My heart constricts like it’s in a fucking vise. I realize that Luca might be right. I might love my wife.
31
ISABELLA
The cell they've locked me in in the basement is windowless, damp, and cold. A thin blanket provides my only warmth, and the small cot is the only place to sit or lie down. My stomach growls, a constant reminder of the meager scraps they've been feeding me.
How many days has it been? Two? Three? Time blurs when you're locked in darkness with only sporadic appearances from the maid who brings water and stale kitchen scraps. I feel tired and weak, and I’m sure it’s not the pregnancy alone making me feel that way.
The lock clicks, and I straighten, swallowing hard. The door swings open, and Enrico stands there, a smirk on his face.
"Well, look at you. The mighty Mrs. Dante, reduced to this."
"I need more food," I say, ignoring his taunts. "And water. For the baby's sake, Enrico."
He laughs. "The baby? You mean the bastard Dante you're carrying?"
White-hot rage surges through me, momentarily replacing my exhaustion. "My child is not a bastard. Alessandro and I are married."
"A marriage that lasted how long before he threw you out?" Enrico stands in front of me, his arms crossed. "Face it, Isabella. He wants nothing to do with you or your spawn."
"You don't understand what you're doing. If I lose this baby because of you?—"
"If you lose it, we'll find another way," he says with a dismissive wave. "Though I admit, a Dante heir would be convenient leverage."
"Leverage. This is your niece or nephew, Enrico. Your blood." Though I’m his blood and he clearly despises me.
"Half Dante blood." His face twists with disgust. "Tainted."
"What did you do? Why did Alessandro send me away?"
A slow smile spreads across his face. "Let's just say I helped myself to something of his. Something only you could've given me access to."
The warehouse key. I remember my father mentioning the whisky poisoning and Enrico admitting it was him and using it to get the key.
"You used me. You set me up."
"And Alessandro believed it. So much for true love." He leans closer. "You chose the wrong side, little sister."
"Please," I reach for him, desperation overriding my pride. "The baby needs nutrition. I'm getting weak?—”
"Maybe you should've thought about that before betraying your family." He pulls away, heading for the door. "Loyalty has consequences, Isabella. So does the lack of it."
“I didn’t betray you. I married him like you made me. You never asked me to help you… you just set me up.”
He sneers. “Would you have helped me?”
I look down because I wouldn’t have.
“Right. I’m not an idiot, Isabella. I saw you make goo-goo eyes at him. You don’t think I know you snuck off with him at the gala? You’re a fucking slut and that child is probably a bastard created before you married.”
“Please, Enrico?—”
“Like I said, you betrayed us. Now you pay.” The door slams shut and darkness engulfs me once again. I lie on the cot, curling into myself, certain I’m going to die here.
Time blurs. I mark time by the meager meals they bring. My body grows weaker, and I’m terrified I’m going to lose the baby. I can’t let that happen. I have to do something.
But what? I can’t go to Alessandro. He’ll just toss me in whatever prison he keeps in his basement.
