Chapter 2
Serafina's POV
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as I floated near the ceiling, watching Rafael get up and wash. His movements remained calm and methodical, but I noticed something complicated in his gaze when he looked at the "sleeping" Bianca.
After Rafael left the bedroom, Bianca immediately jumped up, hastily threw on a robe, and rushed to the kitchen. I drifted after her and witnessed a scene that shattered my heart.
Elena was already waiting for her in the kitchen corner.
Elena Martinez, the maid I'd trusted for three years, was whispering instructions to Bianca in hushed tones.
"Remember, Mrs. Monteverdi likes one spoon of sugar in her coffee," Elena coached quietly. "Not two spoons—one. And she always uses that blue cup."
WHAT?!
My heart felt like it was being viciously torn apart. Elena had been a Santangelo spy all along! This woman I'd confided all my secrets to had been watching me from the very beginning!
"Got it. What else?" Bianca asked eagerly, greed flickering in her eyes.
"She doesn't like orange juice but drinks lemon water. For breakfast, usually just one piece of toast—rarely touches eggs." Elena continued sharing my personal habits. "Also, when Mr. Rafael comes home, she always asks softly if he wants anything to drink. Remember—gentle voice, not eager."
TRAITOR! Damn traitor!
For three years, I'd considered Elena my only friend. I'd confided my confusion about Rafael, my fears about this cold family. And she'd been collecting intelligence the whole time, preparing for today's replacement scheme.
During breakfast, I hovered above the dining room, watching Bianca follow Elena's coaching as she prepared coffee. One spoon of sugar, blue cup, even mimicking my stirring technique.
Rafael entered, picked up the Wall Street Journal, and sat down. This had been our routine for three years—silent breakfasts, each doing our own thing.
But Bianca clearly couldn't stand this coldness.
"Rafael..." she called in my voice, with a vulnerable undertone. "I want to go home and see my parents. Lately... I haven't been feeling great."
My heart clenched. Go home? Rafael never let me return to the Santangelo estate. I remembered last Christmas when I wanted to spend the holidays there—he'd coldly refused, saying that wasn't my home. At the time, I thought he just wanted to humiliate me, but thinking back now, with the families' past enmity, he might have genuinely been worried about something.
"Homesick?" Rafael lowered his paper, frowning at her.
"Yes, I haven't seen them in so long." Bianca's voice grew more fragile. "Mom says she misses me."
Rafael fell silent for several seconds, looking somewhat uncomfortable with this vulnerable version of "me."
Then he made a decision that shocked me.
"Alright." He actually nodded in agreement. "I'll arrange things today. I'll go with you tomorrow."
WHAT?!
Why would he never accompany me home but be willing to go with this fraud?
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Elena went to answer it, returning with a hospital envelope.
"Mr. Rafael, this is Mrs. Monteverdi's medical report from two weeks ago." She handed him the envelope.
Two weeks ago? I remembered—that was the checkup I'd gotten shortly before my death. I'd been feeling unwell and secretly went for tests.
Rafael opened the envelope, scanned the report, then his expression suddenly changed.
"You're pregnant." He stared intently at Bianca.
WHAT? I was pregnant?!
I floated in shock, this news striking me like lightning. I was pregnant? Why didn't I know?
Bianca's face instantly paled. She was obviously stunned by this news too. She looked frantically between the report and Rafael.
"I... I..." she stammered, clearly not knowing how to respond.
"According to this report, you're six weeks along." Rafael repeated, a flash of joy in his eyes.
Bianca's gaze darted around wildly, then she suddenly covered her face, putting on a pained expression.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Rafael..." her voice choked. "When you were away on business, I... I accidentally fell down some stairs. The baby... the baby is gone."
WHAT?! She's lying!
My eyes widened. I'd been poisoned by her—there was no fall, no miscarriage! But since Bianca wasn't actually pregnant, she could only fabricate this lie.
Rafael's body instantly stiffened, the light in his eyes extinguished.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded harshly.
"I didn't want you to worry... and you were so busy with work..." Bianca continued her fake tears. "I thought I could handle it myself."
Rafael remained silent for a long time, then stood up.
"I understand. Get some rest."
He took the report and headed to the balcony. I quickly followed.
On the balcony, Rafael pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Tony, get me the best gynecologist," his voice was low. "Ask about recovery care after miscarriage."
I floated beside him, shocked by the pain and concern in his eyes.
"Also, arrange for the best nutritionist. She needs to rebuild her strength." He continued, "Don't let her know I arranged it."
He cares about me.
This realization hit me like lightning. Rafael cared about my health, cared about our lost child. He seemed cold on the surface, but deep down he was suffering.
"Boss, did Mrs. Monteverdi really miscarry?" Tony's cautious voice came through the phone.
Rafael was quiet for several seconds. "Just do what I said."
After hanging up, he stood alone on the balcony, still holding that medical report. I saw his hands trembling slightly.
I'd misunderstood him for three years.
Rafael had been caring for me in his own way all along, and I'd never noticed. Now he thought we'd lost a child, and his heart must be breaking.
That afternoon, after Rafael left, Bianca finally dropped her act, thinking no one was watching.
She sat on the living room sofa, the pain and vulnerability instantly vanishing from her face, replaced by a triumphant sneer.
"Ha! Got through that!" she muttered to herself. "Pregnant? That bitch was actually pregnant?"
She stood up and paced excitedly around the living room, malicious gleam in her eyes.
"Perfect! Now she's dead and the baby's gone too!" she grinned wickedly. "Rafael will never know the truth!"
Seeing her evil face, rage made my soul tremble.
"You damn bitch!" she cursed at the air. "Why did YOU get to carry Rafael's child? WHY?"
"Three years! Three whole years I've endured watching you in that position!" her voice turned shrill. "Just some adopted nobody, and now you're finally DEAD!"
ENOUGH!
I desperately tried to attack her, wanting to tear apart that hypocritical face, but my hands passed right through her body. I couldn't do anything—just watch helplessly as she insulted me, insulted my dead child.
My child... our child...
Pain cut through my heart like knives. I hadn't just lost my life—I'd lost a child I'd never even known existed. And Rafael didn't even know this child had ever been real.
I floated in the darkness, filled with nothing but endless hatred and despair.
I would have my revenge.
No matter what, I would make this evil woman pay.