What Real Heartbreak Feels Like

My sister, Sofia, was shot during a clash with a rival family, leaving her in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant.

I was the only match.

There was just one problem.

At six months pregnant with the Falcone family heir, the procedure would kill me.

My family held me down anyway.

My husband, Marco, simply watched.

"It's just some bone marrow, Isabella," he said, his voice void of emotion.

"You're strong. You'll recover."

"But Sofia... she's the family's darling. We can't afford to lose her."

They took my marrow and left me bleeding out on the table.

But I didn't die.

When I woke up, I made a single phone call.

They wanted an heir from me.

So I scheduled an abortion.

————————

1

"Mrs. Falcone," the doctor began, holding out my medical report. "Are you certain you want to terminate the pregnancy? You're aware of Mr. Falcone's condition. This is the only heir to the Falcone family. Once the procedure is done…"

"That's enough," I cut him off, my voice calm. "Do it."

An unwanted heir? Into this world? This family of vipers? No. He deserved better.

After scheduling the surgery, I returned to our penthouse apartment in Manhattan.

Marco was just striding out of the open-plan kitchen, carrying an exquisite take-out box.

He glanced at my pale face, but his stride didn't falter. His voice was laced with ice.

"Food's on the table. You need to get your strength back after the donation."

Seeing him about to leave, I couldn't stop myself from asking, "Where are you going?"

Marco’s brow furrowed with irritation. "The hospital, obviously. Sofia got hurt taking care of family business. She needs someone there. And you're here, acting like it's nothing!"

As he spoke, he sized me up with a look of pure disgust.

"Making a scene over some marrow. How can you be so cold-hearted? She's your own sister, and you were just going to let her die!"

In that moment, I swear I heard my heart shatter on the floor like a pane of glass.

I bit the inside of my cheek, hard, staring at him. "I'm cold-hearted? If it weren't for this baby, I wouldn't even be able to stand!"

The mention of the baby ignited Marco’s rage. In a single stride, he was on me, pinning me to the wall, his glare ferocious.

"You dare bring up the baby? It was some marrow, not your life! Who the hell do you think you are? You think donating a little marrow is going to kill my son?"

I couldn't believe the words pouring from his mouth.