The Don of the Falcieri family was assassinated by a rival family, leaving behind his widowed wife, Livia.

His younger brother, my husband Caius, took his place as Don.

With the title came a duty: to secure the Falcieri bloodline by putting a child in his brother's widow.

"Alessia's been barren for years. It falls to Livia to do what she couldn't. The Falcieri family cannot be without an heir."

The Madre's voice dripped with scorn.

Caius held me close, whispering promises. "As soon as Livia is pregnant, I swear I'll never touch her again."

"Alessia, you're the only one I love."

Three months, and he hasn't set foot in our bedroom.

After he ignored me in front of everyone, choosing Livia time and time again, I finally left. I took what was mine and left one thing behind: a DNA test.

It was my final gift to Caius.

At the grand Falcieri Derby, my husband Caius held his brother’s widow, Livia, nestled against him.

Her swollen belly carried the heir he was commanded to give her—the product of nights spent in her bed, not mine.

The air was thick with the scent of leather and whiskey. A few of Caius's men stood at a respectful distance.

"Caius, look how gentle she is," Livia cooed, stroking her stomach, "Our baby will love her."

The horse was our wedding gift.

My gift.

Named after me—Alessia's Vow.

Caius's arm was wrapped tightly around Livia, just as he used to hold me.

I leaned against the oak fence, a silent spectator to this woman's theater in my husband's arms.

The Madre, Caius's mother, stood nearby, the diamond on her hand glinting in the dim light. "Don't be sentimental. You carry the Falcieri heir. The next Don. This horse was always meant for his mother."

Only then did Caius notice me standing in the shadows of the stable entrance.

He slowly released Livia and walked toward me.

"The doctor said calm animals are good for the pregnancy," he explained, refusing to meet my eyes. "Livia needs this kind of companionship."

I looked at the man who had once sworn he loved only me.

Though a flicker of unease crossed his eyes, his pride kept his tone firm.

"Alessia, please understand. It's temporary. Once the baby is born…"

He didn't finish. Instead, the reins—a symbol of our vows—slipped from his grasp and into Livia's waiting hands.

Livia feigned reluctance, but couldn't hide the triumphant smirk that touched her lips.

As she reached for the reins, her foot conveniently caught on a stirrup.

"Ah!" she cried out weakly, collapsing into Caius's arms.

"Careful!" Caius lunged forward to steady her.

"Oh, my God, the baby!" Livia clutched her stomach, tears instantly welling in her eyes. "I'm so clumsy."

Everyone rushed to her side, fussing over her. I was the only one who remained where I stood, a cold observer to the melodrama.

My silence seemed to provoke the Madre. She closed in, her voice a low hiss. "Alessia, you've been married into this family for five years, and your womb has been empty. Now that we finally have someone to continue our bloodline, don't tell me you can't even part with a damn animal?"

"She is carrying our bloodline, risking her life for it. And you? You've given this family nothing but five empty years."

"I don't care what that soldier father of yours taught you. Here, a woman's worth is measured by the sons she can bear."

I stared at the horse, remembering my wedding night when Caius had gently kissed my wrist.

He had told me that in the Falcieri family, a prized horse was the most noble of gifts, a promise that this mare would witness our love.

Now, she was a prize for another woman.

"She's a gentle horse," I said, my voice so calm it surprised even me. "Better suited for someone who needs to rest."

My composure seemed to unnerve Caius more than any angry outburst would have. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

That night, he came back to our bedroom.

It was the first time in three months.

The air in the room was cold and heavy.

"Alessia," he began, approaching me from behind, trying to embrace me. "I know you're angry. But Livia's situation is delicate, and the Madre…"

I didn't move.

"I'll build you a new stable," he rushed to say, his voice pleading. "Ten times bigger, filled with champions. Just... be patient a little longer. For the family. For me."

He reached out to pull me into his arms.

But a mixture of scents on his clothes made me freeze.

It was stable hay and the whiskey on his breath. But underneath it all, something else: the cloying sweetness of gardenias.

Livia's perfume.

I fought the wave of nausea, my brow furrowing.

For the first time, the very air around him made me sick.

The silence of the night shattered—a frantic pounding on the door, a guard's deep shout.

"Don! It's an emergency!"

