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 you doing?” my assistant, Sarah, asked, her eyes wide.
“Pack up all of my personal belongings,” I said, my voice like ice. “Don’t touch a single thing that belongs to the Falcieri family.”
Sarah looked at me with worry. “But your pieces, all your hard work…”
“It won’t be wasted,” I said, gently touching an unfinished ruby ring. “They will see the light of day in a better place.”
Soon. This would all be over soon.
Late that night, Caius knocked on the door of my temporary room.
His eyes were filled with guilt. “Alessia, I know this is unfair to you.”
“I want a divorce, Caius.” My voice was quiet, but steady as stone.
“A divorce? Over a room?” He sounded incredulous. “Alessia, stop acting like a spoiled child. You are the Donna of this family. Start seeing the bigger picture.”
“Once Livia has the baby, everything will go back to the way it was. I promise.”
Back to the way it was?
How laughable. The past where he personally destroyed my dreams?
After Livia moved into my studio, she became even more brazen. She acted as the lady of the house, demanding Caius’s constant attention and never allowing him to see me alone.
The only time I saw him was at the breakfast table, surrounded by family.
And every time, Livia would cradle her belly, drawing all attention to her and her “future heir.”
Three days later, it was my birthday.
To my surprise, Caius remembered.
He found me in the library, his expression apologetic.
“Alessia, it’s your birthday. I want to spend the day with you.”
“I booked us a private island. It has the best skydiving facility in the state. You always wanted to try it.”
Just as I was about to answer, Livia appeared, flanked by two bodyguards.
“Caius,” she murmured, her smile a secret. “I think our son wants to say hello.”
