The sleek black car cruised through the sun-dappled countryside, heading toward the grand Anderson estate nestled in the hills of Italy. Nancy sat in silence, her light purple dress gently brushing against the leather seats. Giovanni sat beside her. He was back in his casual clothes and looked much similar to the man she had found on the hills. Giovanni's posture was relaxed as if the weight of the world didn't sit on his shoulders. But Nancy knew better. Every casual glance, and every subtle smile of his, masked his dangerous intent. The car slowed as they approached the estate's iron gates. The guards were quick to step forward, but their faces changed the moment they recognized Nancy. The lady who had been ruling the house for weeks now. Without hesitation, they waved the car through.

As they drove in, Nancy glanced out at the vine fields that stretched toward the horizon. They were eerily quiet, with no workers tending to them. The house, usually bustling with life, had an air of melancholy. A few cars, unfamiliar with various regional number plates, were parked in the driveway—a sign that visitors had already gathered to pay their regards. Nancy's stomach churned at the thought. These were Damon's people, possibly even his closest allies. They had likely already heard the news.

When the car rolled to a stop, a man dashed forward, opening the door for her before Giovanni's chauffeur could even move. Nancy stepped out gracefully, her gaze briefly flickering toward Giovanni, who followed her lead and exited the car. Despite the sombre mood, Nancy knew her role. In front of her staff, she had to play her part in Giovanni's plan. She offered him a small smile and said, "Please, Giovanni, won't you join me for tea inside?"

Giovanni nodded, his expression respectful. "I'd be honoured and would like to meet the man who had won at life." Nancy had to admit his humour was sickening.

They walked together toward the house, and as they entered the grand foyer, a butler immediately appeared. His face was etched with sorrow.

Before he could speak, Nancy interrupted. "Where is Damon?" Her voice was firm, masking the dread pooling in her chest. She could smell the mourning in the air but had to play her part.

The butler hesitated, his lips parting to deliver the news, but his expression conveyed the answer before his words could. Just as he was about to speak, another voice cut through the tension.

"Nancy."

Nancy turned to see Selena, Robert's wife, approaching from deeper within the house. The look of sympathy and pain on Selena's face was unmistakable.

"Selena?" Nancy stated skillfully while inquiring, "Did my disappearance get you here? I am really sorry to get you worried. Look at me. I am all safe..."

Selena reached out to pull Nancy into a comforting hug. Nancy hugged her back and hoped for the first time that Selena never said anything about Damon's death. Or this all comes out to be a piece of fake news to get her out of that hell hole but Selena gasped pulling her even more into a hug when she told him. "Oh, Nancy...Damon is gone. I'm so sorry."

The words hit Nancy like a cold wave. For a moment, her world tilted. She had braced herself for it, but hearing it spoken aloud felt like being ripped apart all over again. She leaned into Selena's embrace, seeking warmth, comfort—anything to dull the agony.

After a moment, Selena pulled back. Her expression shifted from sympathy to something more pressing. "Where were you?" She asked with her voice tinged with urgency. As if she had to convey this news to others too in an instant. "Your disappearance—Nancy, it was one of the reasons this tragedy happened. Damon was frantic. You have to tell a lot of people where were you. I know this is not the time for you but..."

Nancy stiffened glancing at Giovanni. Even though she had prepared for it. Her voice was failing her. Her limbs were giving up on her. Giovanni stepped forward smoothly. His voice was laced with sorrow and fabricated concern. "I found her by the water, unconscious. It looked like she had been through something terrible, so I had her treated by my private doctors. It was only when she woke and told me who she was that I brought her back here."

Selena's face softened, and she nodded with clear gratitude. "We owe you a great deal for saving her. Thank you," Giovanni nodded with a small smile and offered, "I am glad I was of help." He waited for Nancy to announce something so Giovanni could stay around longer but Nancy remained quiet. It was obvious to Giovanni that she wanted him to leave her alone but he couldn't do this. He didn't know to what extent Nancy could go. But upon realizing Nancy wouldn't say a word he retired, "I will take my leave from here then,"

Selena nodded while their butler walked beside him to see him out.

Nancy didn't respond to Giovanni's departure until she was sure he had left. Giovanni's raging engine informed of his departure and only then did Nancy hold Selena's hand with her trembling ones. "Where is Damon's body?"

Selena hesitated. "Robert sent it away for funeral preparations. I haven't seen him yet either." Selena knew that Nancy and Damon didn't have any love for each other. Even though Nancy wasn't allowed to marry anyone after him Selena would like to believe that without Damon in the picture, Nancy's life would be a lot better.

