My head snapped up. "How do you know?"

Serena laughed smugly. "Don't think everyone is as useless as you. The day you went to the hospital, every pill you picked up—I knew all of it. And you were planning to tell Carlo about the pregnancy? Let me tell you something. Even if you tell him, he'll just wish you were dead."

Rage consumed me, leaving me without rationality.

I raised my hand, about to fling the wine straight at her. But my wrist was seized midair, clamped down hard.

Carlo had appeared out of nowhere.

His expression was dark, his grip so tight that it felt as though my bones would be crushed. He snarled, "What do you think you're doing, Lydia?"

"She humiliated me!" I yelled, my eyes burning red.

Carlo scoffed, "Humiliated you? Even if she did, you just have to take it."

He stared at me with icy indifference, delivering his warning one word at a time. "Know your place and leave her alone. Otherwise, I'll make sure you can't survive in the La Rosa famiglia."

…

The climax of the gala came with the unveiling of the black panther Carlo kept on his estate.

He had brought it back from the Abryde savanna. It was untamed and dangerous, symbolizing his power and status.

A massive iron cage was rolled out. The black panther paced restlessly inside, its golden eyes gleaming with a chilling light.

The guests gathered around, fearful yet excited.

Eager to flaunt her close relationship with Carlo, Serena deliberately had someone open a small gap in the protective barrier. "It looks tame, Carlo. May I pet it?"

He looked at her, his gaze full of affection. "Be careful. Don't get too close."

Serena was truly playing with fire.

I watched coldly from the side.

A wild animal like that was never meant to be treated like a pet.

Serena picked up a feather toy and started provoking the black panther.

Cameras flashed wildly, and the harsh bursts of lights agitated the black panther.

Suddenly, it let out a thunderous roar and slammed into the cage. The latch, which hadn't been properly secured, snapped open instantly.

With a deafening roar, the black panther burst free, lunging straight toward Serena, who was the nearest.

Chaos erupted at the venue, and screams filled the air.

I was the closest to Serena. Out of instinct, I reached for the safety lever, trying to shut the gate. But just as I reached out, I caught a wicked glint in her gaze.

She wasn't as panicked as I had expected her to be. Instead, she took advantage of the chaos and subtly stuck out her foot.

I lost my balance and fell forward, straight toward the black panther's open jaws.

Hot breath rushed toward me, and I could feel the pull of death almost nearing.

A gunshot rang out. Carlo had drawn his pistol, yet he was too near me.

As he fired, his first instinct was to turn around and shield Serena completely in his arms. In doing so, his elbow struck backward forcefully, landing squarely against my abdomen.

The impact sent me flying. I crashed hard into the edge of a marble table behind me, like a discarded doll.

A sharp, tearing pain exploded from my abdomen.

I let out a scream as cold sweat drenched my body, and the world seemed to drop into silence.

I curled up on the floor, feeling something warm trickling down my thighs. It was my baby.

My hands trembled as I reached down. They came back stained red, soaking into the pale fabric of my evening gown.

Carlo wasn't aware of what had just happened. He anxiously scooped Serena up in his arms and rushed toward the exit. "Serena? Are you okay, Serena?"

As he passed me, he paused for a moment. His gaze was filled with disgust and irritation. "Stop pretending. What an eyesore!"

Carlo then left without looking back, with Serena in his arms. I was left abandoned on the icy marble floor, my body gradually turning numb.

Everyone around me finally realized what was happening and started screaming.

"There's blood! So much blood!"

"Oh my god, Madre La Rosa lost her baby!"

My vision started to fade as I lay in a pool of my own blood.

Carlo, with our baby gone, I no longer wanted you.