REINA
Paolo still wasn’t picking up. It had been a little over four hours since I saw the result and had been trying to reach him, and he still wouldn’t pick my call.
I had called seventeen tis since morning. Seventeen tis the line rang out into nothing, his voicemail swallowing my desperate words like they ant nothing. I sat on the edge of the bed, phone pressed against my chest, staring at the wall with hollow eyes. The positive test was still on the bathroom sink. I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away. So sick, masochistic part of needed it there as proof that this was real. That I hadn’t simply lost my mind.
Calestino’s voice echoed in my head.
Don’t do anything stupid or reckless, Reina. I’m coming to you as soon as I’m done with what I’m doing here. Just get out of the house. Don’t let Donico near you right now.
Get out of the house. Simple enough instruction. I could do that much.
My hands were steadier than I expected when I dialed my Aunt’s number. She answered on the second ring, the way she always did — like she’d been waiting, like she always had ti for even when the rest of the world didn’t.
"Auntie..." I choked out, sniffing.
"Reina, sweetheart." Her voice was warm and unhurried. "What’s the matter? You sound strange."
"I’m okay," I lied automatically. Then I stopped. "Actually, I’m not okay, Auntie. I need so company. Could you... could you co stay with for a few days? Just a few days. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important."
A brief pause. "Of course. Of course I’ll co. Let pack a bag. Should I bring food? You know I don’t trust you to have a proper kitchen."
Despite everything, a small, watery laugh escaped . "Please bring food."
"Give two hours, baby. I’m on my way."
My ears twitched imdiately I rembered Calestino had ordered to leave the house, so I quickly said. "No. Please don’t co, I’ll pack a bag and co to you, ma."
My aunt was silent for a second before she quickly said, " That’s fine. I’ll go cook you sothing. Make sure you drive safely."
I exhaled for what felt like the first ti all morning. Ten minutes. I just needed to hold myself together for ten minutes to shower and change into sothing more warr and then I would go be with my auntie and I wouldn’t have to be so terrifyingly alone inside these four walls.
"This is all your fault, Paolo." I mumbled, needing soone to bla for my actions as I quickly dashed into the bathroom.
I showered quickly, scrubbing my skin until it was pink, as if I could wash away the scent of Donico’s cologne that still sohow clung to . I dressed in simple clothes — loose trousers, a soft blouse that didn’t cling — and grabbed my bag. My plan was straightforward. Go downstairs. Wait sowhere public. Maybe a café nearby. Sowhere Donico would never think to look for because I was just a woman sitting alone drinking tea, not his anything.
I almost made it. Then once I’m sure he wasn’t aware of the baby in my womb, I would go to my aunt.
The doors opened and I stepped out, adjusting the strap of my bag, already ntally mapping the route to the café I would be going.
He was leaning against the wall beside the entrance like he owned the building.
Like he owned everything. Technically, he did.
Donico Gravano in a perfectly tailored dark suit, one hand casually tucked into his trouser pocket, the other holding a large, elegantly wrapped box. A slow, devastating smile spread across his face the mont his eyes found mine. Not surprised. Not at all surprised. Like he’d known exactly when I would walk out.
My steps faltered.
"There she is," he said softly, his voice carrying that low, velvet weight that always made my traitorous body react before my brain could intervene. "I was beginning to think you’d make wait all day."
"What are you doing here?" My voice ca out steadier than I felt.
He pushed off the wall and closed the distance between us unhurriedly, extending the box with a grace that belonged on a stage. "A gift. There’s a party tonight. A private gathering — nothing like the charity gala I told you earlier, I promise. Low-key. Elegant. You’ll enjoy it. It’s a sex party and I know you love sex. It will be fun."
I stared at the box. Then at him. "I’m not going anywhere with you, Donico."
"Open it first."
"I don’t want to open it." I stepped sideways, keeping distance between us. "I’m going to see my aunt. She’s expecting ."
Sothing flickered in his eyes. Gone before I could na it.
"Reina—"
"I said no." I gripped my bag tighter and moved toward the door. "I’m not your date. I’m not your companion. Last night was—" My voice cracked slightly. I forced it back under control. "Last night should not have happened. None of it should have happened. Please leave alone."
I pushed through the glass door and out into the afternoon air. The cool air made feel like a free person, and for one blessed second I thought I’d done it. I’d walked away.
Then I heard him behind , unhurried footsteps, completely unbothered.
"You look tense," Donico observed conversationally, falling into step beside like we were old friends taking a stroll. "How did you see your appetite today? Still ravenous? Or has the nausea returned?"
I stopped walking.
The deliberate precision of those words landed like stones dropped into still water. I turned to face him slowly. His expression was perfectly neutral. Pleasantly curious. Eyes completely unreadable.
"Don’t," I said quietly.
He tilted his head. "Don’t what?"
My phone buzzed in my hand. Aunt Marilyn na lit up the screen — probably calling to confirm my arrival ti or ask what I needed her to cook exactly. I almost answered. Almost.
Donico glanced at the screen. Sothing in his expression shifted — barely perceptible, but I’d spent enough ti studying his face to catch it.
"Your aunt," he said simply.
"Yes. My aunt. Who I’m going to stay with. So you can go back to—"
"Marilyn Monroe." He said her na with a quiet familiarity that stopped my heart cold. "She worked for my late wife for nearly four years. Wonderful woman. Stubborn. Fiercely loyal." He paused, letting each word settle with surgical precision. "She never quite forgave after Elena died. She thought I killed Ruby. I bet she was so shocked the day she realised you would be getting married to my son."
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