Chapter 48 Chapter 47

Chapter 48 Chapter 47
"Take your filthy hands off my wife!" ("Levati le mani sporche da mia moglie!") My voice came out harsh. I pointed the gun without hesitation. My finger pulled the trigger.

The gunshot echoed through the warehouse; the gunpowder burned my nose. The man collapsed to the ground, blood starting to spread across the concrete floor. Chloe gasped, her eyes wide; Salvatori clenched his teeth, already moving forward to make sure no one else dared to move.

I walked over to where Chloe was sitting and tucked the gun into my waistband, the metal tapping lightly against my hip. I crouched down slowly and began untying the knots. The ropes creaked, and the loose ends fell to the dusty floor.

"Are you hurt?" I asked quietly. "Hm? Did they do anything to you?"

She was breathing fast, her eyes blinking as if trying to gather strength. Her hand trembled as it ran over her arm.

"N-no, I’m fine," she replied, her voice faint.

"Good. Can you walk?"

"Yes..."

I extended my hand. Chloe gripped it, and I gently pulled her up; her body leaned against mine for a second before she regained her balance. We walked toward the exit of the warehouse; the cold night air hit her face and stirred clouds of dust beneath the headlights.

Outside, my men formed a line. I stopped walking and looked at her.

"Do you want to talk about something?" I asked.

She avoided my gaze, her fingers fidgeting with the edges of her clothes. "No, I don’t have anything to say."

"Don’t have anything?" I pressed.

"No."

"If there’s something to say, I believe now’s the perfect time," I said, my voice low—hard in the middle, but soft where it needed to be.

She bit her lip and finally said, "I already told you."

I took a step forward, bringing my face closer to hers.

"Chloe, are you pregnant?" I asked bluntly.

She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.

"No," she said, almost in a whisper.

"I saw the test..." I insisted, my hand clenching into a fist for a second. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"No," she repeated, her voice trembling. "No."

"Chloe." My voice came out sharper, the anger in me growing each time she denied it. "Stop acting like this and tell me already—why didn’t you tell me you’re pregnant?"

She took a deep breath, her shoulders sinking.

"Because I was afraid."

"Afraid?" I repeated. "Afraid of what?" I frowned, not understanding.

"Yes. Because... because it’s not in the contract, and you’d tell me to get an abortion... and I... I’m not going to do that. I’m leaving, but I’ll keep the baby."

"Aborto? Chi ha parlato di aborto, idiota?!" I spat the words, taking a quick step that made her back away. My hands were trembling. Not from fury over the pregnancy—but from terror at the thought of losing her. "You were going to run away! You were going to steal from me... steal my heir. Do you think I’m some kind of animal that gets rid of his own blood?!"

"But... the contract..." Her voice came out broken.

"I know damn well about the contract, but God, he’s mine. He’s my child. And you were going to run away like a thief!"

Her look was pure disdain, as if she didn’t believe a single word, seeing only the monster hiding behind an expensive suit.
"I’m not giving him to you. I’m not giving you my child."
"You don’t have to give me anything. You’re his mother, and I’m his father! And for trying to deprive me of that, for lying, for thinking about running away… you’re not going anywhere!"
"Dominic…" she starts to say.
"No, Chloe, accept it — my child is in there." I point to her belly. "You selfish woman..." I rub my face, confusion and anger mixing together.

For a second, I fall silent, rage and fear blending into a fine line. Then I take a deep breath and make a decision that has nothing to do with calm — my priorities change right there.

"Listen, I would never ask you to leave, especially not while you’re pregnant with my child." My words come out firm. "From today on, I’m setting a new code: I protect you and this child, no matter the cost. You are my priorities. Don’t think I’ll ever abandon you. Never again. You’re my wife."

She lifts her eyes slowly, as if searching for confirmation.
"Forget the contract," I say. "From today on, it doesn’t exist anymore, alright?"

She nods, her body finally relaxing a little. I take off my jacket and drape it around her shoulders.