Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN WHO TOOK HER SEAT
Emma had spent seven months carrying Dante's child and nearly four years learning the difference between his public cruelty and his private tenderness. Once, he had warmed her hands between his own after she returned from a winter charity event. Once, he had stayed awake all night because she was afraid of losing their first pregnancy. That baby had never survived the twelfth week, and neither of them had spoken about the little knitted blanket they kept in a drawer.
This pregnancy had changed everything. Dante had installed a private medical suite inside the estate, hired two specialists, and forbidden her from climbing the main staircase without someone nearby. He called it protection. Emma had once called it love.
Now Bianca sat in Emma's chair, wearing a bracelet Dante had denied her, while his mother, Isabella, watched with an expression that gave nothing away.
"Perhaps Emma should sit somewhere else," Bianca suggested, smoothing her emerald dress. "All this standing can't be good for the baby."
Emma looked at her.
"You mean the baby you keep reminding my husband you want him to forget about?"
The room went still.
Dante lowered his wineglass.
"Emma."
"What? You brought her into our home. You seated her beside you. You expect me to pretend this is normal?"
Bianca's smile faltered, then returned sharper than before.
"I never asked you to pretend anything. Dante and I have been honest with each other."
"Then you should have been honest enough to stay away from a married man."
Bianca pushed her chair back. "You think a wedding ring makes you irreplaceable?"
"No," Emma replied. "I think my husband's child deserves better than watching his father humiliate his mother."
Dante stood.
"Enough."
Emma turned toward him, hoping—despite everything—that he would finally defend their marriage.
Instead, he looked at Bianca.
"Sit down."
The command was quiet, but Bianca obeyed. Emma understood then that this dinner had never been about family. It was a performance, and she had been invited to play the obedient wife while her replacement watched.
She reached for the serving platter.
Bianca moved first.
Her elbow struck Emma's arm, sending a crystal glass crashing against the floor. Red wine splashed across the white tablecloth.
"Careful," Bianca said. "You wouldn't want to fall."
Emma stared at the shattered glass, then at the woman responsible.
"Don't touch me again."
Bianca stepped closer and shoved her shoulder.
Emma slapped her.
The sound startled even Emma. Bianca stumbled against the table, clutching her cheek.
Dante crossed the space between them in two strides.
His hand struck Emma before she could turn away.
The dining room erupted in gasps.
Emma felt the baby move beneath her palm. She held her stomach and looked at the man she had loved.
May you like
"You just made the biggest mistake of your life," she whispered.
Then she walked away.