"Are you...are you convinced that Damon is dead?" Nancy asked and Selena looked at him. "I am sure. Or there was no way Robert would have called me and asked my daughter and I to be here."

Nancy's heart dropped. Even the faint, desperate hope that Damon might still be alive shattered into dust. She turned toward Selena, trying to keep her emotions in check. Selena noticed something, a flicker of awareness in Nancy's expression, "What happened, do you want to say something?" Nancy shook her head realizing she couldn't trust Selena and Robert too. They would kill her brother if they realized the truth about Giovanni.

"Nancy, are you ok?" Nany looked around. While coming here she was hoping that Damon would be waiting for her. But there was no one waiting for her. Damon was dead. And, she was to blame for it.

"Nancy?..." Selena's voice seemed to be coming from far away and before Nancy could take hold of it her world went dark, and she collapsed into unconsciousness.

.

.

.

Nancy awoke with a groan. Her body was heavy with fatigue. Selena was by her side, telling her to stay calm. As Nancy's vision cleared, she noticed a doctor standing nearby, packing up to leave.

"What happened?" Nancy rasped, panic threading through her voice.

Selena hesitated for a moment, then spoke gently. "Nancy, you're pregnant."

The world tilted again, but this time, it was fear that seized her heart. Giovanni's words echoed in her mind—he would kill every last Anderson. Desperately, she grabbed Selena's hand. "No one must know. Please, you can't tell anyone about the baby."

Selena's brow furrowed. "Nancy, you don't trust Robert? You think he would harm the child?"

Nancy's throat tightened. Selena was right. Nancy couldn't afford to trust anyone, not even Selena. Robert's newfound position of power after Damon's death made him dangerous. But if she told Selena the truth—that Giovanni was the real threat—she would only drag her brother, Ken, in front of Andersons and they wouldn't show him any mercy. To save her baby she couldn't blow her brother's cover.

"This is not the truth, I do trust you and Robert." Only now, Nancy was recalled of Robert. The world she had known was greedy for power and influence. She knew Robert would feel challenged by a child who hadn't even taken his first breath. She had to do something about Robert too. She didn't care about strengthening her relationship with Robert. Even though it was expected of her so Robert could offer her more estates to secure her future. But all she wanted to do was save her unborn child now. Even if it meant to keep Robert away from his rightful claim. She couldn't care any less at this point.

Nancy steeled herself in front of Selena and lied with a half heart. "I don't want this child. Damon? He gave me nothing but pain. I can't bear to have his child, knowing what kind of man he was. If it's a boy, he'll be just like him. I have to end this pregnancy somehow." Nancy hoped that after realizing that she herself wanted to end this pregnancy Robert wouldn't make plans to harm it. Nancy had decided that she would hide this boy until he wasn't capable of looking after himself.

Selena's eyes widened in shock. "You can't mean that! What will your purpose be, Nancy? You can't remarry. You'll have nothing left. At least, this child can give you a reason to live. It can support your claim to be the boss's mother in the future. You can't be this stupid..."

Nancy swallowed. Her mind was racing. She needed a plausible story, something that would explain her decision without arousing too much suspicion. "Giovanni? The man who saved me. He seems well off. He has shown his interest in me. If I rid myself of this child, I could start over. Maybe I'll marry him and live a quiet life in the hills. Away from all of this."

Selena looks at her horrified. "Did you say what I hear you say?" Selena asked.

Selena was aware that no girl could be in love with Damon and Nancy was no exception. But this situation was harrowing.

Nancy held her hand and tried to look like a crazy girl who couldn't understand the outside world. "I know you will help me with this. You are a woman too." But Selena looked at her hand for a moment before she jerked back.

"You think Robert would allow that? That I would? We won't let you marry Giovanni and tarnish the family's name. You chose this life when you married Damon." Nancy noticed hatred in Selena's eyes. She knew that Selena wouldn't have to fake any kindness from now on. The more Nancy would remove the need for other people to pretend around her, the easier it would be to realize their true intentions.

Selena stood up to leave and raised a brow warning her. "Nancy, think this through while you can."

Nancy didn't answer but her acting had served its purpose. It would keep Selena from prying further into her true intentions. She had given Selena something she could believe in.

After Selena left, Nancy allowed herself to wreck into worry. She threw the pillow across the room. Only when she knew she had her plate full she was given this baby to bring up. And, not just anyone's baby. It was Damon Anderson's baby. She could tell she only knew about Giovanni and Robert who could want to kill her baby. While there were many unseen beasts coming for him. The ones she won't be able to tell apart. So, the only thing that could save her child from perishing was the news of his death. The baby inside her was now the only thing she had left to call her own. And, she couldn't let it go.

