Chapter 4
859words
My medical results arrived.
The family doctor could barely contain his excitement.
"Madam! Congratulations! You're pregnant!"
"About four weeks along, by my estimate."
The phone slipped from my fingers.
Pregnant.
I was carrying Alessandro's child.
This should have been joyous news.
The Moretti heir.
What Isabella had demanded.
But I didn't want it.
I couldn't bring a child into this corrupt world.
Couldn't let my baby become another family pawn.
And I refused to be trapped here forever because of it.
"Madam? Are you there?"
"Yes."
"Should I inform the Godfather? This is momentous news for the family—"
"No."
"But madam—"
"That's an order."
I hung up.
Then dialed another number with shaking fingers.
"Ethan."
"Madam." His voice was steady as stone.
"We need to move now."
"Understood. Tonight?"
"Tonight."
"Extraction point?"
"East side abandoned dock. Three a.m."
"Copy that."
"Ethan."
"Yes, madam?"
"Thank you."
"This is my duty, madam. Your father's final order to me."
"A Petrova daughter never stands alone."
I ended the call.
I went to my closet.
Packed one small suitcase.
Essential clothes. Documents. Cash.
And my mother's necklace.
Nothing else mattered.
Seven p.m.
Alessandro returned.
"What would you like for dinner?" he asked casually.
"Anything."
"Irina," he approached me. "We need to talk."
"About yesterday—"
"There's nothing to discuss."
"There is," he insisted. "About Jessica—"
"Is she moving in?"
"Mother feels—"
"Answer me. Yes or no?"
His jaw tightened.
"Yes."
"When?"
"Next week."
I smiled coldly.
"Perfect timing."
"What?"
"I'm leaving anyway."
"What are you talking about?"
"Switzerland."
His face darkened.
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Exactly what I said. I've accepted a position in Zurich."
"I fly out tomorrow."
"Have you lost your mind?" He grabbed my shoulders roughly.
"You're the Godfather's wife! You can't just—"
"Not for much longer."
I pulled an envelope from my purse.
"What the hell is this?"
"Alliance termination agreement."
"I've already signed."
"Your turn."
He ripped open the envelope.
His face turned ashen as he read.
"You can't be serious."
"Dead serious."
"Do you have any idea what this means?"
"It means war between our families."
"It means bloodshed."
"It means—"
"It means I'm finally free."
I cut him off.
"That's all that matters."
"You can't fucking do this!"
His voice rose to a roar.
The Godfather emerged in full force.
"I am your husband!"
"You are MY WIFE!"
"You have no right to—"
"I have every right."
I pulled out my phone.
Opened the photos.
Showed him. One by one.
The blood drained from his face.
"How did you—"
"Your iPad. Password: Jessica's first day. Cute."
"Romantic touch."
He stood frozen.
"I also saw my mother's painting."
"The one you said was destroyed."
"Hanging above your whore's bed."
"Irina, please, I can explain—"
"Save it."
I headed for the door.
"You'll regret this!" he bellowed.
"Without the Moretti name, you're nothing!"
"The Petrovas are finished! Your father is rotting in the ground!"
"Without my protection, you won't last a week!"
I paused at the threshold.
"Maybe."
"But at least I'll die with dignity."
"Better than living in filth."
I opened the door.
He lunged toward me.
"Irina!"
Bang.
The door slammed between us.
Outside, Ethan waited by a black sedan.
"Madam."
"Let's go."
I slid into the car.
Never looking back.
***
East City Dock.
Three a.m.
Cold wind whipped off the water, carrying the scent of brine.
Ethan's men had the boat prepped.
"All set, madam."
"International waters in one hour."
"Private jet standing by."
"Direct to Zurich."
I nodded.
Suddenly, pain knifed through my abdomen.
"Madam?"
"It's nothing…"
The pain intensified, doubling me over.
I looked down.
Blood stained my dress.
No.
"Madam!" Ethan caught me as I stumbled.
"MEDIC! NOW!"
"She's hemorrhaging!"
My vision swam.
Through the encroaching darkness, I heard engines.
Multiple vehicles.
Approaching from all sides.
"Moretti's crew! It's a setup!"
"Defensive positions!"
Gunfire erupted.
Explosions.
Chaos.
Then nothing but darkness.
***
"I'm so sorry, madam."
The doctor's voice seemed to come from miles away.
"We couldn't save the baby."
"The blood loss, the stress of the firefight—"
I stared blankly at the ceiling.
Silent tears tracked down my temples.
My child.
Never even had a chance.
Gone.
"You need to rest, madam."
"Your body needs time to heal."
The doctor slipped out.
Ethan entered quietly.
"It was the Rivera crew that ambushed us."
"They've been eyeing that dock territory for months."
"Bad timing or a setup—hard to tell."
"We lost good men out there."
"But we got you out."
"This safe house is secure."
"Moretti's people won't find us here."
I said nothing.
Just watched the window lighten.
Dawn was breaking.
"Madam," Ethan's voice softened.
"About the baby… I'm sorry."
"I'm truly sorry."
"I need you to prepare a package."
"What kind of package?"
"For Alessandro."
"Include this."
I handed him the medical report.
"And a letter."
I wrote just one sentence.
The ink smeared with my tears:
"Our child died because of your lies. I never want to see your face again."
"When should I send it?"
"On his birthday."
"Understood."
Ethan left me alone.
I closed my eyes.
Goodbye, Alessandro.
Goodbye, my little one.
