The True Heiress They Replaced and Then Tried to Erase

Mateo had no idea that earlier that afternoon, I had a soldier wire a camera into the study, hidden among the squared edges of his liquor bottles.

On the screen, he held a photo of Valentina tightly, murmuring to himself.

"Valentina, Lorenzo didn't go to ground today just to keep his distance from you."

"Why do you only ever have eyes for him? Why do you want to carry his child?"

"Today, Adriana told me she wanted a child of mine too. I was actually a little moved… She really is a good woman… but she'll never be you."

"If she could give me a child, maybe I'd love her a little more… But that's impossible now."

I clenched my phone, my grip tightening as the truth finally sank in.

He did want a child of his own. He did have some feelings for me. And yet, for Valentina, he could suppress all of it, even resisting the temptation of an heir with me.

Mateo, since you love her so much, I'd make sure you'd have her.

The next morning, Valentina arrived with her own men, hauling bags of luggage past my soldiers at the gate as she officially moved into my home, deep in Falcone territory.

I glanced toward the kitchen, immediately understanding what was happening. In two years bound by the alliance pact, Mateo had never once stepped into the kitchen to make me breakfast.

So that was it. Whatever he was cooking, it wasn't for me. It was for the woman he truly loved.

At the dining table, Valentina took a bite of a shrimp dumpling, then smiled as she held it out to me.

"Sis, how does Matty not know you're allergic to shrimp?"

She paused, then went on. "Ah, well… I guess it's not surprising. He probably just remembers that I love eating shrimp."

I clenched the spoon tightly, staying silent.

"Here comes the last dish, shrimp and egg omelet!"

Mateo came. He wore heat-resistant gloves while carefully setting the dish on the table, then nudged it a half-inch straighter without thinking.

"Adriana, your health has always been fragile. Eat more of this. It's good for you."

"Mateo, don't tell me you didn't know Adriana is allergic to shrimp? Then again, I suppose that's expected. How well can a couple really know each other in an arranged match between Families?"

Valentina smirked playfully, her fingers drifting to the pendant at her throat, while Mateo's face tensed as he turned to look at me.

"I'm sorry, Adriana… It's my first time cooking, so I—"

Before he could finish, a wave of nausea rolled over me. I clamped a hand over my mouth and bolted for the bathroom.

Mateo hurried after me, while Valentina leaned lazily against the doorframe, amusement dancing in her voice.

"Tsk tsk, Sis, you look just like I did a few months ago when I was dealing with morning sickness." She let it hang, then added, "Too bad… that's not even a possibility for you, is it?"

She was about to go on, but Mateo cut her off.

"Valentina, did you struggle with morning sickness too?"

The warmth of his hands on my back suddenly felt uncertain, like at any moment they might slip away toward Valentina instead.

"Exactly! I've been through so much for your big brother, and he doesn't appreciate it at all. Instead, he picks fights with me!"

Valentina huffed in frustration while reaching down to pat her belly.

"Being pregnant is exhausting! So what if I have a bit of a temper? Honestly, I don't even want this baby anymore!"

Mateo immediately grabbed her hand. "Don't say that. Once you give birth, this child will be the future blood-heir of the Graciano Family. Big Brother will owe you his gratitude."

Hearing that, Valentina's expression brightened and she leaned into Mateo's arms.

"Adriana, you're so lucky! Mateo is far more caring than Lorenzo!"

Mateo's ears turned red and he quickly steadied her. "You're far along now. You need to be careful."

Noticing my gaze, Valentina suddenly clutched her belly and let out a pained gasp.

Mateo panicked, scooping her up without hesitation. "Adriana, I'm taking Valentina to the doctor."

I said nothing, the weight in my chest growing heavier, more suffocating. Hot tears dripped into the sink.

Mateo, you're not even trying to hide your feelings for her anymore...

As soon as Don Falcone and his wife heard Valentina wasn't feeling well, they came at once, fussing over her, showering her with concern as though she carried the only blood that mattered to the Family.

They didn't ask about me.

Instead, they reminded Mateo and me to take good care of her, even insisting on bringing in the finest nurse the Family's money could buy to look after her.