Too bad she lacked moments to be happy for this new phase of her life. Because she could already imagine many coming to kill for her. So, this little one never gets the chance to live. If Selena would tell Robert that she wanted to kill this baby he would never come after her.

Nancy slowly walked to the window. Her face was hardened as much as her soul. Her eyes could view the lands so far from here. Only the hills at the distance were the limitation. "I will burn this whole world if I have to. I will use every inch of my being to keep you safe. This is my promise to you." She slowly caressed her belly before telling her baby. "Even you aren't allowed to destroy yourself."

As night fell Nancy let herself think it through. She wanted to unleash every horror imaginable over this estate no matter the consequence.

A maid knocked at her door and Nancy looked at her in suspicion. She wonders if this woman is already working for Robert. Though Robert had always presented himself as someone loyal to Damon. Nancy knew better than to believe another soul. All of this power could cloud anyone's brain.

"Lord Damon has arrived. I mean his body. I am sorry for my mistake..." The news took Nancy by surprise. She was so lost worrying about the life growing inside her that she forgot it was her last chance to ever hold Damon's hand.

Nancy recalled how that man got the news to Giovanni. Damon died looking for her. First, it was her father who gave up on his life to give her a chance at living. And, now her husband. It looked like a curse that she had to live with her whole life. But all of this has brought her to this moment. To her own blood. And, she won't let her father and husband's sacrifice to waste. Her blood would rise no less than a phoenix to rule with an iron fist.

Nancy walked down to the grand hall. Her heart was racing. She wanted to believe that all of this is a dream. And, she wasn't alone and on her own to raise her baby. But with each passing second this horrible news was turning into a reality.

Her shoulders were heavy with the fact that she would never have Damon around to protect their child. A glass coffin was laid out before her eyes. Nancy smiled recalling Damon quoting how they started on the wrong foot. No matter how much she suffered at his hands today she admits that his hate and love knew no bounds. He was one passionate man. Nancy was slowly walking to him and was trying to prepare herself to smile. She couldn't send him away with tears.

Nancy inhaled sharply when she looked at Damon's face. He looked cold and lifeless beneath the transparent lid. His skin had turned grey and his lips were cracked, as if all life had long since drained from him. There seemed to be a kind of pain on his face. Nancy hated how they had his coffin closed shut already. She could only place her hand on the glass and gulp. He was dressed in his finest suit; the Anderson family emblem was pinned to his suit.

Robert was standing nearby. His expression was unreadable. He didn't acknowledge Nancy's presence and didn't even offer any words of solace or greeting. The power in the room shifted palpably, and Nancy knew Robert was a threat, just as much as Giovanni. Robert hadn't given her any reasons to not trust him. But he hasn't given her any reasons to trust him either. And, for Nancy, it was enough from now on.

Stepping forward Nancy looked into Robert's eyes before asking him as if she owned him. "When is the burial?" Her voice had a surprising authority. Anyone in the room could swear Nancy made them feel something darker just by her voice.

Robert's cold eyes flickered toward her. "Tomorrow," he answered curtly.

Nancy's gaze shifted to the little crowd. She knew every one of them held the power. She recognized Dario and believed others standing with them would be other regional representatives. Without a formal start, she announced, "I'm pregnant with Damon's child. If anything happens to this baby, it will be because of his uncle, Robert. And, for that, he would pay with his head." Her words hung in the air, and every man in the room knelt, acknowledging her as the mother of the future Anderson heir.

"His blood runs into me. I am your only supreme authority until I deliver him safely." Nancy added before allowing them to get up.

Robert looked at her for a moment before he walked out at once. After he left, she announced that the event arranged by Robert for the next month would be cancelled because it stands invalid with the arrival of their true leader now.

Later that night, after the estate had quieted, Nancy slowly walked to the phone. She grazed the handle for a moment before she chose the destruction of everything she ever was.

"Can I talk to Giovanni? I am Lady Anderson speaking?" Only a moment later she heard Giovanni say, "Of course, Mrs. Anderson,"

"Thank you for everything. I would like to invite you to my husband's funeral tomorrow," Nancy invited him with a calculative tone.

Giovanni, ever the strategist, picked up on her signal. "Of course. I'll see you then."

Nancy knew she shouldn't say another word because someone could have been listening to her call in her own home. There were enemies everywhere. The realization that she needed strong allies was growing fast but even then, she knew no one could ever replace Damon.

The next day, Nancy stood dressed in black as Damon's coffin was lowered to the ground. Giovanni was watched by the crowd of the other guests. He perfectly played the role of the gracious saviour who had returned the estate to their lady. After the service, Nancy walked away to her car but got alert when someone knocked on her car's window as she prepared to leave the cemetery.

