Livia slowly took Caius’s hand and pressed it gently against her swollen abdomen. “Feel that.” “Our little one just gave me a kick. I wonder if he’s unhappy about something.” Caius’s eyes widened, his whole body tensing with excitement. “He’s moving! My son, he’s responding to me!” “Our future Don has … Read more
Caius’s attention shifted instantly. He sat back down beside her, gently stroking her belly. “Of course. I’ll have the freshest ones flown in from Milan.” I turned and walked away, every step like walking on knives. Back in my studio, I began to pack. Every design tool, every sketch. “Ma’am, what are … Read more
The next morning, before the sun had fully bathed the estate in light, I heard a sharp knock on my door. “The Madre requests your presence in the living room. Immediately,” a guard said, his tone leaving no room for refusal. I had just stepped out of the shower, my hair still dripping. … Read more
I had never sent her anything. “And the maid…” Livia choked on a sob, pausing for effect. “She said this child… was a curse.” The room fell into a dead silence. After a few seconds, I heard Caius’s low, resolute voice. “Livia, you and this child are the future of the … Read more
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 … Read more
My silence seemed to provoke the Madre. She closed in, her voice a low hiss. “Alessia, you’ve been married into this family for five years, and your womb has been empty. Now that we finally have someone to continue our bloodline, don’t tell me you can’t even part with a damn animal?” “She is … Read more
At the grand Falcieri Derby, my husband Caius held his brother’s widow, Livia, nestled against him. Her swollen belly carried the heir he was commanded to give her—the product of nights spent in her bed, not mine. The air was thick with the scent of leather and whiskey. A few of Caius’s men … Read more