Emma hung the last garland on her tree, which looked as though it had caught a bad cold. A few needles fell at her feet before she even finished walking around it. She looked at them, wondering if her situation could get any worse. She flicked one of the ornaments, and it swung cheerfully; then a second tuft of needles fell to the ground.

"I'm sincerely sorry, Miss Brok."

The doctor's words had been ringing in her ears for nearly a week. Emma massaged her temples to make them disappear before a new wave of panic invaded her body, already sore from the terrible news.

Just a few weeks ago, she was dancing in the middle of her living room, bursting with joy over the pregnancy she had dreamed of for so long. She had no idea that this baby was the child of one of the most formidable men in Italy-the ruler of the most influential dynasty in the country.

Emma paced around her small living room, shuffling her feet. She stopped in front of her laptop to look for the umpteenth time at the photo of the man from behind, partially hidden by two others. In truth, the photo was of no help at all.

She let out a muffled gasp and resumed pacing. What should she do? What were her options?

To stay silent?

After all, she was the only one who knew, and the doctor who had inseminated her was risking his career if he ever mentioned it. His mistake was severe; he had even begged her not to say a word.

Emma crossed her arms and stared at her Christmas tree, tilting her head to the side, as if it held the answer to her problem.

This grave error had massive consequences for her and for the man who had provided the sperm sample-intended strictly to be kept for future use or in the event of his death, to ensure an heir and continue his family line.

Emma felt a surge of nausea and rushed into the bathroom.

She sat in front of the toilet for a long time, weighing the pros and cons.

Two solutions presented themselves:

First: Tell the man the whole truth.

Second: Remain silent, pray to the heavens that he would never miss the sample that now rested in her womb, and raise the baby while forgetting this whole ordeal.

She stood up, holding onto the sink to face her reflection-that of a completely lost young woman who no longer knew what the right choice was.

To make the right decision, Emma needed to meet this man.

Only then would she choose.

With a tender, protective gesture, she placed her hands on her still-flat stomach.

Her heart began to race as she tried to map out a plan for tomorrow. To even attempt to see him, she had to enter the property-a compound that was surely secured from every possible angle.

Emma had to get past the gate at all costs.

***

The next day, when she finally located the famous Palazzo, Emma knew she had no chance of getting through the large gate perched high on a hill. Lowering her car window, she took a breath of fresh air coming off the nearby sea. She suddenly wanted to flee the place-to run away from reality.

She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, keeping her eyes glued to the large white gate in the hope that fate would side with her. Unfortunately, after half an hour, nothing had happened. Emma rubbed her temples, turned the ignition, and drove down the restricted lane to circle the property.

Once on the other side, Emma got out of her car, the door squeaking shut behind her.

Despite it being winter, the afternoon was filled with floral scents, with no snowflakes to suggest that the year-end holidays were approaching. She readjusted her coat and walked toward the outer walls. Channeling an intruder, she treaded carefully through the tall grass and approached the closed gate, peeking through a narrow gap that offered a glimpse of a beautiful green lawn.

"You are on private property!"

At the sound of the voice, Emma startled and spun around to face the stranger shouting at her. Her blood froze instantly when she found herself face-to-face with a man who looked strikingly like the one she had been trying in vain to meet. Tall and dark, his elegant black suit failed to hide his athletic frame. When she managed to look into his eyes, she was left speechless. His face bore features of a hard, unyielding character-hostile, masculine, proud, and icy. His thick black eyebrows were furrowed, his mouth set in a grimace reminiscent of a ticking time bomb. As he took a harsh step forward, the brilliant glare of the sun reflected on his bronze, distinctly Italian features.

Without a doubt, the father of her baby was standing right in front of her.

By some miracle, she managed to pull herself together.

"I know, I'm sorry... I got lost and I..."

"You often lose your way down restricted lanes?" he interrupted, his voice as sharp as a cleaver.

Emma swallowed hard.

"No... no, of course not. I was just curious... and lost."

Her answer reignited his anger, and Emma cursed herself for saying it.

"Journalist?" he deduced, grabbing her by the arm.

She suppressed a grimace and raised her head to look at him.

"Not at all!"

His grip tightened, sending a jolt of shock up to her elbow and flushing her face crimson.

"Then what are you doing here?" he asked insidiously.

His voice was so low and harsh it made her sick to her stomach.

"I'm sorry I walked down your driveway... It's a... a terrible misunderstanding," she stammered, casting her eyes downward.

"Your name. Immediately!" he demanded, shaking her slightly.

Her vision blurred, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

"Emma Brok..."

He tilted his broad head toward hers, making her feel as though she were suffocating. Flustered, she gathered the strength to lift her chin.

His piercing gaze held so much hostility that her lips parted to draw in a breath while he unashamedly sized her up.

There was nothing gentle or kind about him.

"I could have you arrested for trespassing," he stated smoothly.

"But you won't, will you?" she asked, her face pale.

So this was the father of her child? Emma hated herself for listening to her heart and stepping onto this property just to meet him. Now, her choice was made...

She just had to find a way to escape.

"I arrived in Tuscany not long ago. I'm English. I wanted to take a walk and I got lost."

Emma paused, but he remained completely cold and unmoved.

"When I saw your Palazzo, I was curious and just wanted to admire it. Please forgive me, sir..."

He released her arm and drew himself up.

Emma massaged her aching elbow, suppressing a wince.

"Leave quickly, before I change my mind!" he barked.

She backed away from him without looking back. She never would have imagined that a man so devilishly attractive could be so contemptuous and ruthless.

Emma scrambled into her car, shooting a furtive glance in his direction. Seeing him approach her vehicle with clenched fists, she shifted into gear, squealed her tires on the gravel, and slammed her foot on the accelerator.