When I went for my prenatal checkup, I filled in my mafia husband Enrico Salvatore's information in the spouse column. However, the doctor told me, "The system shows no record of you ever being married. You're unmarried."

I froze, unable to believe it. "How is that possible? We got married five years ago. Please check again."

The doctor pulled up the system records again, and only one line appeared on the screen: [Marriage Registration: None.]

At first, I thought the hospital had made a mistake. Then, I overheard Enrico talking to one of his men. "Isabella's the only one in my heart. I'll give her everything else she wants. But Luisa gave me a daughter. For the sake of the family's bloodline, I have to register our marriage and give her that status. Isabella can never find out about the registration."

At that moment, I finally understood.

The small wedding five years ago was nothing but a cover. We never registered. There was no legal marriage. Even the child I was carrying had no legal standing. It was all an elaborate lie he had crafted.

Since none of this ever truly belonged to me, I would just leave.

I stumbled out of the hospital in a daze.

The doctor had been smiling just moments ago, congratulating me on how healthy the baby was. Then, she casually asked, "When are you planning to register your marriage with the father?"

I froze. I told her we had been married for five years. The doctor frowned and checked the system again. Finally, she turned the screen toward me.

[Marriage Registration: None.]

Five years ago, Enrico Salvatore slipped a ring onto my finger himself and told me all the paperwork had been taken care of. He said his position in the mafia made it inconvenient to go public.

I believed him. For five whole years, I thought I was his wife. Now, I discovered that according to official records, I was just an unmarried woman—an unmarried woman carrying a child.

I did not know how I made it home.

As I reached the study door, I heard Enrico talking to his right-hand man, Viktor Russo. "Don Salvatore, are you really not planning to give Isabella any official status?"

I froze where I stood.

After a long silence, Enrico finally spoke, his voice low and calm. "Not yet. Luisa just established her foothold in the West District. She needs my support."

Viktor sounded hesitant. "But Isabella doesn't even have a marriage registration. If she ever finds out you never registered with her and registered with Luisa instead, she could leave anytime."

"Luisa gave me a daughter. I have to ensure she and the child are safe."

Luisa Romano's father died saving Enrico's father years ago. After that, she was raised in Enrico's household. They grew up together, practically childhood friends. I thought they were just like siblings, but apparently…

Viktor seemed about to say more, but Enrico had already made up his mind.

"As for Isabella, she loves me too much to leave. Besides, she completely severed ties with her family to be with me. She has nowhere else to go. She can only stay by my side."

Every word felt like a knife stabbing into my heart.

Five years ago, my father fought bitterly against my relationship with Enrico. Back then, Enrico was not yet a Don. He thought Enrico was just a street-level Capo, unworthy of Don Moretti's daughter.

However, I left with him anyway. I abandoned my family, cut all ties, and came to his territory alone.

Now, the leap of faith I took, betting everything I had, had become his reason for believing I would never leave.

My mind went blank. My legs gave out, and I collapsed hard onto the cold floor.

Rapid footsteps approached. In an instant, Enrico was in front of me, scooping me up and carrying me back into the room. He set me gently on the couch.

"How can you be so careless? Are you hurt anywhere?" He crouched down to check on my knees and wrists. The concern in his eyes was so thick it seemed impossible to fake.

For five whole years, this kind of tenderness had kept me in the dark, drowning me in the illusion of happiness he created.

I suddenly grabbed his hand, clinging to one last shred of hope. Maybe the hospital system really did make a mistake. Maybe Enrico had no idea the registration never went through.

I looked up at him, my voice trembling. "Enrico, there seems to be an issue with our marriage registration. Let's go redo it. Right now."

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. He reached up and ruffled my hair. "Why are you so anxious over something this small? I'll have Viktor handle it. You just rest."

The last glimmer of light in my heart went out completely. After a long silence, I slowly nodded and forced out a single word. "Okay."

Unease stirred in Enrico's chest. He was about to explain when his phone suddenly rang.

I glanced up. The caller ID read "Luisa".

Enrico tensed and let go of me. He grabbed his phone and headed for the door, tossing back a single sentence. "I'll have Viktor take care of the registration as soon as possible. Something's come up. I need to go."

Before he even finished speaking, he pressed answer. His tone turned gentle in an instant. "Don't worry, I'm on my way."

His figure vanished through the estate gates in a rush. He did not look back once.

My mind was a mess. On impulse, I grabbed the car keys and followed him. I tailed his car and watched as he pulled up to an orphanage. Before long, Luisa stepped out with a delicate little girl at her side. That had to be the daughter Luisa gave him.

