I drew a slow breath and forced the sting behind my eyes back down.
My thumb brushed the bare space on my right ring finger where the jade had sat moments ago. The skin was still warm from it.
I didn't explain. I didn't lose my temper.
I lifted my hands, reached behind my neck, and unclasped the Pink Diamond Necklace.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone in the room, I held it out to Olimpia.
"You like it? Then it's yours. I lost my footing just now. I'm sorry."
Domenico went rigid.
A flash of disbelief crossed his eyes, and his brow furrowed deeper than before.
Olimpia froze too. She even forgot to keep crying.
I pulled out a handkerchief, wiped the wine from my hands, then crouched down.
I picked up the shards of glass from the floor one by one, bare-handed, and dropped them into the trash bin nearby.
When I was done, I stood and looked at Domenico.
"My clothes are stained. I'm going upstairs to change."
I turned and walked toward the second floor, my spine perfectly straight.
His gaze stayed glued to my back the entire way.
Back in the bedroom, I shut the door.
I leaned against it and closed my eyes.
Seven years of devotion. Today, that chapter was finally over.
The phone on the nightstand lit up.
An encrypted message from Russo Valente.
"Giuliana, the flight route has been approved. The Valente Family's security detail will arrive in the Capital in three days. Whatever the Corrados owe you, I'll make them pay back tenfold. A hundredfold."
I stared at the message. My eyes burned with heat.
My fingers drifted to the bare space on my right ring finger where the Matriarch's ring had sat for years. The skin there was smooth, lighter than the rest. I pressed it once and let my hand fall.
The bedroom door swung open without warning.
Domenico strode in on those long legs, his sharp gaze locking onto the phone in my hand. Two of his soldiers stood in the hallway behind him, eyes forward, pretending they hadn't followed him up.
He crossed the room in three steps and snatched it away.
The screen went dark at that exact moment.
He didn't try to unlock it. He tossed it onto the soft carpet like it was nothing.
Then he reached out and gripped my chin, forcing my face up toward his.
"Downstairs just now. Why didn't you put up a fight?" His tone was probing, almost suspicious.
I met his eyes. My voice was flat, without a single ripple of emotion.