"This is to make up for last night."

Tommaso pushed a velvet jewelry box toward me. A pink diamond, which cost a fortune, lay in it.

The diamond sparkled beautifully in the morning light, but my heart remained unmoved. I glanced at it and gently pushed it back to him.

"Why would I be upset?" I said lightly, elegantly cutting into the steak on my plate. "In a month, she'll be moving in anyway."

Tommaso froze, his fork suspended in midair. "What do you mean?"

I didn't answer. I simply continued eating.

The crystal chandelier in the dining room veiled the space in a warm, convivial light, but the atmosphere was unusually tense. Footsteps echoed from the staircase as Gelsomina walked into the dining room. Her personal belongings had already been moved into the main house.

"Good morning, Ms. Gallo." She deliberately used my maiden name, her eyes filled with obvious intent to provoke me.

That form of address was like a thorn, reminding me of my outsider status in this house. It had five whole years, yet she'd never once addressed me as the Signora of the house. She wouldn't even use my first name.

I set down my knife and fork and looked at Tommaso. "How long does the withdrawal period usually last?"

"About a month." Tommaso seemed uncomfortable, avoiding my gaze. "The doctor said she needs round-the-clock supervision. She can't be far from someone she trusts."

"I understand." I nodded, my voice devoid of emotion as I continued, "Family comes first, after all."

Gelsomina smiled smugly and clung tightly to Tommaso's arm. But he frowned, seemingly surprised by my composure.

I thought back to our engagement party five years ago. It was held at the Volpe family estate. Every important figure in the family attended.

Just as Tommaso and I were exchanging engagement rings, Gelsomina suddenly rushed out and shattered the champagne tower in front of all the guests. Crystal shards scattered across the floor.

"Tommaso is mine!" she cried. "He can't marry anyone else!"

Tommaso had coaxed her gently then, telling me, "She's young. She doesn't understand. Don't take it personally."

And I simply smiled gracefully, as if nothing had happened.

"Tommaso, let's go to the private island for vacation," Gelsomina cooed. "Just the two of us, sì? Like before."

Gelsomina's voice pulled me back from my memories.

"Va bene." Tommaso agreed without hesitation.

"I'll arrange for security." I stood and smoothed my skirt. "Have a wonderful time."

Tommaso looked at me, something complicated flickering in his eyes as I turned and left the dining room. Behind me, Gelsomina's excited laughter rang out. She'd won, just like every other time over the past five years.

That evening, I was in the study handling family business, reviewing cargo manifests from the docks, and signing several important contracts.

Gelsomina's voice drifted from outside the door. She'd lowered her voice, but in the silence of the night, it was still perfectly audible.

"Tommaso, you're not allowed to touch that woman tonight." Her voice carried a threatening edge. "You promised me. While I'm staying here, you won't touch her."

"Sì, sì, I promise." Tommaso placated her helplessly. "Get some rest. We leave tomorrow."

"Swear it." Gelsomina wouldn't let it go.

"I swear."

The footsteps faded, and the door opened. Tommaso walked in. His gaze landed on my now-empty walk-in closet.

The expensive gowns, jewelry, and accessories were all gone; only bare hangers remained.

"Where are your clothes?" he asked, a hint of tension in his voice.

"I sent them for cleaning and maintenance." I didn't look up, continuing to sign documents.

He walked behind me and suddenly wrapped his arms around me. I could feel the warmth of his body, smell the faint cologne on his skin.

"Your sister doesn't want you touching me." I reminded him, my voice perfectly calm.

Tommaso paused, then held me even tighter. His chin rested on my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck.

"I want you. Is that okay?"

I thought of the obligation clause in our contract. "During the marriage, both parties shall fulfill marital duties."

The divorce proceedings would take time to finalize, and the contract hadn't fully expired yet. With that in mind, I nodded slowly. "Va bene."

That night felt endless. Tommaso was more intense than usual. I simply endured it quietly, my mind occupied with tomorrow's schedule.

The next morning, Tommaso had already left to handle family business. Apparently, there was trouble at the docks. A shipment needed his personal inspection.

I sat alone at the dining table. An elaborate breakfast was laid out before me, but I had no appetite.

I'd just taken a sip of coffee when my stomach suddenly churned violently. A wave of nausea surged up my throat. I hastily set down the coffee cup and rushed to the powder room, leaning over the sink as I dry heaved.

The marble counter was ice cold. I gripped the edge tightly, my knuckles turning white.

"Are you pregnant?" Gelsomina's voice came from the doorway. I turned to see her dark expression.

She was wearing clothes Tommaso had bought her. Her hair hung loose and messy, and her eyes burned with unrestrained fury.

"No." I wiped the corner of my mouth, struggling to stay composed.

"It's just an upset stomach."

"Liar!" Gelsomina suddenly shrieked, completely losing control. "I will never allow you to carry Tommaso's heir! Never!"

Her voice echoed off the marble walls, sharp as nails scraping across glass. I tried to walk past her, but she blocked my path.

"Move, Gelsomina." My voice was calm, but inside, I was already on alert.

"No!" She rushed to the doorway and shouted down the hall. "Someone! Hold her down!"

