Page 72 of Brutal Crown

“Come forward and tell us what you saw,” Zia Clara says with a chuckle.

Dante remains seated, a bitter look of displeasure crossing his face.

Someone pushes forward, and it’s…

Paula.

“I-It was in the servants’ quarters. It was dark, and I was returning to my room when I saw them. She was c-caressing his chest and whispering something in his ear, but he pushed her away and walked off.”

Something bitter burns down my throat as more laughter rings out. I raise my head to look at her, but she avoids my gaze. What did I ever do to her? Why would she lie so blatantly in front of everyone?

A dark part of me considers revealing that I stole the test kit from her, and she’s probably pregnant with someone in this house, but I say nothing.

“At least we know Master Elio is not one of the suspects,” someone mutters, and more people chuckle.

The laughter dies down when Marco and Elio walk into the room. I ignore all the emotions swirling in my chest, and I do well to avoid Marco’s gaze.

Dante speaks again.

“You will tell everyone who the father of your bastard child is,” he spits.

There’s no doubt what he plans to do to me. If I don’t speak, he’ll torture me until I do. If I reveal the truth, they will kill me and my unborn child. Or worse, they’ll kill me after I’ve given birth and keep the baby for themselves, knowing it has the Romano blood running through its veins.

Another part of me refuses to admit I’m also scared for Francesco. If they find out the baby is his, it would ruin not only his engagement but also the decades-long relationship between the Romano and Moretti families. And it will all be Francesco’s fault. He, whose job as the heir is to keep the families and legacy together, would be the one to destroy it.

I should not be worried about him right now, but my heart can’t help but tug in that direction.

My silence thickens the air as everyone waits for an answer. I feel Marco’s heavy stare on me. Something twists in my stomach. A delusional part of me hopes Francesco will come in and bring an end to this.

My heart skips when Dante rises from his seat and storms toward me.

My breath hitches when he grabs my chin roughly and forces my face up to his. “Who is it?” he snarls. “This is the last time I’ll ask.”

I see the fury burning behind his eyes just as I see a shadow of his other hand nearing my face.

“I am the father.”

Marco’s voice cuts through the tense air just as Francesco walks into the room.

20

FRANCESCO

Istop in my tracks the moment I hear it. The words echo through the living room like the clang of a final bell.

“I am the father.”

The door to the living room hangs open. The servants part like water as I step forward. I take note of the looks on their faces. Some are twisted in shock and horror. Others look delighted, like the scene before them is perfect entertainment.

My father is standing before Lia in the center of the room, his firm grip on her jaw. I spot a few aunts, our consigliere, and Elio seated at the front of the room. Marco is standing with a serious expression on his face.

They all turn to look at me as I step into the scene. The moment Marco spots me, he speaks again.

“I love her,” he announces—but he’s looking directly at me.

“The child is mine. And I’ll marry her—if that’s what it takes.”

More gasps erupt as he steps between my father and Lia like some tragic, lying hero.