar figure passed the doorway. Then, with startling speed, Carina grabbed my hand, slammed it against her own chest, and threw herself violently to the ground.

"Carina! Are you alright?"

"Matteo"—no, Lorenzo—rushed over, pulling her up with a look of alarm before turning to roar at me.

"Eliana, what the hell do you think you're doing? Carina was just trying to talk to you, and you dared to lay a hand on her?"

"Matteo, it's all my fault," Carina murmured tearfully, her eyes wide with wounded innocence. "I just assumed she knew about today's arrangements, so I told her. I didn't expect her to react so strongly. If she doesn't want me at the memorial, I'll just leave."

She made to turn away, but he caught her wrist and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"No, Carina, you've done nothing wrong. The one who should leave is her."

He held her gently, but his gaze turned on me, seething with disgust.

"Eliana, my brother made it clear that only Carina could attend. You have no right to be here. Leave on your own before I have you thrown out. Don't embarrass yourself."

I stared at the face I had loved for five years, now a mask of cruelty. The pain in my chest was so sharp it stole my breath.

He had sworn we would be together forever, until death do us part. Eliana, we'll be together forever.

And yet, the man who had pledged his eternal loyalty to me wouldn't even let me attend his fake funeral.

"Matteo, are you sure those were Lorenzo's words?"

I gave him one last look, a sliver of hope still flickering in my heart.

But I knew the truth—he was Lorenzo. And the coward would do nothing but hide behind his brother's name to crush me.

For a fleeting moment, his expression wavered, but it quickly hardened again. "Of course. Eliana, you have been cast out of the De Luca family. Do not show your face at an event like this again."

Without another glance at me, he led Carina away.

Tears blurred my vision. My heart plummeted into a darkness so profound it felt like I was suffocating. Five years of love, and I wasn't even allowed a proper goodbye.

Fine, I thought, a bitter resolve hardening inside me. If you think she's more deserving, then so be it. I'll cut all ties and leave you to each other.

When I returned to the estate, physically and emotionally drained, I picked up the phone and dialed the number of a discreet private clinic.

"Hello, yes, I'd like to schedule an abortion for tomorrow."

After the memorial, Carina began parading herself around as Lorenzo's widow. She dropped hints to anyone who would listen that she and her "brother-in-law," Matteo, would soon be an item, stirring up a storm of gossip.

"Matteo" must have noticed how pale I was after the service, because he rushed home to explain himself.

"Eliana, what happened today wasn't about shutting you out. There were too many people at the memorial, and you're pregnant. I was worried something might happen to you in the chaos. Please don't misunderstand."

He placed some expensive supplements in my room and carefully instructed the housekeeper, Lucia, to take good care of me.

He used to be like this with me, so thoughtful and attentive. But now, every gesture felt like a mockery.

They wouldn't acknowledge me publicly, yet they feigned concern for my health. Even these so-called apology gifts weren't for me—they were to ensure the safe arrival of the De Luca heir.

You're a brilliant actor, Lorenzo, I thought bitterly.

I forced a wry smile. "It's alright. There were many guests today; it's natural for the De Luca family to be cautious. It's just… those rumors in the family, don't you—"

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. "Lorenzo asked me to protect Carina. As long as she agrees, I'm willing to marry my brother's widow."

I couldn't help but laugh—a sharp, hollow sound.

So that was their game. They were already entangled, yet they had to pretend their union was a noble sacrifice for the family.

How long do you plan on keeping up this act, Lorenzo?

But I no longer had the strength to expose them.

Without the child, there was nothing left to tie me here.

Just as I was about to be wheeled into the operating room, my phone buzzed. It was him. Thinking it was urgent, I answered the video call, only for the screen to fill with the sickening sight of him thrusting into Carina, their ragged breaths filling the audio.

"Lorenzo, what if Eliana refuses to leave after the baby is born?"

"Don't worry. I'll throw her out then. If it wasn't for giving the De Luca family an heir, I couldn't be bothered to even look at her."

"That's wonderful. I knew you loved me the most."

The sounds on the other end dissolved into lewd moans. I hung up.

"Ms. Ricci," the doctor asked gently, "the fetus is developing very well. Are you certain you want to terminate the pregnancy?"

"Yes," I said. "Begin the procedure."

If this child was fated to be born into such a venomous conspiracy, it was better for it to be gone before it could feel any pain.

After the surgery, I steadied myself against the wall and left the clinic. Outside, Lorenzo's car was waiting.

"Lucia told me you were here. Are you feeling unwell?"

His anxious gaze darted to my stomach, terrified that something had happened to the baby.

"It's nothing. Just morning sickness. I had the doctor prescribe something for me."

He let out a breath of relief, though a flicker of guilt crossed his face.

"Just now… my phone might have accidentally called you. You didn't see anything, did you?"

"No," I lied smoothly. "The doctor took my phone as soon as I answered."

"Good, that's good." He finally relaxed his shoulders.

"Let's go home. I had Lucia make your favorite dish."

"Mm."

We drove the rest of the way in silence.

The moment we returned, Carina bounced over and threw her arms around his neck gleefully.

"Matteo, I've chosen our wedding date! Next weekend! Everyone in the family thinks it's a great date. What do you think?"

He tapped her nose affectionately. "Sounds good. Whatever you want."

"But... isn't that the same weekend as Ms. Eliana's prenatal check-up?" Lucia piped up from the kitchen. She had been with me since Lorenzo and I first started dating and was naturally more partial to me than to Carina.

Carina's face fell instantly. "Matteo, even your maids dare to talk back to me. It seems there's no place for me in this house."

He pulled her closer, looking pained, and turned to glare at Lucia. "This doesn't concern you. Leave."

After Lucia scurried away, he hesitated for a moment before softening his tone toward me.

"Eliana, I know Lorenzo always went with you to your check-ups. But a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I can't let Carina have any regrets. Is it alright if Lucia goes with you this time?"

I nodded obediently, pretending not to see the triumphant glint in Carina's eyes.

But Lorenzo, you don't know it yet, but I don't need any more check-ups.

He led her upstairs. The two of them whispered about their wedding plans, and their laughter floated down the staircase, cutting into my skin like knives.

I picked up my phone and dialed Don Valerio De Luca's number.

"Father, Mother, 'Matteo' is getting married next weekend. And there's something else I need to tell you."