The rain hadn't stopped since that night.
The sound of thunder echoed through the mansion as if the sky itself was mourning. Elena lay in Lorenzo's arms, her skin pale but her heart still beating softly against his chest. He had finally gotten her back — after the lies, after the war, after nearly losing her forever.
For the first time in a long time, he felt peace.
But peace, in their world, never lasted.
"Elena?" he whispered, brushing his fingers against her cheek.
She smiled faintly, eyes fluttering open. "Hmm?"
"I was just making sure you're real," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
She giggled softly. "You worry too much."
He chuckled under his breath. "You scare me too much."
He got up to pour her a glass of water, but when he turned back, she was holding her stomach, her face suddenly twisted in pain. The glass fell from his hand, shattering across the floor.
"Elena?" he called, his voice breaking.
She didn't answer — she gasped, her hands trembling as blood stained the white sheets beneath her.
"ELENA!"
He rushed to her side, lifting her into his arms. Her lips were trembling, her breathing sharp and uneven.
"Lorenzo…" she whispered, her voice weak, "it burns inside… my chest… my baby…"
He looked around frantically, shouting for his men.
"Matteo! Marco! Get the damn car! Call the doctor — now!"
Within seconds, chaos filled the house. Guards rushed in, shocked by the sight of their boss holding his pregnant wife, covered in blood. Lorenzo didn't wait for the car to stop before he jumped in, cradling her in his arms.
"Elena, stay with me. Please, baby, stay with me," he pleaded, brushing her hair from her damp forehead.
Her head rolled weakly against his shoulder. "Lorenzo… the wine… it tasted strange…"
His heart dropped. "Wine? What wine?"
Her eyes fluttered half open. "Your maid brought it… said you ordered it for me…"
He froze. Rage mixed with terror. Someone in his house — his home — had poisoned her.
"Don't talk, love. Save your strength."
He kissed her forehead, tears falling as the car sped through the rain.
When they reached the hospital, doctors rushed toward them. Lorenzo shouted, begged, cursed — anything to keep her alive. Nurses wheeled her away as he tried to follow, but one of them blocked him.
"Sir, you can't go in there—"
"She's my wife! My damn wife!" he roared, his voice echoing through the corridor.
But they closed the doors, leaving him staring through the small window — powerless.
He slammed his fists against the wall, pacing like a caged animal. His men stood frozen behind him, afraid to speak. The air was thick with fear and guilt.
"Find out who brought that wine," he growled. "Now. I want names. I want faces. If anyone in my house had a hand in this, they'll beg for death before I'm done."
Minutes turned into hours. The rain outside turned into a storm. He couldn't sit — couldn't think — every sound made him flinch.
He remembered how she smiled that night, how she kissed him like it was the first time all over again.
And now she was behind those doors, fighting for her life.
At some point, he found himself praying — something he hadn't done since he was a boy.
"God… please. Don't take her. Take everything else, just not her."
Finally, after what felt like forever, the door opened. The doctor stepped out, his face drawn and heavy with something that made Lorenzo's stomach twist.
He rushed forward. "How is she? How's my love doing? How's the baby?"
The doctor didn't answer immediately. He took a breath, eyes filled with the kind of pity that made Lorenzo's knees weak.
"Mr. De Luca," he said quietly, "the baby or the wife?"
Lorenzo froze, his throat closing. "What do you mean?"
The doctor sighed. "The poison was strong — something designed to kill both mother and child. We're doing everything we can, but if we save one, we may lose the other. You need to decide — now."
Lorenzo staggered backward, shaking his head. "No… no, you can't ask me that… you can't make me choose between them."
"I'm sorry, sir. But time is running out. We need your decision."
Tears blurred his vision. His chest felt like it was being crushed. He could still hear Elena's soft voice — Lorenzo, promise me you'll protect our child… even if something happens to me.
He fell into a chair, gripping his hair. "God, why are you doing this to me?"
"Sir, please," the doctor pressed gently, "we need an answer."
He lifted his head, eyes burning red. "Save her. Save Elena. Please."
The doctor nodded solemnly and hurried back into the room.
Lorenzo dropped to his knees, his hands covering his face. The hall was silent except for the sound of rain hitting the glass windows.
Minutes later, his men returned, breathless.
"Boss — we found her father's men near the estate. They're gone, but one of the guards confessed. The maid who served the drink was paid off — by your stepmother-in-law."
Lorenzo's blood boiled. His fists tightened until his knuckles cracked.
"She did this," he said through gritted teeth. "She wanted revenge."
Before anyone could respond, the operating room door opened again. The doctor came out, blood on his gloves, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Mr. De Luca…"
Lorenzo stood instantly. "Tell me she's alive."
"She's… stable," the doctor said carefully. "We managed to neutralize most of the poison, but…"
"But what?"
"The baby… didn't make it."
For a second, everything stopped.
The rain, the lights, the noise — it all went silent.
Lorenzo's lips parted, but no sound came out. The doctor placed a hand on his shoulder, but he pushed it away violently.
"Get out," he whispered. "Get out!"
He turned to the window of her room. Elena was lying still, pale and fragile. Machines beeped softly beside her, keeping her alive.
He entered the room slowly, every step heavier than the last. Sitting beside her, he took her hand, kissing her fingers.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I couldn't save both of you."
Her eyelids fluttered open, her eyes glazed with tears. "Lorenzo… the baby?"
He swallowed hard, his throat tight. "Rest, my love. Don't talk."
"Tell me…" she pleaded weakly.
He shook his head, tears falling onto her hand. "It's okay, Elena. Just rest."
She cried silently, turning her face away. "It's my fault… I let my guard down…"
"No," he said firmly, cupping her face. "It's mine. I should have protected you. I failed both of you."
He kissed her forehead, staying by her side as the machines beeped in rhythm with her heartbeat.
Outside the hospital, lightning split the sky in half — a warning that war was coming again.
And this time, Lorenzo wasn't going to show mercy.