Two family enforcers hesitantly approached—Elio Benedetti and Salvatore Conti, both veterans who'd served the Volpe family for years.

They looked at me with conflicted expressions, not daring to actually lay hands on me. After all, I was the daughter of the Gallo family. Even in an arranged marriage, I wasn't someone they could casually assault.

"Ms. Volpe, this..." Elio tried to dissuade her.

"Shut up!" Gelsomina stormed toward Tommaso's study like a madwoman. "Useless, all of you!"

A few minutes later, she returned with a small bottle. The bottle contained a clear liquid that looked harmless, but I knew what it was.

"Gelsomina, calm down." I took a step back, my voice still even.

"I'm not pregnant. I can go to the hospital for a test."

"I don't believe you!" She lunged at me with surprising strength.

"You bitch! You want to trap Tommaso with a baby!"

She forced my jaw open, her nails digging deep into my skin. I tried to struggle, but she'd already poured the liquid down my throat.

Searing pain instantly consumed my entire body. It felt like countless knives were scraping my stomach from the inside. My stomach and esophagus burned like fire, and every breath was torture.

I curled up on the floor in agony, cold sweat soaking through my clothes.

"Signora!" A maid rushed over to help me, but it was already too late. My vision began to blur, and my consciousness faded.

Before I lost consciousness, all I heard was Gelsomina's deranged laughter and the wail of ambulance sirens.

When I woke again, I was lying in the family's private hospital. I stared at the white ceiling, breathing in antiseptic while machines beeped steadily around me.

Tommaso sat beside the bed, his face pale as paper. His eyes were filled with guilt and fear. His hand gripped mine tightly, and his palm was slick with sweat.

"Mi dispiace, Alessia." His voice was hoarse. "I didn't know she would... I thought she was just jealous. I never imagined she'd do something like this."

The family doctor, Giuseppe Mancini, approached with a grave expression.

"Don Volpe, was the Signora attacked by an enemy? How could someone use Veritas? That's one of the most caustic substances there is." He shook his head helplessly, his voice tinged with reproach.

"If we'd been any later, the Signora's stomach and esophagus would have been permanently scarred. We managed to save her life, but she'll need at least a month to fully recover."

"According to the household rules, she should be locked in the cells to reflect on her actions."

My voice rang out in the hospital room. I sounded calm because things like this had happened too many times before. I'd been able to tolerate it in the past, but this time it was a threat to my life.

The IV tube was still inserted in the back of my hand, but my tone was firm, leaving no room for compromise.

Tommaso's expression changed instantly. He strode quickly to the bedside. "Alessia, no."

"No?" I slowly sat up. My stomach still throbbed with dull pain. Each breath reminded me of the torture I'd just endured.

"She poisoned a family member's wife with a drug used for torture. In any family, that's a death sentence."

Dr. Mancini nodded in agreement. "The Signora is right, Don Volpe. According to the family code, this is indeed—"

"Shut up." Tommaso cut him off coldly, then turned to me, his eyes full of pleading. "For my sake, let it go. She was just worried about the family heir, so she acted impulsively."

I looked at him and burst into laughter. The sound was especially jarring in the quiet hospital room. Even the medical equipment on the walls seemed to hum in response.

"You're saying my stomach lining was scarred for nothing?"

Tommaso fell silent for a few seconds, avoiding my gaze. Then, he said with difficulty, "Try to understand. If it were your former fiancé, you'd protect him, too."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. He was right. If Marco had done something like this, I would have protected him, too.

"This is the last time."

Tommaso visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping. But his gaze suddenly fell on my hand, where I still wore the ring Marco had given me. It was a small emerald ring with an antique platinum band.

"Take it off." His voice carried a note of urgency.

"What?"

"That ring." There was anger in Tommaso's eyes as he continued, "You're the Signora of the Volpe family. You shouldn't be wearing something another man gave you."

I looked down at the ring. Marco had slipped it onto my finger before he died, his blood-stained fingers gently stroking my face as he promised to protect me for life. It was all I had left of him.

"This is my personal belonging. It has nothing to do with you."

"Take it off!" Tommaso's voice rose, tinged with an emotion I couldn't understand.

Just then, his phone rang. Gelsomina's crying came through again, her voice trembling as she wailed, "Tommaso, I'm so scared! The doctor says I might have lasting side effects. My hands won't stop shaking..."

Tommaso's expression changed instantly, pure worry flooding his eyes. He said to me, "We'll talk about this later."

He turned to leave, but I stopped him. "Tommaso."

He looked back at me, anxious to get out.

"There's something I think you should know." My voice was perfectly steady. "Tell your sister she can relax. I will never carry a Volpe heir."

"What do you mean?" Tommaso frowned.

"I had my tubes tied before the arranged marriage." I watched his shocked expression and continued, "To honor my love for Marco, I don't want anyone's child. Including yours."

Tommaso looked like he'd been struck by lightning, his face turning deathly pale. His phone was still ringing, but his attention was completely fixed on what I'd just said.

"Are you insane?" He rushed to the bedside and grabbed my shoulders, gripping hard enough to hurt. "Get it reversed immediately! This is your duty as the wife of a family heir!"

I shook my head, my voice still perfectly calm. "But our marriage contract is already in the dissolution process. I no longer have that duty."