Luisa's tone was soft and coquettish as she reached out to loop her arm through his. "Enrico, look at how young Cinzia still is. She can't keep hiding and running around with me like this. It's not sustainable.

"I know you have feelings for Isabella, but Cinzia is your child. I'm not asking for anything else. I just want to give her a stable home so she doesn't have to live in fear anymore."

The little girl timidly tugged at Enrico's sleeve. "Papa."

Enrico glanced down at the child. His expression softened for a moment, but when he turned back to Luisa, his tone instantly turned cold and carried a warning. "Luisa, I'm helping you and giving you status purely because the child is innocent. I want you both to live peacefully in the West District. But know your place. Don't push your luck. The only woman I'll ever acknowledge as my wife is Isabella."

Enrico crouched down and stroked the little girl's head, his voice gentler now. "Isabella loves children. I'll discuss it with her later and have her adopt you. Then, you'll finally have a stable home."

My eyes stung.

The next second, I carelessly slammed the car door shut. The noise made all three of them turn to look at me at once.

The moment Enrico saw me, his expression changed. He strode over quickly and grabbed my wrist, his tone frantic. "What are you doing here?"

I gently pulled my hand free and plastered on a flawless smile of confusion. My gaze swept over Luisa and Cinzia standing beside her. I asked with feigned curiosity, "You left and didn't come back for so long. I had nothing to do at home, so I thought I'd come see what was keeping you."

Luisa started to speak, but Enrico cut her off, "Luisa's been helping out at the orphanage, looking after the kids. This is Cinzia. She's been living at the orphanage. I know you've always loved children, so I thought we could adopt her. She could keep you company."

He reached up and ruffled my hair as he spoke. The tenderness in his eyes looked genuine, but my heart felt nothing but cold.

I looked at Cinzia and gently reached out to take her small hand.

The child immediately shrank back into Luisa's arms and timidly called out, "Mamma."

Luisa quickly smoothed things over, her face full of innocent concern. "She's young and shy around strangers. I've been taking care of her for a while now, so she's closer to me. That's why she calls me 'Mamma'.

"I think it'll be hard for her to adjust to a new environment all at once. Since I know her temperament, I can help take care of her and ease her into life at your home. Once she's warmed up to you both, I'll gradually step back."

Nearby, a few orphanage staff members huddled together and whispered, "That's the woman Don Salvatore treasures most? But the one he registered with is clearly Luisa."

"Right? He comes here every day to see Luisa and the kid. That woman's probably been kept in the dark this whole time."

"Luisa's already had his child, and this woman doesn't even have legal status. Now, she's adopting someone else's kid. What's the point?"

I pretended not to hear them. "I do love children, but I'm afraid I won't be able to take good care of her. I don't want her to suffer because of me."

Enrico reached over and took my hand. "What's there to be afraid of? I'm here, and Luisa will help. The child won't suffer."

Luisa chimed in from the side, her face full of sincerity, "Isabella, don't worry. I'm just lending a hand. Once she's settled in, I won't intrude anymore. After all, it's your home. I'm just here to help."

Her words sounded so gracious.

I sneered inwardly but still put on the appearance of being convinced. I nodded. "Alright then. Since you've already arranged everything, we'll take Cinzia home. I'll just have to trouble you to keep looking after her."

Luisa immediately waved her hand, smiling politely. "It's no trouble at all. I'm happy to help."

Enrico's mood visibly improved once the matter was settled. He exchanged a few words with the orphanage staff about follow-up procedures, reminded Luisa to take good care of Cinzia until the paperwork was finalized, then helped me into the car.

On the drive back, his phone buzzed nonstop. I did not need to guess who it was.

He kept his head down, typing away rapidly. He did not spare me a single glance the entire time.

The few times he did look up to speak to me, it was only about arranging things for Cinzia or discussing how Luisa would help with her care.

I leaned against the car window and stared at the scenery flying past outside. I did not say a word the entire way.

I pretended I knew nothing. I pretended I was still fooled by his tenderness. But his indifference and lies had already carved wound after wound into my heart.

The car pulled into the estate. I pushed the door open first and headed straight into the house. I locked the bedroom door behind me.

Leaning against the cold door, I could no longer hold up the smile on my face.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed the number I had not dared call in five years. "Papa, I'm tired. I want to go home."

An urgent voice came through the line. "Did Enrico do something to you?"

Hearing Papa's familiar voice, I could not stop the tears from falling. "Papa, I was wrong."

There was no scolding on the other end, only heartache and concern. "Did someone hurt my precious daughter? Don't be afraid. I'll send someone to bring you home right now."

"Okay..."

