Chapter 2

Amore saw the murderous rage in his eyes. He wasn't bluffing; he would kill her for Samantha, Katarina's stand-in.

A chill ran through her, and her eyes brimmed with grief.

Tony stared at her for a moment, then shoved her aside. He pulled out a tissue and meticulously wiped each of his fingers, even the spaces under his nails. He looked so disgusted, as if he had just touched something vile.

Amore's chest tightened, and breathing felt like a struggle.

She watched him slam the door behind him, then collapsed onto the sofa, tears streaming down her cheeks.

It always hurt to love a man who loved someone else.

But it was worse when the woman he loved was already gone.

The dead would never make mistakes; they only got more perfect and unforgettable with time. That was how Katarina stayed in Tony's heart, and Amore could only live in her shadow.

If she'd had a choice, Amore would've walked away.

But she'd fallen hard for Tony, ever since he carried her from the front of an accident scene years ago. Her love ran too deep to ever be undone.

Amore straightened her clothes. When she lifted her head, her face was calm, with no trace of sadness left.

Then she opened the door and stepped out. Tony was there, standing straight.

"Grandpa's waiting at home," he said, glancing at her.

He then walked off.

Tony followed without a word.

The car moved slowly through the streets. Inside, all that could be heard was the rustle of papers as Tony flipped through them and the soft rhythm of their breathing.

Amore leaned back and let herself enjoy the silence. Moments like this, just the two of them, was rare.

The second they entered the living room, Tony's grandfather,Anton(I) powers , hurried over and pulled Amore into a hug. "Amore,my dear, you're finally here. I missed you so much."

Amore laughed. "I was here two days ago."

"Really? It felt like forever. I was starting to think you forgot about me."

"Okay, my bad. I'll come see you every day from now on."

"That's more like it."

They chatted happily, leaving Tony out of the moment.

Tony was used to it. Amore had always had a way with people.

Just then, the butler, Matthew, came over. "Mr Powers, dinner is ready."

The table was full of Amore's favorite dishes.

Anthon served her a plate, with a the-boned meat on her plate with a smile. "Come on, eat. You've gotten so thin."

"Thanks." Amore took a bite, and nausea instantly hit her. She covered her mouth and gagged.

Anthon's eyes lit up. "My dear, are you pregnant?"

"She's not," Tony said immediately.

Anthon frowned. "You've been married two years. Why wouldn't she be?" He turned to Matthew. "Get a car. Take her to the hospital for a checkup."

"No need," Amore said. "I just had one today. The doctor said it's just a stomach bug."

"Really?"

She nodded. Her period had ended just yesterday. Except for that one drunken night a couple of weeks ago, she and Tony had never been intimate like a real couple.

Anthon let out a long sigh, then turned on Tony. "You're young and healthy. Why can't you give me a great-grandchild? What good are you?"

Tony kept eating, his face blank, like none of it concerned him.

Anthon slumped in his chair, looking frail. "I'm old, you know. Could drop dead any day. If I pass before seeing a great-grandchild, I'll be turning in my grave."

"Don't say that, Anthon," Amore said gently, taking his hand. "It hurts to hear you talk like that."

"You're a good girl. But not everyone's like you. This brat would rather let me die full of regret than lift a finger."

Tony set down his fork and sighed. "Grandpa, you'll live a long life."