After Nicoletta moved into the compound, Dante practically glued himself to her side.

And me? I stopped expecting anything from him the moment I saw the truth.

One night, as I walked downstairs to get some water, I heard her voice through the slightly open door of the guest room.

"Dante," she cooed, "I heard the Morano crest medallion really works wonders. The baby's been keeping me up at night... could I borrow it for a while?"

The medallion wasn't just a piece of jewelry. It was a Morano Family heirloom, centuries old, passed down through every generation. A symbol that whoever wore it was the rightful wife of the Don. Dante had given it to me on the day our alliance was sealed, fastened the chain around my neck himself. He said it would be mine forever. Because there would never be another Donna Morano.

His voice pulled me out of the memory.

Through the gap in the door, I saw him press a gentle kiss to her cheek and smile. "Of course. I'll ask her for it. You can wear it as long as you want. At least until the baby's born."

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest.

I couldn't even remember his exact promise anymore. But it didn't matter. Because clearly, neither could he.

I took a step back, but the floor creaked under my foot. Dante opened the door and found me standing there. He looked startled. Guilty, even. He stepped outside, pulled the door shut behind him and led me to a corner of the hallway. The house was quiet. Down the corridor, one of the soldiers stationed at the back entrance shifted his weight, then went still again, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.

"Seraphina... you heard that, didn't you?" he asked hesitantly.

I didn't say anything.

He hesitated again before speaking. "Nicoletta's been having trouble sleeping. Do you think you could let her borrow the medallion for a bit?"

I nodded slowly, but at that moment, a sharp pain twisted through my side. I winced and swallowed it down.

"I'll give it to her, but on one condition."

Dante's face lit up like I'd just handed him the moon. He stepped toward me, ready to wrap me in a hug, but I took a step back before he could touch me.

Nicoletta's scent was all over him. It made me want to gag.

"I'm glad you're finally coming around," he said with a relieved smile. "Once Nicoletta has the baby, I'll give it back. Don't worry. Your place in this family isn't going anywhere."

So he did remember what the medallion stood for.

"I don't care if she never gives it back," I said quietly. "I just need you to sign this."

I turned and walked upstairs.

A minute later, I came back down with the dissolution papers in hand, already flipped to the page where his signature was needed. The documents that would sever the blood-bound alliance between the Valente and Morano families. Every clause had been drawn up by my father's consigliere weeks ago. All it needed was the Don's name at the bottom.

"There's no need to be upset," he said softly, like he was trying to soothe me. "Nicoletta's not going to keep it forever. Like I said, I'll return it once she has the baby."

He signed the papers without even glancing at them.

As soon as I held the signed dissolution in my hands, the storm inside me quieted. I never expected it would be this easy. The Don of the Morano Family had just signed away his alliance with the Valentes. And he didn't even know it.

Dante gave me a small smile. "I know I haven't been there for you these past few months. Go ahead and buy whatever you want. I'll take care of the bill."

So that's why he was so quick to sign. He thought this was just me angling for a shopping spree.

I unclasped the medallion from around my neck and handed it to him, expressionless.

For a moment, he hesitated. His thumb traced the crest, the old silver warm from where it had rested against my skin. But eventually, he took it and held it tight.

"Don't worry. Once the baby's born, it'll be yours again," he repeated, like he needed to convince himself.

But I didn't care anymore.

"She can wear it for as long as she wants," I said flatly.

Overcome with emotion, Dante pulled me into a hug. I pushed him off immediately, but he didn't seem to mind. He turned and walked straight back into Nicoletta's room.

A second later, I heard her squealing with joy.

I just stood there, staring out the window. My fingers found the inside of my left wrist without thinking, pressing against the ridged skin where the burn scars began.

Tomorrow was the day I'd leave. And this time, I wouldn't hesitate.