Page 31 of Obsidian Devotion

I can't speak, can only nod, the confession tearing my soul open.

"Is it—" his voice hardens again, even as a single tear escapes down his cheek, "—is it even mine? Or is that part of your revenge, too? Make me believe I'm having a child, then take that away as well?"

The accusation slams into me like a physical blow. My hand moves before my mind can process what I'm doing. The crack of my palm against his cheek echoes in the quiet apartment.

"How dare you?" I seethe, trembling with rage and anguish. "How dare you question that? After everything between us, you think I would lie about our child?"

Lorenzo laughs, but it’s hollow and devoid of any warmth. He rubs his reddened cheek, eyes now completely dry, as if he's burned away any vulnerability in an instant.

"You know what the saddest part is, Sofia?" he says, his voice lethally quiet. "I thought you were different. Special. But you're just damaged goods playing dress-up in my world—another pretty face with a rotting soul beneath. I should have fucking listened to my suspicions.”

Each word is a knife, precisely aimed at my deepest insecurities. The cruelty of it steals my breath, makes my knees weak. I reach for the wall to steady myself.

"Lorenzo—" I reach for him, but he steps back.

Before I can say anything more, the door crashes open behind him. Carlos strides in, flanked by armed men I've never seen before.

His smile is cold, triumphant, as he levels a gun at Lorenzo's back.

"Perfect timing," Carlos says, his voice dripping with satisfaction as he presses the gun into the back of Lorenzo's head. "I finally have you exactly where I planned, Lorenzo Bellanti. ”

11

Lorenzo

Ifeelthecoldmetalof a gun barrel press into the back of my skull. Time slows.

My first thought is to protect Sofia and our child.

It's still so unreal.

I'm going to be a father. Me.

The thought both terrifies and exhilarates me.

In our world, family is everything—and now I have one starting right in front of me.

A life is growing inside the woman I've fallen for. My blood. My legacy. The fierce surge of protectiveness that rushes through me is primal, overwhelming.

Even knowing what I now know about her lies, I still want to protect her.

"Uncle Carlos," Sofia whispers suddenly, her face draining of color.

I freeze at her words. Uncle? The file said she had no family. But then again, I shouldn't be shocked, not after everything else I just discovered.

The man—Carlos—circles around to face us, gun trained steadily. His face reveals nothing but cold hatred. Two armed men flank the doorway, weapons ready.

"The great Lorenzo Bellanti," Carlos says, voice rough with contempt. "Finally, at my mercy."

Sofia steps forward. "Carlos, this wasn't the plan—"

"Wasn't what?" he cuts her off. "The plan changed when you became compromised." His eyes flick between us, hardening when they land on Sofia. "Or did you think I wouldn't notice?"

He produces a phone, showing Sofia surveillance photos of us together, our intimate moments captured from afar. A grainyphoto of Sofia buying pregnancy tests. His face contorts with rage.

"You let the enemy breed you. Just like your mother," he spits. "Weak. Sentimental."

Carlos smiles thinly, then nods to his men. "Tie them both up. Secure them well."

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