Chapter 5 Last thread of hope

Serena's throat tightened as panic swept through her. Her gaze slowly lifted to Lorenzo, and the moment their eyes met, her heart sank.

Margaret immediately slipped into her role, placing a hand over her chest as though overcome with happiness.

"Oh, Lorenzo," she said with a bright smile, gently holding his arm. "This is wonderful news. After four years, I'm finally going to have a grandchild."

Lorenzo didn't react, instead, his expression darkened.

"What did you say?"

His quiet voice carried a dangerous edge, causing Margaret to stiffen. She slowly released his arm and took an uneasy step back.

Lorenzo's attention returned to Serena.

"You're pregnant?"

His sharp gaze searched her face, making her pulse race. Every instinct told her to run, but her feet refused to move.

He closed the distance between them until they were only inches apart.

"Tell me," he said calmly, his tone almost gentle. "Are you pregnant?"

Anyone else might have mistaken his voice for kindness but Serena knew better.

The calmer Lorenzo sounded, the more terrifying he became. She could already sense the storm building behind those cold gray eyes.

Fear tightened around her chest and unable to withstand the pressure of his stare, she instinctively shook her head, her lips parting without a single word.

"Answer me," Lorenzo demanded.

"No.. no" she whispered weakly.

His icy stare left no room for escape.

She instinctively wrapped a protective hand around her stomach, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Before she could gather the courage to speak again, Margaret let out a soft gasp.

"Oh, dear..." she murmured, pretending to look troubled. "Perhaps we're jumping to conclusions."

She hesitated deliberately before adding, "If the baby truly belongs to Lorenzo, then there's nothing to worry about..."

She lowered her eyes.

"But... what if it doesn't?"

Lorenzo's expression hardened instantly.

The doubt Margaret planted spread through his mind like poison.

In two quick strides, he stood before Serena. His fingers closed around her chin, forcing her to meet his cold gray eyes.

"Listen carefully," he said in a dangerously calm voice. "If I ever discover you're carrying another man's child..." He paused, his grip tightening. "I'll make sure neither you nor that child lives to see another day."

Serena felt her blood run cold because she knew the baby was his. She also knew nothing she said would change his mind.

Slowly, she lowered her gaze, choosing silence over another futile attempt to defend herself.

Lorenzo released her with a shove before snatching his suit jacket from the chair.

Without sparing her another glance, he walked out of the bedroom.

A few seconds later, the front door slammed shut and only then did Serena allow herself to breathe. Her trembling legs gave way, and she sank onto the edge of the bed, clutching her stomach. She released another a shaky breath but the relief was short-lived.

Sooner or later, he would discover her pregnancy and when that day came, Serena had no idea whether he would believe the truth or carry out the threat he had made.

Placing a gentle hand over her stomach, she silently prayed.

Please... let him find out before it's too late.

As evening settled over the Russo mansion, Serena forced herself through the rest of her daily chores despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on her body. After tidying the bedrooms, she headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner for the family.

She had barely begun when Margaret walked in.

A faint smile rested on her lips as her eyes lingered on Serena's pale face.

Earlier that afternoon, Margaret had discovered a used pregnancy test hidden beneath the trash. From that moment, she knew Serena was carrying Lorenzo's child.

The discovery had filled her with anger because if Serena gave birth to Lorenzo's heir, Damiano would lose every chance of inheriting the Russo empire.

Still, Margaret concealed her hatred behind a mask of kindness.

"My dear," she said warmly, "we'll be leaving for a gala soon. Lorenzo specifically instructed the family to attend, so we can't refuse."

She sighed dramatically before continuing.

"You'll probably be happier staying home anyway."

Serena looked at her in confusion.

Margaret smiled knowingly.

"The celebration is for Bianca."

At the mention of the name, Serena's expression stiffened.

Margaret continued as though she hadn't noticed.

"She's finally returned to Italy after spending three years overseas building her career. Everyone says she's become one of the country's most famous models."

She paused before adding the final blow.

"And, according to the media... She's also Lorenzo's girlfriend."

The words pierced Serena's heart like a knife.

Margaret gently patted her hand, pretending to comfort her.

"Take care of yourself, dear."

With that, she turned and walked away, hiding the satisfied smile that slowly spread across her face.

After Margaret left, silence settled over the mansion. The thought of Lorenzo spending the evening celebrating another woman robbed Serena of any desire to eat. She instructed the servants to serve themselves before quietly returning to her bedroom.

All she wanted was to sleep and forget the pain, even if only for a few hours.

As she lay down, her phone vibrated and there came a news alert flashing across the screen.

With trembling fingers, she opened it.

The headline featured a photograph of Lorenzo standing intimately beside Bianca, the internationally famous supermodel. In the picture, Bianca had her arms wrapped around his neck while Lorenzo looked at her with an expression the media quickly interpreted as affection.

The comments below were filled with congratulations, calling them Italy's most powerful couple.

Serena's vision blurred. She gently placed a hand over her stomach as tears rolled silently down her cheeks.

If the entire world already believed Bianca belonged beside Lorenzo…

What place was left for her and her unborn child?

The last thread of hope she had clung to finally snapped. She could no longer imagine a future where Lorenzo accepted either of them.

Suddenly, every light in the mansion went out and the room was swallowed by darkness.

Startled, Serena grabbed her phone and switched on the flashlight.

"Hello?" .