Chapter 7: A forbode
VICTORIA’S POV
While sipping my blue pea tea, I stared at the night sky. Though I wasn’t much of a tea lover, it had a
unique vor, something learned from someone special in the past.
My hand fell to my stomach, stroking and caressing. How I wished things were different. I wanted to be
with Alessandro, especially through the pregnancy. But I couldn’t.
I had given him three years. Most people even grew to care for animals they didn’t like if they lived with
them that long. But I had been his wife, and he had never grown to care for me. I didn’t know how he
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would react after hearing about the baby. But I didn’t care anymore, not for him or his arrogant family.
This child was mine, and I was its mother, end of discussion.
“Penny, for your thoughts?” Antonio’s deep voice caught my attention. I peered at him in the porch
entrance, leaning against the door with his brow raised. My, he looked handsome. And he was
incredibly understanding. The woman whonded him would be awfully lucky.
I smiled, shaking my head. “Nothing. Just this and that.”
He sighed, not hiding his concern, then joined me inside, sitting on the sofa. “I only have one sister, and
I always want your happiness, even over mine. I know leaving Alessandro isn’t easy, but I hope you
stand your ground.”
“Don’t worry, Ant. I’ve had enough of him,” I replied truthfully. “So? How is everything?” I asked, feeling
we needed to catch up. It had been a while since I hadst spoken to my brother on a regr basis.
Antonio smiled, taking a cup of tea from the tray next to me. “Fine. E. Shine is holding a jewelry lunch
function tomorrow.” He paused and then said, “Alessandro has been invited.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It doesn’t matter to me anymore,” I said with a dismissive wave. “So?
Found a date for the day?”
“Not yet,” he said, scratching his neck, looking ufortable. “Why don’t youe back to the
I blinked and eyed him, my gaze questioning his obvious dodge. But I supposed he had his reasons,
and I didn’t want to press him. So I just went along with the change in topic. “I haven’t done jewelry
design for years,” I said, feeling hesitant about the prospect.
“Don’t be silly. You’ve always been a talented designer. Besides, thepany isn’t mine alone. It’s
yours too. Make a name for yourself, Victoria. Make your mark.”
I nodded. “Maybe you’re right. But... let’s not announce my identity to the public. Not yet. I want to live a
simple life for a little while.”
Antonio chuckled and said, “People die for fame, and you run away from it.”
I shrugged.
“Guess your married name has at least one benefit—no one will find out.” He winked, and Iughed.
****
ALESSANDRO’S POV
On the evening of E. Shine’s jewelryunch, I donned a ck tie with silver lining, matching my suit. I
couldn’t help but think of Victoria as I added the ck stone cufflinks while wishing I didn’t have to
attend. But being a public figure often required attending parties and events, whether or not I liked it.
At least I admired the owner, Antonio Edwards, though we weren’t friends. But he was about my age
and a sessful heir of thepany, and I respected that.
Once I finished getting ready, I strode down to the hall with one minor concern. I had no female
But what could I do? It wasn’t like I could ask Victoria or produce a date out of thin air.
Then, as I entered the foyer, still fiddling with my cufflinks, the sound of ady’s high heels clicking on
the floor caught my attention. I looked up and saw Cami walking through the door in a silver dress
with a split in the side from her thigh down. Why did it appear that she was aware of the function? And
that she intended to join me? I frowned.
With a sultry smile, she said, “I heard you need a femalepanion this evening. Is there anyone
better than me?” She posed with a hand on her waist.
My eyes dragged over her body, and I had to admit she was attractive, even sexy. Still, she was no
match for Victoria.
Ugh. How was it that Victoria was still lingering in my head?
I needed to focus on the present, so I forced my attention back to Cami. But she irked me. Victoria’s
decision to leave me had prompted Cami to increase her attempts to impose herself on me, and I
didn’t like it. So I said, “Don’t you remember what I said to youst time?”
Shamelessly, she stepped forward, closing the distance between us as she spoke. “But Alessandro,
even if you don’t love me anymore, you can’t forget who rescued you from the forest years ago.” Her
fingers gripped my cor, pulling me toward her. “Don’t you dare forget who saved your life, Devonte.”
How had I never realized she put a wedge between Victoria and me. When I thought about the past, it
was always her keeping me away from Victoria, using that one deed, holding it over me. My jaw
tightened at those thoughts, and I said, “Stay away,” removing her hands from my cor and pushing
her away. I wanted to say more, but Calvin entered the hall.
“The car is ready, sir,” he said.
Without hesitating, I strode out of the hall, leaving the mansion.
Cami’s heels clicked loudly behind me. “Walk slower. Wait for me,” she called.
Ignoring her, I made my way to the car and slid inside.
Calvin peered at me while holding the door. Then he lowered his voice and said, “Miss Cami saved
your life, and you’ve been treating her poorly recently.”
Treating her poorly? My eyes widened for a moment, then I red at him. It was Cami who was the
source of my confusion. “Shut up,” I snapped. “Why are you talking so much today?”
Cami reached the car. I couldn’t very well tell her to get lost, so I said nothing when Calvin held the
door for her to get inside.
Just this once, I promised myself. There would be no Cami after that evening.