When the Principessa Comes Home

The pain drained all my strength. All I could do was lie there, a crumpled heap on the floor. By the time my family found me and rushed me to the hospital, the window for the best surgical outcome had closed.

My right hand was everything to me as an artist. Now, all I could do was watch as the surgeons drilled steel pins into it, one by one.

Despair consumed me.

Three days later, Donovan posted on social media. In the photo, he and Roxie were in a tight embrace—he, wearing the bespoke suit I had personally chosen for him, and she, in a dress tailored to my exact measurements, making her look like a clown in her mother's clothes.

Less than two minutes after the photo went up, Donovan called.

"Have you calmed down? It's Roxie's celebration party today. She wants to clear the air with you. Don't forget to bring her a big gift."

His tone was so cheerful, as if nothing had ever happened, but the excruciating pain in my hand was a constant, throbbing reminder of his cruelty.

"Alright."

A big gift, he said...

For the past three years, I hadn't touched a cent of my family's money. I'd managed to save some money from selling my paintings, but I had blown most of it on that antique gun, all to please Donovan.

After my surgery, my bank account was nearly empty.

Roxie wanted a big gift? Fine. I wonder if making her lose everything she has counts.

By the time I had everything arranged, it was time for the party.

Donovan stood at the entrance with his arm around Roxie, the two of them looking like a picture-perfect couple.

When they saw me, they immediately clasped their hands together, fingers intertwined.

"Scarlett, you dare show up empty-handed?" Donovan questioned, his face dark. "I didn't think you could be so shameless. Look at the rags you're wearing! And you're covered in bandages, it's disgusting! You're just here to embarrass me, aren't you?"

Roxie could no longer hide the glee in her eyes. She bit back a laugh and shook her head. "Let it go, Donnie. As long as she came, that's enough. Besides, as long as I have you, I don't need any gifts."

"However... I do have a surprise for you..."

At the mention of this, Roxie’s hand drifted to her abdomen. The gesture alone made my breath catch. I tightened my grip on my phone.

Despite being with me for years, Donovan had never been truly intimate with me. Even when I tried my best to seduce him, he would stubbornly opt for a cold shower instead.

Later, I learned why. He said his first time was important, and he couldn't give it to a woman of unknown origins like me.

Meanwhile, the Kincaid family members present began to cheer. Only then did I realize that Donovan's parents, Finnian Kincaid and Moira Connolly, along with his younger brother, Shane, were also there.

"Donnie, even though it's my party, it means nothing without you," Roxie said. "I know you're not interested in marriage, but I worry you'll be lonely when you get older, so... I secretly decided to have your baby."

She slowly lifted her eyes, her gaze full of what she probably thought was sincere devotion.

"The baby has been with me for over two months now. I think it's a girl. She'll be beautiful. She'll look just like you."

I froze, my mind a complete blank. My mother had passed away long ago, and her death anniversary was always a difficult time for me. Two months ago, Donovan had stayed by my side through it all.

But as it turned out, he was with me during the day and in Roxie's bed at night.

I had thought it was a sign of his genuine care. In reality, he was just assuaging his own guilt after cheating.

Finnian and Moira were the first to applaud and offer their congratulations.

Some guests couldn't help but whisper among themselves. Donovan had a reputation for being cold and ruthless. He forbade his soldati from getting involved with outsiders, and the last associate who tried to hide something from him had been dealt with personally.

But now, he just patted Roxie's back comfortingly and said, "In that case, I'll remove Scarlett from my world. After all, she was the one who seduced me first and shamelessly clung to me. A woman like her is a disgrace."

Immediately, all eyes turned to me, filled with a mix of curiosity and amusement. They all knew I had just been brazenly humiliated.

"Are you finished?"

To everyone's surprise, after Donovan's grand declaration, I just smiled faintly.

"I suppose it's time for my congratulatory gift."

I clapped my hands, and a large group of armed police swarmed in, flooding the already cramped space.

The chief in charge, Gideon Blackwood, greeted me politely. "Principessa Valeriano."