Chapter 3
Elena's POV
Nine months later
Over these nine months, I'd gradually immersed myself in Vincenzo's love.
Every morning, he'd kiss my forehead saying, "Good morning, my queen." During the day we'd walk in the garden while he told me stories of Tuscany. At night he'd read poetry to me, his voice deep and magnetic.
His possessiveness remained intense, but I'd grown accustomed to this feeling of complete control. More terrifying—I'd begun to enjoy it.
But...
Those memory fragments were becoming increasingly clear. The blurry face in my dreams began gradually overlapping with Vincenzo's, especially those eyes—the same profound black gaze, tender yet tinged with sadness.
Whenever this face appeared in dreams, my heart would ache unbearably.
Maybe Vincenzo was right—we really were deeply in love. Those painful memories might just be trauma left by amnesia.
I never mentioned these fragmented memories to Vincenzo. Some instinct told me these memories represented something crucially important—I had to protect them carefully.
Until today...
I was arranging my hair in the mirror when sudden dizziness hit. Nausea churned in my stomach, sending me rushing to the bathroom where I dry-heaved for several minutes.
No way...
Twenty minutes later, I trembled as I held the pregnancy test, staring at two clear red lines.
Pregnant.
"Elena? Where are you?" Vincenzo's voice came from outside.
I took a deep breath and slowly emerged from the bathroom. The moment Vincenzo saw the pregnancy test in my hand, he froze completely.
"This is...?"
"We're... having a baby."
Time seemed suspended.
"My GOD! Elena!" Vincenzo rushed over in wild joy, sweeping me up and spinning me around several times. "We're having a baby! We're really having a baby!"
Watching this usually cold man laugh like a child, I couldn't help laughing too.
"Vincenzo! Put me down!" I playfully smacked his shoulder. "All this spinning is making me dizzy!"
He immediately stopped, carefully setting me down, then slowly knelt before me, trembling hands pressing against my still-flat belly.
"My child... our child..." He reverently kissed my stomach, his worshipful expression making my heart clench. Nine months of care and protection all rushed to the surface.
Maybe... maybe I really had fallen in love with this dangerous man.
Two weeks later, wedding day
I sat in the dressing room wearing a million-dollar white wedding gown. The makeup artist was placing a diamond-encrusted crown on my head.
"You look beautiful today, Elena. Mr. Vincenzo will be absolutely stunned."
I smiled at my reflection, genuinely filled with happiness.
Suddenly, the door was violently pushed open.
Isabella Torrino walked in wearing all black, her face twisted with malicious satisfaction.
"Oh, is our bride ready?" she said mockingly.
The makeup artist tactfully left the room.
"Isabella, this is my wedding day. Please don't cause trouble." I said coldly.
"Trouble?" She approached me, eyes full of malice. "I just wanted to congratulate you. Congratulations on being completely deceived by a man."
"What are you talking about?"
"You think Vincenzo really loves you?" Isabella sneered. "He's just playing with you! Just like he played with me!"
"You're lying." I stood up, anxiety building in my chest.
"Lying? Do you know why he chose you? Because you lost your memory! You became a blank slate he could paint however he wanted!"
"ENOUGH!"
"He doesn't love you at ALL!" Isabella continued her assault. "He just enjoys the feeling of controlling you! Once you give birth, he'll throw you away, just like he threw me away!"
"SHUT UP!" I lunged at Isabella, rage consuming my reason.
We began fighting, and in the struggle, Isabella deliberately pushed me toward the vanity. The back of my head struck the sharp corner hard, pain exploding instantly.
In that moment, the floodgates of memory burst open completely.
Matteo... my Matteo...
All memories rushed back like a tide. The Chicago auction, the revenge plan, the poison ring, and most importantly—my lover Matteo, for whom I sought vengeance!
I remembered that gentle man, how he'd said "I love you," our revenge plans. Most crucially, I remembered Matteo's death...
That rainy night when Vincenzo killed him with his own hands.
And I—I had fallen in love with his murderer over these nine months!
"No... no..." I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming uncontrollably.
The door burst open and Vincenzo rushed in.
"What happened?" He immediately knelt and embraced me. "Elena, what's wrong? DAMN! You're hurt. We need to get to the hospital..."
"Don't touch me..." I pushed away his hands, my heart filled with infinite regret.
I'd fallen in love with my enemy. I'd betrayed Matteo. I was carrying the enemy's child.
God, what had I DONE?
Garden wedding ceremony
I had to continue this wedding. Not for love, but for revenge.
The garden was decorated like a fairy tale, with guests in expensive attire sitting on white chairs, blessing smiles on their faces.
I slowly walked toward the archway at the garden's center, where my enemy stood—Vincenzo Romano.
He wore a custom black tailcoat, his eyes full of deep affection. But now I knew this affection was all fake.
"You're so beautiful, Elena." He approached me, extending his hand.
I placed my hand in his palm. The knife was hidden beneath my wedding dress, ready to be drawn at any moment.
The priest began reciting vows: "Vincenzo Romano, do you take Elena as your wife, to love and protect her through poverty and wealth, sickness and health, until death do you part?"
"I do." Vincenzo's voice was firm. "I will protect her with my life."
How ironic. He'd killed my lover, yet now promised to protect me.
The priest turned to me: "Elena Rossi, do you take Vincenzo as your husband..."
I didn't wait for him to finish. I drew the knife from beneath my wedding dress.
I said coldly, "I do... want to KILL you."
