Love That Froze and Thawed

After the doctor left, the house went dead quiet.

I dragged myself out of bed and started packing.

Halfway down the stairs, diary in hand, I ran right into Sandro and Helga. She was cradling Genny, both of them laughing like some perfect family.

Sandro saw me and froze, like I was a threat or something. Pulled Genny behind him without thinking.

Once Helga whisked Genny away, he chilled a little. Tried to explain. "Helga's pregnant with my son. She can't handle a sick kid, so I brought them here."

Then he noticed my face and that irritation kicked in. "Genny got sick because of your jealousy. Since you're fine now, apologize to Helga and help the maids with Genny."

Normally, I'd have yelled at him.

This time, I just looked up and met his eyes.

Sandro noticed my pale lips, brows pulling tight. Stepped in closer. "You look awful. Is it your period? Did the cold room mess you up? What'd the doctor say?"

I stepped back. Dodged his hand.

Sandro froze, then frowned. "Emilia, after last night, the more I defend you, the worse my family gets.

"But now that Helga's pregnant with my son, they've agreed to the wedding. Even if you're still not okay—can't you just admit you were wrong? For me?

"Once Genny's better, I'll convince them to reschedule everything."

'Still telling me to wait.' I said inwardly.

I held onto the diary tighter, tossed him a bitter smile.

He didn't like that. "Smile? What's so funny?"

He ripped the diary from my hands, flipping through it like it owed him answers. His eyes landed on the numbers—every time I waited. Every time he failed me.

Clueless.

"What the hell is this supposed to mean?"

He kept flipping, pages snapping, until he hit the last one—the one where I wrote about the baby.

Helga stepped in like clockwork, Genny in her arms. "Sandro, it's normal for Emilia to be emotional after punishment. I'll take Genny back to the manor. No need to argue."

She looked all helpless and soft—nothing like the ice queen who smirked while ordering her guys to strip me.

That fake plea? Cracked whatever spine Sandro had left.

"Don't overthink," he told her gently. "This argument isn't about you."

Then he turned to me, all exasperation. "Emilia, if you were more like Helga—gentle, mature, not so bitter toward Genny—we'd be married by now."

"I didn't—who poured the water on Genny wasn't—"

I tried to speak, but Helga swooped in, sugar-dripping voice and all. "It's my fault! I panicked when Genny got a fever. I never imagined they'd punish you so harshly.

"You don't have kids, Emilia... so maybe you just don't understand what it feels like to be a mother."

She smoothed her hair, and the ruby ring caught the light.

I froze. Shaking harder than I had in the cold room.

That ring—Sandro's mom's heirloom. The one he used to propose to me.

He'd knelt, said he'd only ever give it to the woman he loved most.

It was supposed to be on my finger tomorrow.

Now it was on hers.

Sandro's voice came out stiff. "Helga's Genny's mom. It made sense for her to wear the ring at the party. And... our wedding got postponed after your punishment. When we reschedule, I'll have her give it back."

'Yeah, right. There's no next time.' I sneered to myself.

"Alright," I said, head down so he wouldn't see my eyes.