Livia's name cut through the commotion.

Caius shot up from the bed.

"What is it?" He threw on a shirt and yanked open the heavy oak door.

"It's Livia, Don!" The guard's voice was tight with panic. "She's locked herself in her room. Hysterical. Says she's going to... harm the baby!"

The color drained from Caius's face.

He shoved past me. I stumbled, my hip cracking against the sharp corner of the dressing table.

Tears sprang to my eyes from the pain, but I bit back any sound.

He didn't even spare me a second glance, rushing past me like a storm.

I steadied myself against the wall and watched him tear down the hall, his men close behind, a storm headed for Livia's room.

Pushing myself off the dressing table, I slowly followed.

The hallway was brightly lit, a dozen men crowded outside Livia's door.

"Livia! Open the door!" Caius slammed his fist against the wood. "Don't do anything stupid!"

A heart-wrenching sob came from inside.

"Caius… I'm scared… I'm so scared…" Livia's voice trembled. "If I don't make it, at least let the baby…"

"Don't talk nonsense! You'll be fine! We'll both be fine!"

"Just open the door!"

His voice was laced with pure panic.

I leaned against the far wall, saying nothing.

"Break it down!" Caius ordered his men.

Marco and two others slammed their shoulders into the door.

On the third impact, the lock gave way.

Caius was the first one through.

I walked to the doorway, ready for the rest of the show.

Livia was sobbing brokenly, her voice pitiful.

"Caius… I didn't want to say anything… but this afternoon… Alessia sent a maid with some special broth…"

"She said it was a tonic, to help with the pregnancy…"

"But after I drank it, my stomach started to hurt, and I broke out in a cold sweat."

Caius spun around, roaring at the men in the hall. "Get the family doctor! Now!"

Livia grabbed his hand, feigning reassurance. "Don't worry, the doctor has already been here. He gave me some medicine. I feel much better now."

My blood ran cold.

I had never sent her anything.

"And the maid…" Livia choked on a sob, pausing for effect. "She said this child… was a curse."

The room fell into a dead silence.

After a few seconds, I heard Caius's low, resolute voice.

"Livia, you and this child are the future of the Falcieri family. No one will harm you."

"I promise."

The words were followed by the sound of an embrace and soft, comforting whispers.

Ten minutes later, Caius emerged from the room.

His eyes burned with a cold fire.

He saw me standing in the hallway and strode toward me.

"Alessia!" His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "What did you do to Livia?"

"I did nothing," I said, meeting his gaze calmly.

Caius trapped me against the wall, his hands slamming down on either side of my head. "Did you try to kill my son?"

"Your son?" I laughed, the sound brittle. "Caius, are you really so blind you think that baby is yours?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" He slammed his fist into the wall next to me. "Don't try to change the subject."

I looked at the rage in his eyes, a fire hot enough to consume me.

This man was completely blinded.

"I sent her nothing," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "But you'd rather believe her tears than listen to a single word from me."

"Then why would she lie about it?"

"Because she needs an enemy to secure her position."

His expression hardened into pure fury.

"Alessia, this is your last warning. Livia is carrying the Falcieri heir. If you dare to hurt her again…"

"You'll what?" I stared directly into his eyes. "Shove me aside like you did tonight? Or just throw me out of this house for good?"

He opened his mouth, but he was speechless.

I turned and walked back to my room, my hip still throbbing with a dull ache.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I watched the sky outside the window slowly turn gray.

Dawn was breaking.

I opened a drawer and took out a new, untraceable burner phone.

I dialed an overseas number.

"It's me," I whispered into the receiver. "Initiate Plan B."

A low, steady voice came back from the other end.

"Understood, Lady Ares. Your new workshop in Antwerp is ready."

The next morning, before the sun had fully bathed the estate in light, I heard a sharp knock on my door.

"The Madre requests your presence in the living room. Immediately," a guard said, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

I had just stepped out of the shower, my hair still dripping.

But the matriarch of the Falcieri family doesn't wait for anyone.

I dressed quickly and descended the spiral staircase.

In the living room, Caius was feeding imported cherries to Livia, one by one. She was half-reclined on the leather sofa, her pregnant belly prominent.

As if she were already the Donna of this house.

