After I was discharged, Antonio claimed he was tied up with casino operations and never showed up again.

As for me, I went to a church and asked a priest to say a Mass for the child I had lost. I wasn't religious, but I still hoped my baby was at peace.

When I pushed the door open, I saw Silvia at the piano, accompanying the children's choir.

The last chord rang out, but it hit a wrong note, jarring against the melody.

Before I knew what I was doing, I stepped forward, pressed the right key, and said, "It should be played like this."

Silvia didn't know who I was. When she looked at me, her eyes were bright with innocence.

"You play the piano?" she asked. "No wonder… I always mess up at this part."

A faint smile touched my lips, and Silvia fell into easy conversation with me.

As soon as she learned that I had come for the child I had lost, tears welled up in her eyes. Then, she dropped to her knees at the altar and prayed with all her heart.

"Please, let this child's soul find peace. Watch over this mother who has suffered. Keep her safe and healthy."

I stood rooted to the spot. Suddenly, a thought surfaced in my mind.

I wanted to warn Silvia to stay away from Antonio. After all, he was a heartless man. His gentleness was nothing but poison beneath a layer of sweetness.

But when my gaze fell on her pregnant stomach, the words caught in my throat.

If Silvia learned who I really was, she would break things off with Antonio without hesitation. And when that happened, he'd come after me like a madman.

The memory of Paolo's brutal death in my past life came rushing back, and I shuddered violently. There was only one day left. I couldn't gamble with my life or his.

Using confession as an excuse, I slipped into the confessional booth.

After I had collected myself, I stepped back out, only to feel a cold gun barrel pressed against my temple.

I turned around and saw that Silvia had already slumped to the floor.

Just as I was about to make my move, someone slammed their gun into the back of my neck, and everything went dark.

…

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in an abandoned warehouse. Both Silvia and I were tied to a pillar.

"Who are you? Why did you abduct us?" Silvia asked, sobbing softly.

In the next instant, someone struck her hard across the face.

The leader, a man with a scar on his face, grabbed Silvia by the hair and forced her to look up. He snarled, "It's all because of your fiance, Antonio! He took over my turf on the east side and killed my income! Aren't you the one he cares about? I'm going to make you suffer, little by little!"

So, they were from a gang on the east side. Antonio had only recently acquired that territory using my settlement agreement.

Fortunately, they didn't recognize me. But Silvia, who had been at his side lately, became their target.

I subtly flexed my wrists, using the tiny blade hidden beneath my nail to cut through the ropes. Having lived for years on the edge of danger, I always made sure to leave myself a way out.

When he saw that I was awake, Scarface spat at me. "You picked the wrong woman to be around. Call your family and tell them to bring 800 thousand Artherian dollars. If not, they can come collect your body."

Tears streamed down Silvia's face as she choked out, "I-I'm so sorry, Ms. Romano. I got you involved. But don't be afraid. My fiance will come and save us soon!"

Her eyes shone with trust, as if Antonio were her savior.

I didn't respond. Instead, I quickened my pace and cut the ropes faster.

Out of nowhere, Scarface lashed out. He kicked over an oil drum and bellowed, "Antonio doesn't believe me? Fine! I'll send him something he won't forget!"

As he spoke, he drew a knife, his cold and vicious gaze lingering on Silvia's belly.

"Get over here!" Scarface barked. "Cut that bastard out of her and send it to Antonio! Let him see it for himself."

My heart sank at once. If Silvia died here today, Antonio would make sure I paid for it.

Silvia shrank back in terror, pleading, "N-No… Please, don't hurt my child!"

Silvia cried pitifully, looking every bit the terrified prey. Yet, the sight of her stirred the men's savage instincts.

"Boss, this one looks promising. Why don't we have some fun first?" one of them growled.

At that moment, I wrenched free and leaped forward, elbow slamming into Scarface's jaw. With my other hand, I snatched his knife, swiftly cut through Silvia's ropes, and shielded her behind me.

Scarface clutched his jaw and roared, "Shit! Kill her!"

All at once, several burly men lunged at me.

I reacted quickly and took down the first man to charge. However, I was no match for four attackers. Blows rained down relentlessly. Even so, I bore the brunt, keeping Silvia pressed safely into the corner.

"Ms. Romano… Please, stop. I'm begging you… Let her go," Silvia pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

But Scarface had lost his patience. He clicked the gun into place, then aimed it at me. "You wretch! You're asking for it!"

Just as he pulled the trigger, a deafening blast thundered from the warehouse doors.

All heads whipped toward the entrance as Antonio and his men stormed in. In an instant, gunfire erupted.

Antonio barreled toward us like an enraged lion and scooped Silvia into his arms, murmuring, "It's okay, Silvia. I'm here."

She sobbed until she fainted in his arms. Then, he lifted her carefully into the car, gently brushing away her tears.

A beat later, he turned and strode toward me.

"Valentina," Antonio called out, his voice soft but laced with an icy edge. "What are you doing here?"

I forced myself upright, wincing against the pain, and met his scrutinizing gaze.

"Would you believe me if I said I just happened to be here?" I asked with a wry smile.

My words barely left my lips before a slap landed across my face. I crashed to the floor, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.

"Valentina Romano! When did you start believing in God?" Antonio asked sharply.

I spat out the blood, but in the end, I never spoke of the mass I held for my child.

Right then, Antonio grabbed one of the barely conscious attackers from the floor. He pressed his gun to the man's head and demanded, "Who sent you?"

The man shuddered, eyes wide with terror. Clinging to his last shred of hope, he glanced at me. "I-It was her! She paid us to teach that woman a lesson!"

My heart sank at once, and my blood ran cold.

Antonio let out a chuckle. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger and tossed the body aside.

After that, he crouched, crushing my fingers under his boot. Agony tore through me, and I screamed.

He let out a sigh. "Valentina, your hands used to do exactly as I willed. Why are they now hurting the woman I love most?"

He then drew a knife and added, "You scared my Silvia. Now, you'll pay with what you treasure most."

The blade shone with an icy glint. As soon as Antonio finished speaking, he plunged it into my palm, pinning it to the cold concrete floor.

Pain wracked me. My body convulsed as I screamed, nearly blacking out.

Even then, I remembered Antonio from years ago. He had kissed my hand and said, "Valentina's hands are for playing the piano. Anyone who touches them will pay with their lives."

"Antonio Gallo! I hate you! I never should've saved you ten years ago. And I never should've helped you take control of Oldshore!" I spat, my voice raw with despair.

Ten years ago, I had saved him. But in doing so, I had stepped straight into hell. And now, ten years later, he was the one who cut the last tie between us.

At that point, Antonio had turned to leave. His steps faltered briefly, yet he never looked back.

…

As the searing pain gave way to icy numbness, I used my left hand to fish a micro-tracker from beneath my clothes and pressed it with trembling fingers.

Before long, Luca hurried over with a medical kit. Tears welled up in his eyes when he saw the state I was in. Then, he carefully pulled out the knife.

My right hand was mangled, bloodied, and completely numb.

"Burn everything and wipe out every trace of me," I ordered. "From this day forward, there is no Valentina Romano, the gunwoman in Oldshore."

My voice was weak, yet it carried a resolve I had never known.