"Invite me inside," he said, his voice smooth and dangerous.

Nancy's lips curved into a careful smile. "Come in."

As the car rolled away, Giovanni asked, "So, what's your plan, Nancy?"

She glanced at the driver, noting that he was one of Giovanni's men. "I've taken control of Damon's estate. Everything is in place."

Giovanni raised a brow. "And the child?"

Nancy's heart raced, but her voice was steady when she rested her hand on Giovanni's. "I'll take care of it." One thing was certain. Giovanni had his men under her roof.

Giovanni got out when they reached their estate. He seemed to be conversing with everyone there just fine. It seems nobody knew his identity as Rossi's family's representative and he had another plain identity of a real estate advisor. He knew many people from the neighbourhood in fact he had owned the hills for quite a time now.

All of the guests left. Nancy stood there to accept their goodbye nod. No one was allowed to touch her hand or come share a hug with her. Giovanni too followed the rules and bid his farewell. But Nancy did notice his cunning smile.

Nancy's estate felt eerily quiet as the night deepened. Shadows were dancing against the walls of the grand mansion. Giovanni entered his old home. His steps were assured as if he already owned the place. Nancy had dismissed the staff already for the evening. She let him in by calling the gate. And, for the first time, Giovanni entered the space as if he owned it again after all those years. Walking inside the house Giovanni too made a promise to himself that he would not stop there.

He knew Nancy was alone and waiting for him. He knew she would offer him more than the wine tonight. The estate outside the home was drowned in the dark and the whole house was only dimly lit leaving only him and Nancy, along with the weight of Giovanni's ambitions for this night.

Nancy was dressed in a delicate silk nightgown. She stood by the window while the moonlight cast a pale glow on her face. She seemed fragile with her demeanor a little submissive. She looked like a shattered shell of a doll. Completely broken by the events of the last few days perhaps.

Giovanni approached her. His expression was one of predatory calm. But Nancy could feel the weight of his raw intentions. She asked herself if she had it in her to burn the night as she had planned.

"How have you planned it?" Giovanni asked, his voice was low and dripping with satisfaction. He had been waiting for this moment—the chance to end the Anderson legacy, to kill Damon's unborn child through Nancy's own hands.

Nancy nodded, her eyes downcast, and drew the picture of a defeated woman. "I'm ready...I can't carry this weight any longer," Nancy whispered with her voice trembling showcasing her despair. Even the thought of killing her child was a crushing one. She reached for the small vial of white powder and mixed it into her drink. The glass clinked softly in the quiet room making Giovanni smile.

"What's this?" Giovanni asked,

"It would cause strong contractions and unload me off any of his traces." Nancy moved her long finger into the drink. Not allowing Giovanni to raise another question Nancy looked at him and smiled walking to him. "I could have done it alone. But then I decided to keep you here. They say times of pain make you go stronger with your partner." Nancy continued with her voice growing even softer, "I want you to witness it..." Nancy guided him to the sofa that wasn't far from the place they were standing. Nancy continued leaning to his face. "...and, be it the moment where I would announce my loyalty to you." Her gaze was pleading, as though she relied on his strength to carry her through such a weak moment of hers.

Giovanni, satisfied by her surrender, nodded, and pulled her wrist to get her to sit beside him. "You made the right choice. This child...would have been nothing but a curse on thousands," Giovanni added reaching out to cup her chin. "Drink it and prove your loyalty to me."

Nancy smiled resting the glass on her lap momentarily as she spoke, "It is nothing, believe me. I will prove my loyalty to you whenever you would want it. I have realized that I can't afford this weakness. I want your strong hands, Giovanni. If you want to build a future with me. My safety certainly lies only with you,"

Nancy's hand trembled slightly as she raised the glass to her lips, but before she could drink, Giovanni stopped her. "Let me," He said with a grin. He took her glass and tipped it towards her lips as though savouring the moment of his triumph. "Let me be the one to ensure it's done."

Nancy's throat constricted as the liquid slid down, her expression one of subtle grief as Giovanni watched with satisfaction. To him, this was the final act of control—destroying Damon's bloodline while acquiring Nancy as his. He had secured the most difficult step.

But Giovanni, ever cautious, wasn't done. "Now, drink from mine," he said lifting his glass. His gaze was sharp to measure Nancy's emotions at the task. "I trust you, Nancy but only a fool would drink without testing his guest's loyalty." Nancy narrowed her eyes looking at him. "Do you not trust me?" Giovanni didn't reply and still had the glass extended to her mouth.

