After Serena moved in, Elias practically glued himself to her side.
And me? I stopped expecting anything from him the moment I saw the truth.
One night, as I walked downstairs to get some water, I heard her voice through the slightly open door of the guest room. Two of his soldiers stood at the far end of the hall, eyes forward, pretending they couldn't hear a thing.
"Elias," she cooed, "I heard that saint medal from your family works really well. The Paolo's been keeping me up at night... could I borrow it for a while?"
The medal wasn't just a piece of jewelry. It was a Falcone bloodline relic, passed down through generations. A symbol that whoever wore it was the rightful wife of the Boss. Elias had given it to me on our wedding day, clasped it around my neck himself in front of the entire Family. He said it would be mine forever, because there would never be another Mrs. Falcone.
His voice pulled me out of the memory.
Through the gap in the door, I saw him press a gentle kiss to her cheek and smile. "Of course. I'll ask her for it. You can wear it as long as you want, at least until the Paolo's born."
A sharp pain stabbed through my chest.
I couldn't even remember his exact promise anymore, but it didn't matter. Because clearly, neither could he.
I took a step back, but the floor creaked under my foot. Elias opened the door and found me standing there. He looked startled. Guilty, even. He stepped outside, pulled the door shut behind him and led me to a corner of the hallway, away from the soldiers' line of sight.
"Bianca... you heard that, didn't you?" he asked hesitantly.
I didn't say anything.
He hesitated again before speaking. "Serena's been having trouble sleeping. Do you think you could let her borrow the medal for a bit?"
I nodded slowly, but at that moment, a sharp pain twisted through my side. I winced and swallowed it down.
"I'll give it to her, but on one condition."
Elias's face lit up like I'd just handed him the moon. He stepped toward me, ready to wrap me in a hug, but I took a step back before he could touch me.
Serena's scent was all over him. It made me want to gag.
"I'm glad you're finally coming around," he said with a relieved smile. "Once Serena has the Paolo, I'll give it back. Don't worry. Your place in this Family isn't going anywhere."
So he did remember what the medal stood for.
"I don't care if she never gives it back," I said quietly. "I just need you to sign this."
I turned and walked upstairs.
A minute later, I came back down with the severance papers in hand, already flipped to the page where his signature was needed. The hallway was dim, the compound quiet except for the low murmur of a television somewhere deeper in the house.
"There's no need to be upset," he said softly, like he was trying to soothe me. "Serena's not going to keep it forever. Like I said, I'll return it once she has the Paolo."
He signed the papers without even glancing at them.
As soon as I held the signed severance papers in my hands, the storm inside me quieted. I never expected it would be this easy. The Don of the Falcone Family had just signed away his marriage without reading a single line.
Elias gave me a small smile. "I know I haven't been there for you these past few months. Go ahead and buy whatever you want. I'll take care of the bill."
So that's why he was so quick to sign. He thought this was just me angling for a shopping spree.
My thumb found the edge of the saint medal at my throat one last time. Then I unclasped it and handed it to him, expressionless.
For a moment, he hesitated. But eventually, he took it and held it tight.
"Don't worry. Once the Paolo's born, it'll be yours again," he repeated, like he needed to convince himself.
But I didn't care anymore.
"She can wear it for as long as she wants," I said flatly.
Overcome with emotion, Elias pulled me into a hug. I pushed him off immediately, but he didn't seem to mind. He turned and walked straight back into Serena's room.
A second later, I heard her squealing with joy.
I just stood there, staring out the window. Beyond the compound walls, the city lights bled into a haze above the rooftops. Somewhere past the gate, a car engine idled, one of the night-shift soldiers waiting out his watch.
Tomorrow was the day I'd leave. And this time, I wouldn't hesitate.
