Chapter 3

Elena's POV

Damian thought for a moment, then nodded good-naturedly.

"Alright. When the day comes, we'll open each other's surprises together. That will make it more meaningful."

I suddenly wanted to see the look on Damian's face.

The moment he learned of my death, and saw the Declaration of Renunciation of Donna Status. Would he be shocked? Stunned? Or would he regret it?

When we returned to Blackwood Manor, Damian walked me back to the bedroom.

I asked him, "Are you still going to handle family matters tonight?"

Damian hummed softly. "There are still some things I didn't finish yesterday. I need to work late tonight."

"Then go." I turned my back to him and lay down, clearly dismissing him.

Damian stood there. He didn't leave. He seemed to have noticed something was wrong. But he couldn't figure out what it was.

Suddenly, I wanted to tease him one last time. So I turned around and looked at him.

"Can you not leave tonight?" Damian visibly relaxed.

I still depended on him. I still wanted him to stay. I still needed him the way I always had, which meant I probably still knew nothing.

Damian smiled gently.

"Baby, everything has already been arranged tonight. There are still many people waiting for me at the family meeting. Next week. I'll give all my time to you next week, okay? "

"Next week?"

"Yeah." He smiled and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Next weekend is our fifth anniversary. Everything they've been preparing at the manor, it's all for you. I want everyone to see that you're the only Donna I'll ever love."

A grand celebration.

I smiled to myself. That would make what came next even more unforgettable.

"Alright. Then go."

"My baby is so understanding." Damian lowered his head and kissed my forehead.

"I'm leaving now. It's almost time. I can't keep them waiting too long."

Was it because he couldn't keep them waiting?

Or because he couldn't keep her waiting?

Damian left soon after.

The iPad on the living room couch began vibrating again.

They were messaging each other once more.

Damian: Are you ready?

The woman quickly sent another photo.

This time, she was wearing a nurse's uniform.

Of course, it wasn't a real nurse's uniform.

Everything that should have been covered was deliberately exposed. Everything that shouldn't have been revealed was intentionally shown.

Damian: Tonight, I'll make sure you're satisfied.

I expressionlessly turned off the tablet.

Then I started packing my things. Clothes, jewelry, bags. And everything Damian had given me over the years.

The gifts that once represented love.

Now, they were nothing more than pieces of a past I needed to erase.

The woman's message came again soon after. This time, it was a photo.

A medical report. The words on it were clear:

Patient: Isabella Rossi

Pregnancy: 4 weeks

My fingers froze. She was pregnant? I stared at the report for a long time. So long that my eyes began to sting.

Isabella: I'm sorry, Donna.

Isabella: Your husband won't be coming home tonight.

Isabella: He's with me for my prenatal checkup.

She deliberately called me "Donna", as if reminding me that she wanted that position too.

Isabella: I forgot to tell you.

Isabella: For the next week, he belongs to me.

Isabella: He promised to take me to Hawaii to celebrate our baby.

Isabella: He's calling you right now.

Isabella: Be prepared, Mrs. Blackwood.

Her final message was filled with provocation.

Almost at the same moment, my phone rang. A name appeared on the screen.

Damian

I took a deep breath and answered.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Something urgent came up with the family. I need to leave town for a while." Before he could finish, I interrupted him.

"Go."

The other end of the line went silent. Damian seemed surprised.

Then he lowered his voice. "Baby, don't be upset. I'll definitely be back for our fifth anniversary. And the wedding ring. I'll put it back on your finger myself during the ceremony."

I stayed silent for a few seconds. Then I asked:

"Damian, do you love me?"

He answered without hesitation.

"Of course. You are the only woman I will ever love in my life."

I let out a quiet laugh.

"If one day, you betray our love. I will leave you, forever."

Damian chuckled softly. Like he was listening to a child throwing a tantrum.

"I won't give you that chance. I'm serious."

"If I ever find out you betrayed me, you'll never find me again in this lifetime."

Damian's smile deepened. His voice sounded like he was soothing a stubborn little girl.

"Baby, how could you ever leave me? As long as you are still Donna, no matter where in the world you run, I will find you."

I looked out at the darkness beyond the window.

Then quietly asked, "What if I'm no longer Donna?"

The other end of the phone fell silent for a second. Then he laughed.

"How could you not be Donna? Alright. Don't overthink things. I truly only love you. I'll come back and be with you in one week."

Ten minutes after hanging up the phone, the agency responsible for my identity erasure sent me a new address. I went there.

A staff member handed me a set of documents.

"Mrs. Blackwood, starting today, this is your new identity."

I opened the file. The name written on the document was:

Eva Moretti

Starting today, there was no Elena Blackwood in this world.

Only Eva Moretti.

The staff member looked at me.

"Ms. Moretti, everything has been prepared. You only need to board the assigned flight according to the plan."

I put away all the documents. Then nodded. "Thank you. I will transfer the remaining payment as agreed."

The staff member hesitated. "Ms. Moretti, there is still one week before the operation. You still have time to reconsider. If you change your mind, we won't charge you anything."

I stood up. Without the slightest hesitation. "No. I won't regret it."