Gone in the Sea of Faces

A sudden panic rose in Cesare's heart. Instinctively, he tried to go after me, but Sonia grabbed him tightly.

"You made me a promise. This is to be a secret between us!" Sonia hissed warningly into his ear, her head raised arrogantly.

Cesare stopped in his tracks, his eyes flashing with impatience. "Don't push it, Sonia. She's my Donna!"

Sonia simply snorted, her gaze scornful. "Your family doesn't even recognize her. You'd better not forget about our deal, Don Fontana!"

Cesare lowered his eyes. While his stance made him seem agreeable, his voice was icy. "Don't make things humiliating or uncomfortable for Rosalia. That's where I draw the line."

However, Sonia wasn't the least bit afraid. She even clutched his arm and nuzzled her head against his shoulder in an intimate manner.

"The Moretti family will be meeting with the Fontana family tomorrow. It seems to me that you'll probably need my help then."

Cesare said nothing more. He only clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Once they were done with Sonia's prenatal checkup, they went to the mall to buy a ton of baby supplies before having a lavish dinner as well. The moon was high in the sky when they finally got back to Fontana Estate.

The house looked cold and empty. The household staff had already retired to their rooms for the night. In the past, I would always leave a light on for him and stay up in my room, patiently waiting for him to return.

But tonight, the entire house was dark, including my room.

The unease in Cesare's heart kept growing, but Sonia still refused to let him leave her side.

"My papa will show his support for you during the meeting tomorrow, but your uncle has far too many supporters as well. Even if we, the Moretti family, back you up, it's no guarantee that you'll maintain your position as the Don of the Fontana family."

Tilting her chin upward, she added with a haughty expression, "I already told you that as long as you marry me, the Moretti family will do everything in its power to support you. This is a win-win situation for both of us!"

However, Cesare flung her hand off, his expression frosty. "And I also told you that Rosalia is the only one I would ever marry. Pretending to be the father of your child is already as far as I can go.

"If you're going to insist on crossing the line, I don't mind using my position as Don of the Fontana family to declare war against the Moretti family!"

Sonia's eyes flashed with fury, but she soon lifted her head and chuckled. "Relax. This was just a joke. We already have an agreement, don't we?"

Scoffing, Cesare pushed Sonia's hand away and hurried up to the second floor.

The guest bedroom I'd chosen had been the furthest one from Cesare's master bedroom. It was right by the household staff's quarters.

Cesare knew that he'd hurt me deeply with his actions, but he had no choice. He bought a set of diamond jewelry at an auction, hoping he could use it to make it up to me. But after entering the room with the jewelry box in hand, he froze.

The room looked spotless and untouched. There was no trace of me having stayed there at all.

Frowning, Cesare woke up his butler, Giovanni Russo.

"Where did Rosalia move to? Bring me to her now!"

Suppressing a yawn, Giovanni glanced into the room while saying, "But this is Donna Fontana's room, Don Fontana. She didn't move anywhere else."

Cesare's expression darkened. "Have you grown too comfortable on the job? Is that why you've made such a careless mistake? Open your eyes and take a good look at the room again. Does it look like anyone is staying here?"

Shocked, Giovanni lowered his head and apologized to Cesera, "My apologies, Don Fontana. I've been negligent. I'll find Donna Fontana's room at once!"

Alas, there was no way Giovanni could find me. I was already on a flight bound for Ressonia. I'd left Navarino for good.