The doctor handed me my phone.

"It's been ringing nonstop for three days," he said. "Please take care of yourself."

I took my phone and saw several missed calls from my mom including messages and pictures.

Where are you, Liliana? What happened? Your father got you released but the guard said you had an accident. Please call me.

Liliana, your father has done what you asked and you've gotten a new passport. I sent a picture below and mailed the passport to you.

Liliana, I'm worried about you. Your flight has been booked. You leave in two days, call me!

I stared at the screen for a moment, then typed the only thing I could.

Thank you so much, Mommy. I'm fine, just tidying things up here. See you soon.

As I hit send, the door opened and Nadina walked inside with her baby in a stroller.

"Oh, Liliana, imagine my happiness when the doctor told me you're awake," Nadina gushed in a fake cheerful voice. She moved through the hospital room like she owned it, the same way she moved through every room. Two fingertips drifted to the hollow of her throat as she smiled.

I glared at her, my eyes blank. "What do you want?"

"I just brought you lunch. The boys were just messing with you by leaving you there. They didn't know you'd be hurt."

She set down a flask. Pulled out a steaming bowl.

I recoiled. Seafood. She knew I was allergic.

"Leave me alone," I said through clenched teeth. "Before I strangle you."

Her smile turned sharp.

"But I'm not done yet, love. You're not dead."

She leaned in and shoved the plate closer. The smell made my stomach twist.

I swatted it away, reacting on instinct.

The plate shattered as Nadina screamed, staring at her baby in horror.

I turned toward the baby's cries. My eyes fell on a tiny shard embedded in the infant's hand. My fingers froze as I saw the blood on the baby's hand.

And then the door burst open. Giacomo and Pietro staring down at me like I'd just committed murder.

"What's going on here?" Giacomo snapped.

Liliana's POV

Immediately Nadina saw them standing by the door. She ran toward them and clutched Giacomo's hands.

"She hurt baby Angela!" she cried. "I just brought her soup to cheer her up and she threw it away."

"You wanted to poison me. You know I'm allergic to seafood!" I snapped.

"I swear I had no idea, Giacomo," Nadina said, and started sobbing pitifully again.

I scoffed. The fact they fell for her fake tears was pathetic.