Chapter 3Reborn to Walk Away

In the next two days, I poured my energy into putting together a blessing for Anna.

I personally oversaw all the details from the theme of the ceremony to the selection of centerpiece flowers.

The manor hall was decorated in black and gold. Flowers were flown in fresh from the Netherlands, and the wine and cuisine were prepared to the highest standards.

The entire venue exuded opulence to the point of perfection.

On the day of the blessing, the Colombo estate was brightly lit.

Guests arrived in succession, all influential members of the five greatest families.

I was hardly off my feet, keeping everything running. The guests showered me with compliments, praising my devotion to throwing a great party for Lorenzo’s widow.

With poise and grace, I invited Anna and Alessandro to cut the cake together.

Hand in hand, the pair sliced the cake with happy smiles.

The priest blessed the child in Anna’s womb while the room fell into solemn silence.

Standing in a corner, I held a glass of champagne and watched the whole thing.

At the end of the blessing, the priest cleared his throat and said out loud, “As tradition prescribes, may the godfather of the child now step forward to take his vow.”

Alessandro straightened his tie and took strides toward Anna.

Anna sat in her assigned seat, her hand caressing her bump as a gentle smile hung over her face.

Taking one knee, Alessandro placed his hand over Anna’s belly.

He pressed his palm against her skin with the utmost care, terrified of startling the life growing inside.

“I, Alessandro Colombo, do solemnly accept the role of the child’s godfather.”

His voice was deep and solemn, and his words carried weight.

“I hereby swear to protect this child for life and raise him as my own.”

He took a pause and looked up to meet Anna’s eyes, a softness slipping into his tone.

“I will also keep the child’s mother safe, shielding her from harm.”

Anna’s eyes welled up with emotion, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

She reached out and shuffled Alessandro’s hair, her fingers shaking.

“Alessandro…”

Her voice cracked with sobs, yet there was a hint of satisfaction in finally getting what she wanted.

The ceremony then moved on to the gift presentation, where Alessandro announced in front of everyone that the docks in the eastern district now belonged to Anna and the baby.

The docks were one of the core assets of the Colombo empire that brought millions in annual revenue.

The guests had a newfound respect for Anna, knowing that she was definitely more than his late brother’s widow to Alessandro.

Saying nothing, I simply smiled faintly.

Anna grabbed a drink from the server’s tray and approached me with a smile.

“Amora, let me offer a toast to you for everything you’ve done for me.”

As she spoke earnestly, I took the drink and finished the liquid all at once.

Picking up on a creaking noise from the ceiling, I looked up and saw the chandelier swaying.

“Get back!” I warned the others.

Before I had time to move to a safe distance, Alessandro shoved me from the back, and I stumbled forward.

Snapping his arms around Anna, he drove to the other side.

The chandelier crashed to the floor with a loud thud.

My arms were slashed by shards of glass and metal. I fell straight into the broken glass when I was knocked over, and blood poured out.

My eyes brushed past the chandelier and locked onto Alessandro, who shielded Anna in his embrace.

He took all the shattered glass for Anna.

Feeling the sharp pain across my arms, I bit my lip.

Meanwhile, Anna was in a full-blown panic, her shrill voice cutting through the quiet room.

“Argh! It hurts… My stomach hurts…”

The hall broke into a commotion.

Flustered, Alessandro helped Anna up and examined her carefully for injuries.

He scooped Anna into his arms and stormed out, not even looking at me once.

I stared at his back, meaning to say something, but the words caught in my throat, suffocating me.

As blackness took away my vision, my legs gave out.

“Amora!” Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

I felt chills all over as my line of gaze began to blur.

My head hit the floor, and darkness consumed me.