A Promise Drowned in Silence

Bianca shot me a glance, then melted dramatically into Orlando's chest.

"If it's not his, then whose could it be?"

Caterina clasped her hand. "Bianca, giving Orlando an heir ends our family's worries. You two look perfect together."

She didn't even look my way.

Orlando just smiled. Said nothing.

I turned and headed for the stairs, gripping the railing. Knowing what was eating me from the inside, every step felt heavier.

Back in the bedroom, I started packing. Funny how years of marriage barely filled a suitcase.

Dad's old place up north—quiet, forgotten. Perfect for dying in peace.

The door creaked. Fast footsteps.

"Aria, you're leaving?"

Orlando grabbed me.

Wish he'd done that last night. One hug might've saved me from that damn cistern.

Too bad he reeked of Bianca's perfume. I almost gagged.

He squeezed tighter. "I went to see Bianca yesterday 'cause she cut her finger. Then she showed me the test results, so... I stayed."

Of course he did.

My tears soaked his tie. My voice cracked. "You've been with her a while, haven't you?"

He let out this dramatic sigh.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Aria. I didn't mean to hurt you. But Madre and the family kept pushing for an heir. When Bianca has the baby, it'll be raised by you. Please—believe me. You're my only wife."

I gave him a bitter smile. 'You didn't mean to hurt me'? Cute. Guess all these scars just showed up on their own.

"Aria, don't leave me. I really can't lose you."

I didn't bother replying. Just dropped the real question. "Orlando, remember why I can't have kids?"

He froze. Yeah. Didn't think so.

Everyone loved blaming me—said I wasn't worthy of the Don's wife title. But none of them remembered how I'd pulled every string my dad had. Or how I took two bullets meant for Orlando.

That's how he won his little throne.

And back then? He held my hand to his chest and swore I was it for him.

"Aria, don't leave me, please. You're the only one I love." He grabbed my hand—then paused when he felt my bare wrist.

No bracelet.

The opal one. Tenth anniversary. His pick.

"Why aren't you wearing it?"

I glanced at the jewelry box already zipped away, pulled it out, and clipped it on. "Heading to my dad's place for a bit. Didn't wanna scratch it packing."

He looked almost... relieved. "I'll take you. I'll assign extra guards. Just—don't stay too long, okay? I know I haven't been around much. But when you're back, it'll be our anniversary. Let's go somewhere."

I stared into those pretty eyes, shoving down the pain in my stomach. "Okay."