“You gave me two girls,” her husband said before ordering her beaten—but days later, a Mafia boss made a promise that terrified him.

When Elena woke up, she was lying in a king-sized bed covered in silk sheets inside a warm, sunlit bedroom.

The scent of clean cotton and mahogany filled the room. Her body was tightly bandaged, and intravenous fluids were dripping into her arm.

She panicked instantly. "Clara! Sofia!"

"They are safe, Elena."

Elena turned her head quickly. Salvatore Moretti sat in a high-backed leather armchair beside the bed, holding a small baby bottle, gently feeding Sofia while Clara slept peacefully in a custom double bassinet right next to his chair.

The sight was so unbelievable that Elena stared in complete shock. The most feared mob boss in New England was expertly burping a newborn baby.

"You... you're holding her," Elena murmured, her voice raw.

"She was hungry an hour ago," Salvatore said smoothly, setting the bottle down and resting Sofia against his chest. "I have three younger sisters, Elena. I know how to handle a baby."

Elena let out a sob, burying her face in her hands as tears spilled over her cheeks. "Marco said... he said they were useless. He said girls brought no honor to a family."

Salvatore’s eyes darkened, turning to cold green ice.

"Marco Romano is a fool who does not deserve the breath in his lungs," Salvatore said coldly. "A real man protects his blood, regardless of gender. In my family, women are the backbone of our strength."

He set Sofia gently down beside her sister, then walked over to the side of Elena’s bed. He handed her a hot cup of tea.

"My doctor examined you while you were unconscious," Salvatore revealed, his voice dropping into a dangerous register. "Three broken ribs, a concussion, severe tissue damage, and internal bleeding. If you had stayed in that house another night, you would be dead."

Elena swallowed hard, gripping the teacup. "What will Marco do when he realizes I'm gone?"

"He has already realized it," Salvatore replied with a dark, ruthless smile. "In fact, he called a meeting with the family council an hour ago, claiming his wife ran off with his money and children."