The next morning, I woke to the sound of voices downstairs. I dragged my aching body downstairs. The first thing I saw was the scene at the dining table.

Luisa sat beside Enrico with Cinzia between them. The three of them were chatting and laughing, looking every bit like a real family.

The moment Luisa saw me, she stood up with an enthusiastic smile plastered on her face. "Isabella, you're awake? I made breakfast especially for you."

She brought over a bowl of oatmeal.

I looked at her without taking it. "I'm not used to eating food made by others."

Enrico frowned. "Luisa's just being kind. Don't be like this."

I took the bowl and sat down at the table. I forced myself to eat a few spoonfuls despite the discomfort churning in my chest.

There was something in the food. Not long after I swallowed it, my stomach began to ache. The pain came in waves, growing sharper and sharper. I set the bowl down and pressed a hand to my abdomen. My face turned pale. "What did you put in this?"

Luisa's eyes instantly turned red. She looked at Enrico with wounded innocence. "Enrico, I didn't do anything. I just made the oatmeal the way you told me to. How could I hurt her?"

She reached out as if to help me, her voice filled with concern. "Isabella, are you feeling unwell? Let me help you go rest."

Yet as her hand neared me, she deliberately stumbled. She fell hard to the floor, her forehead striking the corner of the table. Blood immediately bloomed across her skin, and tears streamed down her face.

"Isabella, I know you don't like me, but I really didn't hurt you. How could you push me?" She clutched her head, crying pitifully.

Enrico immediately pulled Luisa to her feet and checked her forehead with worry. When he turned to look at me, his eyes were full of reproach.

"Isabella, you've gone too far! Luisa went out of her way to make you breakfast, and instead of being grateful, you pushed her?"

I clutched my stomach, doubled over in pain. Watching him protect Luisa felt like a knife carving into my heart. "I didn't push her. She fell on her own. There's something wrong with the oatmeal. My stomach hurts."

"What could possibly be wrong with the oatmeal? Luisa made it herself. Why would she hurt you?" Enrico frowned, his tone impatient.

"Stop making such a fuss. Luisa's forehead is bleeding. I need to take care of her wound first." He scooped Luisa into his arms and turned to leave.

Luisa glanced back at me with a triumphant smile. She mouthed silently, "Someone without status will never compare to me."

The pain in my abdomen intensified. A heavy, sinking sensation spread through my lower belly. I reached down and felt something warm and wet.

This was the first time anything like this had happened since I became pregnant. Terror seized me instantly.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Enrico's number with trembling hands. The call rang for a long time before he finally picked up. I could hear Luisa's fragile sobbing in the background, followed by Enrico's irritated voice.

"What now? Luisa's still in pain. I don't have time for your dramatics."

"Enrico." My voice was so weak I could barely hear it myself. Another sharp pain tore through my stomach. I could not suppress a low groan. "My stomach hurts badly. Come back. I need you to take me to the hospital."

I thought hearing this would make him worry. I thought he would come back. This was when I needed him most.

Luisa cried even harder on the other end. "Enrico, my head hurts so much. Am I bleeding? I'm so scared."

Enrico's attention immediately shifted to her. He spoke hurriedly into the phone. "Luisa's hurt pretty badly too. I need to take care of her first. Go to the hospital yourself. Stop making such a big deal out of everything."

Then, he hung up.

Making a big deal out of everything? A matter of life and death, but in his eyes, I was just overreacting. I stared at the ended call as tears poured down my face.

Five years. I had bet everything to follow him, gave up my family, severed all ties. And now, when my child and I were facing a life-or-death situation, he was holding another woman in his arms, telling me I was overreacting.

He said I was his only wife, yet he refused to give me even a legal marriage certificate. He said I was the only one in his heart, yet when I needed him most, he chose to take care of another woman. He said he would give me everything, yet he let me become a joke, an unwed mother whose child had no legal standing.

I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

Enough. It was truly enough.

I steadied myself and walked to the bedroom. I pulled out the forged miscarriage certificate I had prepared long ago and left it on the table.

Since he thought I was unreasonable and vicious, I would let him believe his indifference had cost him this child.

A car horn sounded at the estate gates. The people Papa sent had arrived.

I did not look back as I walked out of the estate I had lived in for five years. I walked out of the elaborate lie Enrico had spent five years weaving.

The driver at the gate respectfully opened the car door. "Signorina, the Don instructed us to escort you safely. We'll take you home now."

I climbed into the car. As it slowly pulled away from the estate, I gently touched my abdomen and whispered, "Sweetheart, I'm taking you away from here. No one will ever hurt us again."