Chapter 10: Rule One

Adriano stopped in the middle of the room when he saw me.

His face went through three things in a row: surprise, anger, and then the soft, pleading look he used when he wanted something.

"Mirella. Thank God. Where have you been? I've called you all morning."

"I know. I saw every one."

He crossed to me and took my hands.

"Come home. Whatever you think you saw, we can fix it."

"My father won't take my calls. Just come home and take that video down, and I'll make it right."

I looked at his hands holding mine.

"Adriano, there is no baby."

He didn't understand it at first.

"What?"

"The scan showed a heart defect. The doctor recommended ending it. I signed the form myself and had it done the day you told me to behave."

His grip loosened, and I pulled my hands free.

"I was alone, and the nurse asked if anyone was with me. I said no."

Fiorella made a small sound behind me.

Adriano's face had gone grey.

"You did that without telling me?"

"You were carrying her out of my house."

"That was my child."

"Yes," I said. "It was."

For a moment I thought he might sit down.

Then I watched the soft look go out of his face, and what replaced it was the look he used on staff.

"You will not embarrass this family any further. You are my wife, and you will come home with me now."

He took my arm above the elbow and pulled.

"Let go of her."

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