The Contract Ended, and So Did I

Francesco stared at the shoe, and the color drained from his face.

"What did you say?" he croaked. "The car was fine when I left. How could it suddenly burst into flames?"

His subordinate lowered his head, his forehead covered in sweat. Before Francesco could speak again, Selena padded out of her ward and asked weakly, "Is Ms. Morelli alright?

"I remember the driver only glanced at his phone, and the car swerved out of control. Did the same thing happen to her?"

Francesco's expression darkened. He turned to his subordinate and ordered, "Find her immediately. I know how cunning she is. She must've fled after her plan failed, and now she wants to pin the blame on Selena.

"Bring her here. I want her to apologize to Selena in person!"

His subordinate hesitated, wanting to say something. But the moment he glanced up, he caught the threatening look in Selena's eyes. He shuddered and simply nodded before leaving.

"Why are you getting up? You should be resting," Francesco chided, masking his irritation with a gentle voice.

Selena lay back down, her face still devoid of color.

"Caro, don't blame Ms. Morelli. It's all my fault," she said weakly. "I didn't heed her warning and insisted on being with you. It's normal that she hates me. I don't blame her.

"All I hope is that I can deliver this child safely. It's your first child after all, and you've waited so long."

Affection filled Francesco's eyes as he gazed at her.

"Selena, you're just too sensible. If only Mia were half as thoughtful as you…

"But don't worry. I'll give you an explanation. I won't let her off easily. I spoiled her too much back then, so that's why she's been getting more reckless. She even had the nerve to hurt you! This won't happen again."

Selena nodded with a smile.

Francesco waited until she fell asleep before slipping out of the ward. He opened his phone, a strange anxiety gnawing at him. News of the explosion on the overpass was still everywhere, yet I had vanished without a trace.

He tried to suppress the unease and turned around, only to bump into a nurse walking over with a report. He took it without thinking and flipped it open.

When he learned that Selena was pregnant, he wanted to accompany her to the checkup, but she said she had already gone. As he looked at the small silhouette on the ultrasound, he felt his heart soften.

"The baby is fine," the nurse said cheerfully. "Thankfully, it's already three months old. Otherwise, the situation could've been serious today."

Francesco blinked, the smile on his face disappearing.

"Three months?" He heard himself say. "Wasn't it two?"

The nurse flinched at his sudden question but explained nervously, "Ms. Ricci is over three months along. We told her during her previous checkup."

Realization struck Francesco before she even finished her sentence. He kicked open the door and threw the report onto the bed.

"Explain. How many months are you actually pregnant?" he demanded.

Selena stared at the report, her face turning white. "T-Two months! This must be a mistake. The hospital must've mixed it up. Let's go to another hospital…"

She grabbed his hand in panic, tears spilling over. In the past, he would have softened instantly, but this time, he shoved her away.

"Whose child is it? Tell me!"

Selena trembled, unable to speak.

Francesco looked as if someone had punched the living daylights out of him when his subordinate rushed in.

"Mr. Greco, we still can't find Mrs. Greco, but we found this at your house."

He glanced at the documents. They were my prenatal report and the signed divorce papers.