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.
