Giovanni’s POV

I stood there, watching them — laughing, whispering, touching — like I was invisible.

Mark and Stephanie. My husband and my replacement.

She had her legs draped over his lap, her laughter floating through the air like music. He was massaging her feet — the same hands that once promised me forever.

Eric sat nearby, munching on apples, watching cartoons like nothing was wrong. A perfect little family. Just without me.

I turned to leave before my heart exploded, but the butler rushed out.

“Mrs. Leonardo, sir said to call you in.”

For a moment, I couldn’t move. My chest tightened.

Who among them wanted to see me?

But I walked in anyway.

The laughter stopped the moment I entered. Stephanie smirked; Mark didn’t even look up.

“Stop right there,” he said sharply.

I froze.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I didn’t answer. My hands trembled, but I kept my chin up.

He tilted his head, cold eyes sweeping over me. “So you’re just going to let my son starve? He’s been eating fruits all day. Get in the kitchen and cook something for him — for all of us.”

I let out a soft laugh. “There are maids, Mark. You can ask one of them.”

He slammed his hand on the table. “You know he gets sick if someone else cooks! Do you want him dead?”

I took a deep breath. “Then maybe teach your new woman how to cook for him. I’m done with this. Expect divorce papers soon.”

For a moment, silence. Then his hand was around my throat — hard, unrelenting.

“I guess I’ve been too gentle with you,” he hissed. “Who told you you could leave me?”

I shoved his hand off. My voice came out hoarse but steady.

“Who said I’m doing forever with you?”

Eric jumped up from the couch, face twisted with anger.

“Just go already! I hate you! Can’t wait for Daddy to marry Aunty Stephanie!”

“Eric,” Stephanie said sweetly, pretending to scold him. “Don’t say that. You’ll break your poor mother’s heart.”

“She’s not my mother!” he yelled. “She’s evil. She’s a murderer!”

The words hit harder than the slap that followed.

I laughed bitterly, my voice breaking. “Then your wish will come true soon. You can all be one happy family.”

“Eric, go to your room,” Mark ordered.

He ran upstairs.

I turned to leave, but Mark stepped forward, blocking my path.

“Since you’re so desperate to go,” he said coldly, “let me help you.”

He looked at Stephanie.

“Beat her up.”

For a second, I thought I’d misheard.

But Stephanie stood, stretching her neck with a smirk.

The first blow landed on my jaw. The second knocked me to the floor.

I tried to fight back, but she twisted my wrist until it popped.

Pain exploded through my body. My vision blurred. I could taste blood.

Then — the sound of the door slamming open.

A group of men stormed in. One man stepped forward, tall, calm, radiating danger. His voice was deep — almost too calm.

“Wonderful,” he said. “You’re really here, Stephanie. Cheating on me with this pup?”

Stephanie froze. Her confidence vanished in an instant.

“It’s not what you think, sweetie,” she stammered.

He didn’t even look at her. He shoved her aside like she was nothing.

Mark tried to speak. “Sir—”

“Shut up.” His tone was cold enough to cut glass. “You’re stealing from me now?”

Mark paled. “No, Don, it’s not like that—”

Don.

That word made the room tilt.

For the first time, I saw fear in Mark’s eyes. Real fear.

The man stepped closer, scanning the room until his gaze landed on me — still bleeding, still trembling on the floor.

He stopped. His expression changed.

“You…” he said quietly. “Giovanni Scofield.”

I froze. How did he know my name?

He stared for a moment longer, then smiled — not kindly, but like someone who had finally found something valuable.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”