No one dared to speak, and the room fell into a deathly silence.
I did not repeat myself. I simply turned to leave.
Cesare grabbed me from behind, locking his arms tight around me. "Don't go, Giulia. It's my fault. I'll change. Give me one chance and I'll change everything."
His men crowded around, blocking the door.
"Madre, what are you doing? The Don has been with you since high school and through college. You have ten years of marriage between you. How could you throw that away?"
"He loves you like a madman, and this is how you treat him? You're carrying his child. You want the baby to grow up without a father?"
At those words, Mamma's eyes widened.
"What did he say?" She grabbed my arm, her nails digging deep into my skin. "Giulia, you're pregnant? And you still want a divorce? Are you insane? You think you can run off with the baby? Where do you think you'll go?"
I pried their fingers off me one by one.
"It's my child. I'll raise it myself. I'm getting this divorce."
Mamma's voice cracked. "Haven't you always wanted a child? You waited from 20 to 30. Now, you finally have one and you want to destroy your marriage?"
I did not answer her. I used to want a baby—desperately. Yet three years ago, my only pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Now, I was finally pregnant again, and he was pouring all his fatherly love into Bianca's baby.
All I wanted now was to cut ties with Cesare completely.
Just then, the door opened. My stepsister Bianca walked in, cradling her six-month-old baby. Her eyes swept past everyone and locked directly on Cesare.
"Don Ferrante, I hope I'm not late."
The moment he saw Bianca, Cesare released me and strode over to take the baby from her arms. He looked down at the child with such tenderness as if he were gazing at his own flesh and blood.
My stomach clenched violently. I covered my mouth immediately, not letting anyone see me tremble.
"Giulia, I heard the argument just now. I didn't know having the Don help me with the baby would make you this angry." She lowered her eyes, looking fragile and pitiful. "I'll find a new place right away. I'll move out tomorrow. Please don't punish the Don because of me."
Cesare frowned, his tone disapproving. "Why would you move out? I'm just helping you watch the baby. It's nothing."
Then, he turned to me.
"Giulia, our problems are between us. Don't drag innocent people into this. You said someone ran you off the road, but the surveillance footage showed the other vehicle just driving normally next to you.
"Tell me the truth. Did you stage that accident yourself? Were you deliberately trying to miscarry? Did you want to get rid of the baby so that you could run off with your lover?"
Everyone held their breath. Even the guards went still.
Papa turned red with rage. He grabbed a glass of wine from the table and threw it at me.
"This is about the family heir and you think you can make that decision alone? You've disgraced your name! If you mention divorce one more time, don't ever call me your father again!"
Cesare's eyes flashed red as he threatened me, "Giulia, I can forgive all of this. But if we divorce, the Ferrante family won't protect you anymore!"
I slowly pushed my soaked hair back from my face. The chilled wine dripped down my neck.
My voice came out steady and firm as I said, "Even if I'm no longer Dante Rossi's daughter and no longer the Ferrante Madre… I'm still divorcing you."
I turned and walked away without looking back.
