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Bellandi tilts his head. “You mean my diamonds? Being polished. Catalogued. Ready to ship.”

He steps closer. “But before that… I need to clean house.”

A sharp whistle cuts the air. In a flash, guards surge forward, grabbing our arms before we can reach for the knives at our belts. One pins Riccardo against the wall. Another yanks my arm behind my back and slams me to my knees.

The barrels of two rifles press against the base of my skull. And Bellandi claps.

Chapter Twenty-Eight – Lunetta

I keep my eyes on the edge of the desk where the wood is chipped, trying not to look at the crucifix above the cabinet. Mary’s statue is perched by the window, serene and watching. My hands rest in my lap, stiff and pale. The black dress I wore to Nonna’s funeral still clings to me like a second skin I forgot to peel off.

It took a couple of IV drips for me to feel like a human after Bea rushed me here. She insisted on me having bloodwork done.

Sister Caterina’s voice cuts through the stillness. “Your bloodwork came out normal. You’re undernourished and severely stressed. That’s expected, after what you’ve gone through.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

But Bea leans forward, not letting it go. “And?” she presses gently. The nun shifts in her chair. The way her fingers fidget with the folder tells me everything.

“There’s... one more thing,” she murmurs. “Miss Lunetta, according to your results... you’re about two weeks pregnant.”

My body goes numb. I stand.

“Thank you.”

Then I walk out of the office.

“Lune!” Bea’s footsteps echo behind me. “Lune, wait—please.”

My shoes slap against the tile. I want to scream but there’s no breath. Just static in my skull. Just that word, looping.

Pregnant. Me.

“Lunetta!”

I turn so fast the hallway blurs. “What?”

People freeze. Conversations hush. A nurse crosses herself.

“Let’s just talk—”

“About what, Bea?” My voice cracks. “That I’m pregnant? What else is there to talk about?”

Bea lowers her voice. “We can fix this. But I need you to talk to me.”

“A man kidnapped me from the airport. That’s why I disappeared. He took me—and I let him touch me. I wanted him to. I begged him. I loved every second.” My chest is tight. My throat stings. “And I still do. I want him again. That’s the truth. That’s what happened.”

Bea reaches for me. “Lune... breathe—”

“Don’t,” I whisper, stepping back.

But she doesn’t let go. “So what? You wanted it. That doesn’t make you less.”

I can’t look at her. My head drops. “I’m not who I was. I’m... ruined.”

“No,” Bea says, and her voice breaks with me. “You’re still the girl who kept napkins in her apron to wipe strangers’ sweat. You’re still the girl who prayed over bread before slicing it. You’re not ruined, Lunetta. You’re just older now.”

“I’m carrying a baby,” I breathe, and it lands like a stone. “Bea... what am I supposed to do?”