Chapter 1
My husband, Cassian Vasari, finally called after three days of me not showing up at his office to make a scene.
His voice came through the line, carrying a rare trace of satisfaction. "Looks like you finally understand that the Family's rules aren't just for show.
Since you've learned your lesson, I'll give you the pass to Larkspur House. And stop making a fuss over every little thing where Delphine's concerned."
I didn't answer. Just looked down at the bloodstains still dried between my thighs.
No one believed that I, as the don's wife, had to apply to Delphine just to get into Larkspur House for my own pregnancy.
All because Cassian decided I wasn't fit to handle Family affairs and handed all of my authority over to her.
Three days ago, my baby's heartbeat grew unstable. I submitted another application. Delphine rejected it on grounds of incomplete paperwork.
I lost my baby.
I replied, my voice flat. "Okay. Thanks." He didn't know. That was my final answer.
Tomorrow, I was leaving for good.
Evening fell, and Cassian came home. He walked in with his shoulders loose, clearly in a good mood.
"See? That wasn't so hard." His voice even softened, which was rare. "You behave, and I won't be stingy with you. Here. Your pass for Larkspur House."
Larkspur House. The Family's private medical estate, with its own obstetrics wing and emergency team. Three days ago, it was the only place that could have saved our baby.
It was the only place because of Cassian's own rule. Years ago, one of his men had been attacked in a hospital ward, and Cassian had laid down the law that night: nobody in the Family, least of all his wife, set foot in an outside hospital. Larkspur or nowhere.
He set the pass on the table in front of me, a cream envelope stamped with the Larkspur crest. "At next month's Founders' Winter Gala, I'll put you back in charge."
I lowered my eyes and didn't reach for it.
Cassian took that as me still sulking. He explained, with forced patience:
"Pulling your access to Larkspur was my call. Delphine was just following orders. You have no reason to take it out on her. You stormed into that conference room, played the boss's wife card, and tried to make her skip procedure. Of course I had to remind you how things work."
He reached out and patted my head, like he was soothing a pet that had finally learned its place.
"But you've owned up to it, so we're done here."
I didn't flinch. I didn't argue.
If Cassian had just listened three days ago, maybe I'd still be putting up with all of this for the baby I was carrying.
But he hadn't.
Every tear I cried in that conference room meant nothing next to Delphine's calm, reasonable defense.
"Mrs. Vasari has an irregular fetal heartbeat, and she wants to skip every approval step to get into Larkspur? Beds and specialists are allocated monthly, and they're limited. As consigliere, I can't break the rules just because of her title."
I gripped the edge of the conference table. The cramps in my stomach tightened with every wave, but I tried to get the doctor's diagnosis out.
"Cassian, the doctor said the baby's heartbeat is already..."
"Enough."
He cut me off, frowning.
"Every time Delphine turns down one of your requests, you blow it up like it's life or death?"
Delphine dropped her eyes, her voice soft and wounded.
"Boss, I'm not trying to make things hard for Mrs. Vasari. But if I bend the rules because of who she is, the Family will think you play favorites."
Whatever patience Cassian had left, that killed it.
"Do what Delphine says."
For seven years, that was the answer I got every time I questioned her.
I was the boss's wife in name only. I had no real power. My schedule, my gowns, my security detail, even my car, everything went through Delphine first. My driver wouldn't start the engine without her signed authorization. My guards wouldn't move past the gate without her approval.
And she always found something new to smile about.
"You forgot to put down a time. Please resubmit, Mrs. Vasari."
"That dress isn't appropriate for the event. Please reapply."
"Your guard count doesn't match the updated plan. Please revise and come back."
She sat on every request until the last possible minute. Then she smiled sweetly while I scrambled, flustered and desperate.
And when something went wrong, Cassian blamed my poor time management and praised Delphine for never slipping up.
This time was no different.
The doctor told me the baby's heartbeat was fading fast. To save him, I had to get to Larkspur right away.
I tried the garage first. The driver wouldn't take me without a travel authorization. So I ran to the conference room.
Delphine just smiled and slid my application back across the table.
"Your format is wrong, Mrs. Vasari. I'm afraid I can't sign off on this."
I kept revising. She kept rejecting.
Finally, clutching my stomach, I begged her to just let me through. I swore I'd fix the paperwork afterward.
She picked up the phone and told Larkspur's security to keep the gates shut.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Vasari." Her eyes curved into crescents. "Larkspur belongs to the whole Family. Everyone follows the rules. As consigliere, I'm responsible to the Family. I hope you understand."
And I ran out of time.
By the time she finally signed, blood was already soaking through my clothes.
The baby was gone.
That night, I couldn't even scream. It felt like a blade was carving my chest open, over and over.
"What are you wearing to the Gala next month?"
Cassian's voice dragged me back to the present.
I looked at his eager face. Inside, I laughed, silent and cold.
He didn't know. Nothing here could hold me anymore.
Three hours. That was all I had left.
"Whatever. Anything works," I said flatly.
Cassian looked caught off guard. He studied me for a moment, a small frown forming.
"Still sulking, sweetheart?" He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "How about I come pick one out with you?"
I was about to turn him down when the butler hurried in.
"Boss. Mrs. Vasari. Ms. Crane is here to see you."
