Unlovable Beyond Smoke

The evening wind blew in from above and chilled her to the bone.

Alicia had planned to be alone for a few minutes, but Sophia quickly followed.

At the far end of the terrace was a suspended glass walkway. Below them, the club’s courtyard stretched out. Lights glittered, and people moved like ants.

Normally, this spot was a favorite for guests to take photos. Today, it was just the two of them.

Sophia wrapped herself in Matteo’s jacket. Her smug face was hard to hide. “Alicia, you saw that clearly, right? When something happens, I’m the first person he protects.”

Alicia leaned on the railing without turning her head.

“Someone who sneaks into another person’s marriage by scheming and by taking advantage of situations shouldn’t act like the attention they get is some kind of honor.”

Sophia’s face turned cold. “You really think highly of yourself. Do you know why he married you back then? It was because you could handle the Vitale family’s dirty work. You’re useful, not special.”

“Is that so?”

Alicia glared at her coldly. “Then, why hasn’t he married you yet? Doesn’t he want to? Oh, right! He told me it was just for fun. Free things are always more exciting.”

Sophia’s face twisted at Alicia’s words. She reached out to grab her.

As they struggled, a sharp crack came from the far end of the walkway.

It sounded like a heavy object had hit the glass.

The next second, cracks spread across the transparent floor beneath them like a spiderweb. Alarms blared at the same time. The sound was so sharp it made their skin crawl.

Sophia went pale and held onto the railing with all her strength.

Alicia stepped back.

The walkway began to tilt. The support beams groaned under the weight, and metal scraped against metal. The sound filled the air with alarm.

Someone shouted from a distance, “Don’t move! The walkway is failing!”

But it was too late.

With a deafening crash, the front section of the walkway collapsed.

Alicia and Sophia were thrown downward. They did not fall straight into the courtyard. Hanging steel frames and safety nets caught them first.

Alicia slammed into something with impact. Her vision darkened for a moment. Her lower back and belly felt like they had been beaten with a hammer. Sophia screamed on the other side and trembled in fear.

They were separated by twisted, broken steel beams. Below them was a drop of several floors. One wrong move could send them falling again.

People quickly crowded around.

Rescue ropes were lowered from above. The staff shouted instructions as they checked the anchor points.

Matteo’s voice came from above. It was deeper than usual. “First, check which side is more stable.”

The lead rescuer looked up. “The steel frame is bent. We can only secure one side first. There’s not enough time. We have to pull one person up first, or the whole structure will collapse.”

For two seconds, the air felt completely still.

Alicia heard her own heartbeat. She also heard Sophia crying in panic. “Matteo! I’m scared! I can’t hold on anymore!”

Matteo stood at the edge of the break. His face was pale.

He looked at Alicia first.

For a moment, it seemed that he remembered that she was his wife. He said, “Pull Alicia up first.”

Alicia felt her heart flutter.

The next second, the rope on Sophia’s side slipped again. Her body dangled halfway in the air.

She screamed until her voice nearly gave out. “Save me! Matteo, save me!”

Matteo’s expression changed instantly. Almost instinctively, he shouted, “Save Sophia first! Now!”

That tiny, foolish hope she had just felt vanished in an instant.

Alicia closed her eyes. Her heart felt painfully empty.

Soon, Sophia was secured with a safety rope and pulled up. Chaos erupted above. Everyone surrounded her.

On Alicia’s side, the weight shifted again. The steel frame beneath her sank suddenly.

Someone shouted, “This side is going to break!”

Matteo finally turned his head. His voice shook for the first time. “Alicia, hold on!”

Before he could finish, the steel frame completely collapsed.

Alicia fell with half of the safety net onto the platform below.

The moment she hit the floor, her belly felt as if it had been ripped open. Warm liquid spread down her legs.

Before she fell unconscious, only one thought crossed her mind.

Her child would never even have the chance for its father to know it existed.