A Tainted Bloodline

I struggled to focus, but the drug blurred everything.

I could make out my own handwriting.

Silvana began to read aloud, her voice shrill and piercing.

"My dearest Marco, Darren has another meeting tonight, so we can finally be alone..."

"No..." I managed to shake my head, my tongue still numb. "I didn't write that..."

"Our son will have my intelligence and your good looks, a world away from that fool Darren..."

"Next month, we'll take the baby and escape from here, start a new life in Paris..."

"None of this is true!" I tried with all my might to refute her.

"Still pretending?" Silvana sneered. "Angelina gave these to me herself. She said you hid them well, but secrets have a way of coming out."

She produced a man’s gold cufflink.

It was engraved with an unfamiliar initial.

"This was found in your vanity drawer," she said, dangling it in front of my eyes. "It belongs to Marco Jackson. Angelina said you two often met here when Darren was away."

“What are you talking about! I’ve never even met a Marco!”

Silvana stood up and kicked me in the ribs.

The sharp pain made me curl into a ball.

"Forged?" Her voice cut like a knife. "Then explain why there was another man's belongings in your vanity. Explain why these letters are in your handwriting."

I wanted to argue, but the words were stuck in my throat.

Angelina's setup was too perfect.

"How many family traditions did my brother break for you?" Silvana continued kicking me. "He gave you the best life, the greatest respect! And for what?"

Her voice grew more hysterical. I could only shield my belly.

Time ticked by. No one was coming to save me.

Until Dr. Russo appeared again, the syringe in his hand now filled with a deep red liquid.

"An enhanced formula. By special request of the Boss."

The needle pierced my vein once more.

This time, the drug burned even hotter, like lava flowing through my blood.

My heartbeat became erratic, my chest heaving violently.

"Dr. Russo..." I gasped. "Something's... wrong..."

He checked my pulse and frowned. "Don't worry, you won't die. It's just a bit uncomfortable. You'll have to bear with it."

After the injection, an unprecedented wave of agony washed over me.

My skin flushed and burned. My breathing grew ragged and shallow.

"What's... what's wrong with her?" Silvana took a few steps back.

Dr. Russo checked my eyes. "An allergic reaction. A severe one."

I began to convulse, foam frothing at my mouth. I feared...

"Save... my baby..." I managed to choke out.

Silvana watched me in my agony, hesitating for a moment, but she had heard the doctor say I wouldn't die.

"You deserve it!" she snarled. "You whore!"

She grabbed my hair and stomped on my hand with her heel.

A tearing pain shot through me.

I wanted to fight back, but I had no strength left. My body was too weak.

“My only job today is to make sure you don’t give birth. The Falcone heir can’t be a bastard.”

"He's not a bastard!" I used my last ounce of strength to protect my stomach. "I told you, he's Darren's child..."

I felt a warm gush of liquid between my legs.

It was blood. A lot of blood.

"Stop... please, stop..."

She paid no attention, continuing to kick and punch me.

"The Falcone bloodline will not be tainted!"

Despair washed over me. I knew my baby wasn't going to make it.

I lost consciousness completely.