Caius's hand froze mid-air when he saw me enter.

"Alessia, you look pale," he said, rising and walking toward me, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

The Madre scoffed. "Why wouldn't she look rested? She bears none of the weight. Unlike our Livia, who barely slept, worrying over the little Don in her womb."

Her gaze was as sharp as a knife. "Alessia, after you frightened her last night, Livia's condition has worsened. I had the best fortune-teller come, and he said the east wing guest room she's in has bad energy, harmful for the fetus."

"Of all the rooms in this house, only your jewelry studio in the south wing gets the best light. It's the only place suitable for her to rest."

"What?" Though I knew they would find a way to target me, I hadn't expected them to come for my studio.

It was my sanctuary. My design table, my tools, every piece I had ever crafted with my own hands…

"I need that studio," I said, my voice low and firm.

Caius knew better than anyone how much that place meant to me. He used to come there himself, to sit with me and find inspiration.

But now, when I looked at him, he avoided my gaze.

"A woman's hobby?" she sneered. "You think your trinkets are more important than the Falcieri heir?"

"A hobby?" My voice was quiet. "That's my work."

"Work?" The Madre scoffed. "Alessia, you married into this family five years ago. Your only duty was to continue the bloodline. Now that Livia is fulfilling that duty, what 'work' do you need?"

Livia chose that moment to start sobbing, one hand on her belly, the other dabbing at her eyes. "Mother, please, let it go. I know I'm just a widow, I have no right to ask for anything. I'd live in the stables if it meant the baby would be born safely."

She lifted her tear-streaked face to Caius. "All I want is to give you a healthy son…"

For a fleeting moment, I saw him struggle, caught between his duty to the family and me. But in the end, he abandoned me.

"Alessia, it's just temporary. After the baby is born, I'll build you a bigger, better studio."

"For the future of this family… can't you make this one sacrifice?"

I looked at this man.

He was destroying everything I held dear for another woman's lies.

My horse, my studio, my dignity.

But none of it mattered anymore.

"Fine," I said, my voice even. "I'll have my things out by evening."

Caius was stunned, clearly not expecting me to give in so easily. "You don't have to be in such a hurry…"

"Thank you, sister!" Livia chirped, cutting him off. The tears on her cheeks were still wet, but a smirk was already playing on her lips. "Caius, I'm craving Italian white truffles. Could you go get some for me yourself?"

Caius's attention shifted instantly. He sat back down beside her, gently stroking her belly. "Of course. I'll have the freshest ones flown in from Milan."

I turned and walked away, every step like walking on knives.

Back in my studio, I began to pack. Every design tool, every sketch.

"Ma'am, what are you doing?" my assistant, Sarah, asked, her eyes wide.

"Pack up all of my personal belongings," I said, my voice like ice. "Don't touch a single thing that belongs to the Falcieri family."

Sarah looked at me with worry. "But your pieces, all your hard work…"

"It won't be wasted," I said, gently touching an unfinished ruby ring. "They will see the light of day in a better place."

Soon. This would all be over soon.

Late that night, Caius knocked on the door of my temporary room.

His eyes were filled with guilt. "Alessia, I know this is unfair to you."

"I want a divorce, Caius." My voice was quiet, but steady as stone.

"A divorce? Over a room?" He sounded incredulous. "Alessia, stop acting like a spoiled child. You are the Donna of this family. Start seeing the bigger picture."

"Once Livia has the baby, everything will go back to the way it was. I promise."

Back to the way it was?

How laughable. The past where he personally destroyed my dreams?

After Livia moved into my studio, she became even more brazen. She acted as the lady of the house, demanding Caius's constant attention and never allowing him to see me alone.

The only time I saw him was at the breakfast table, surrounded by family.

And every time, Livia would cradle her belly, drawing all attention to her and her "future heir."

Three days later, it was my birthday.

To my surprise, Caius remembered.

He found me in the library, his expression apologetic.

"Alessia, it's your birthday. I want to spend the day with you."

"I booked us a private island. It has the best skydiving facility in the state. You always wanted to try it."

Just as I was about to answer, Livia appeared, flanked by two bodyguards.

"Caius," she murmured, her smile a secret. "I think our son wants to say hello."