As I walked away, Elias's face darkened. For a brief moment, panic flashed through his eyes. He started to take a step toward me, but then Serena clutched her stomach and groaned.
"Elias, it hurts," she gasped, then forced out a teary plea. "But Bianca's more important. Go after her."
Elias hesitated only a second before shaking his head. "No. Don't worry about her. Right now, your condition is what matters most."
He glanced down the corridor of the private clinic where I'd disappeared, and I heard him mutter, "Bianca's just throwing a tantrum. She's eight months pregnant. She'll be terrified if I file severance papers. I'll talk to her later."
Then he scooped Serena up and carried her into the treatment room.
When I got back to the house, I stood outside for a long moment, staring at the brownstone that was supposed to be ours. Since Serena returned from overseas, Elias had barely come home. The enforcers posted at the gate changed shifts without acknowledging me. I could no longer feel the warmth this house once held.
I walked to the wall, took down our wedding photo, and tossed it straight into the trash.
I didn't want to leave a single trace of myself here. Not one reminder of what used to be.
I packed up all our couple items and stuffed them into a trash bag. I was heading down the stairs with it when the front door suddenly swung open. Elias walked in, carrying Serena in his arms. One of his soldiers held the door and then stepped back into the night without a word.
When he saw me standing silently by the door, a flicker of guilt flashed across his face.
"She's not feeling well after what you did," he said, like that explained everything.
"Not feeling well, huh?" I scoffed. "Then why isn't she at the clinic? Why the hell would you bring her here? Do you think our home is some kind of recovery house for your kept woman?"
"Watch your words, Bianca," he snapped. "I'm trying to fix things here. Whether you like it or not, Serena is staying in this house."
Serena chimed in, her hand moving to gently rub her belly. "It's true, Bianca. There's nothing going on between Elias and me. I'm only staying for the Paolo."
She said it just to provoke me. Her fingers drifted to the pearl at her ear and held there a fraction too long.
I could feel the anger rising in my chest, bubbling and hot. I looked at Elias and said, firm and loud, "This is our house, Elias. I don't want her living here."
Elias paused. His face twisted like he was conflicted. But then Serena grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly.
Elias's heart melted instantly. When he turned back to me, his voice was full of irritation. "That's enough! You're pregnant too. How can you have zero empathy?"
"You pushed Serena. I'm just trying to take care of her. If you don't want her here, then maybe you should leave."
His words hit like a slap.
I stared at him, the blood draining from my face. My whole body trembled. My thumb found the edge of the saint medal at my throat and pressed hard enough to leave a mark.
And then I said, as clearly as I could, "As you wish."
Tonight would be my last night in this house. After this, I'd be gone, and Elias Falcone would be a closed chapter in my life.
With my decision made, I grabbed the trash bag in my hand and marched out the door. The soldier by the gate watched me pass but didn't move. He had his orders, and they didn't include me. Not anymore.
Serena's voice followed behind me, laced with mock pity.
"Don't fight because of me, Elias. Look, she's so angry she even took down your wedding photo."
Elias's voice rumbled low with frustration. "She's just being dramatic. Once she realizes I'm not playing her game, she'll come crawling back."
A tear slid down my cheek. I walked into the cold night and threw the trash away along with the very last shred of love I had left for him.