Nancy was ready to give him anything he would ask tonight. It was one of the most special nights in Giovanni's life. And, in hers. Keeping her expression steady, she smiled weakly and reached for Giovanni's glass. Her fingers brushed against his as she brought it to her lips. She took a long, deliberate sip, swallowing as if committing to him for the rest of her life.

Giovanni's eyes never left her face. They remained busy searching for any sign of treachery, but Nancy showed none. "Good," Giovanni murmured pleased with himself. He lifted his glass to his lips and downed the rest of the wine without hesitation.

Nancy's fingers tightened slightly around her glass as she watched him drink. Her eyes widened slightly as he set the empty glass down. The air in the room felt heavier as a smug grin crept across Giovanni's face.

Nancy held her breath and forced a smile. Nancy got her hand on his chest but Giovanni was quick to guide Nancy to sit on his lap.

Nancy followed his lead but remained a little stiff. Caging her in his arms Giovanni leaned back, satisfied. "We'll make a powerful team, Nancy. With Damon gone, and no male heir...the Andersons are finished. I will soon kill Robert."

"About that? I have already made arrangements for that," This got Giovanni's attention.

"What?" He was shocked,

"Yes," Nancy smiled,

"I have made sure that his favourite kind of wine only has one bottle on the plane. And, it has something interesting that I have put in there. If his wife would prefer her husband to enjoy the wine. She would let him have it all on his own."

Giovanni took a moment before asking, "Poison? You chose poison for him. What if..."

"What can I say? A sword is a man's weapon. But poison is woman's." Giovanni thought about it for a moment before he asked, "What kind of poison?"

"It's plant-based. It would cause severe allergic reactions. It won't let him breathe and would stiff his muscles to certain death in fifteen minutes." Nancy leaned closer and held Giovanni's face which was going red. Perhaps, with excitement because in the next moment, he could be heard saying, "Only today Damon is buried and now his son and his cousin will follow him soon. I knew you were something." He was about to pull Nancy closer but inhaled sharply when the door burst open.

Nancy jumped looking behind her back and there stood Damon on the doorframe. His eyes stopped to take notice of what those were unfolding. Nancy stared at the muscular built who was already striding in. He looked exactly like Damon. His presence commanding as always. He was Damon, her husband. He wasn't dead. She wasn't alone. Her baby wasn't on his own.

Nancy was startled and turned to face him fully. Her heart skipped a beat. For a brief moment, she feared Damon's wrath. She was worried he would think she had betrayed him. She hurriedly got off all the while asking, "Is this you? Then, who was..." Nancy hardly took a few steps in his direction and Damon had already swooped her off the floor.

She was engulfed in his embrace. "How much time does he have left?" Damon whispered in her ear. His voice was dark and steady. And, though there were thousands of questions swirling in Nancy's existence she gulped hard pressing Damon more into her embrace.

"Not long," Nancy finally whispered back. Her voice was still not steady. "Not long at all."

"What are you talking about?" Giovanni who was shocked, at the events that rolled out in a flash tried to speak but soon realized that his body had swollen a little from all over the place.

A sudden stiffness began to creep into Giovanni's limbs. His confident expression faltered. Confusion was flickering across his face. The realization that he has lost is evident in his eyes. But there was no one to witness it. Damon and Nancy both had their eyes closed while their hands were busy measuring the existence of their loved ones.

Giovanni tried to speak, but the words came out slurred. His throat was tightening.

All of a sudden, Damon drew his gun out and asked Nancy. "Is he the one who got you away from me?"

But Nancy was quick to push his wrist down all the while coming to face him. "You will not shoot him." But seeing that Damon was about to push her away Nancy held his neck with all her force. "Look, at me. He is a finished job. I have done this job so you better look at it." Nancy's voice was so loud that Damon looked at her dumbfounded.

"What did you say?"

"I said what you hear. I finished him. He is my killing. You cannot shoot at him and make it your killing." This made Damon look at her for a moment. Both could hear Giovanni twitching on the floor but their eyes remained fixated on each other.

He was struggling to breathe and move his body but there was something else going on in the room too.

"You want to kill a human? It is no easy job. Not a woman's job. Would you be able to sleep at night knowing you killed someone?" Damon questioned making Nancy come even closer to him.

"I have killed an enemy." She whispered against his lips. "...someone who dared to cater for the thought of killing my child. No one kills my child. Not even you," Nancy leaned closer and initiated her first kiss.

Damon pulled her in and kissed her for long. He kissed her as long as Giovanni's dying body made any sound. Or Damon knew he wouldn't follow Nancy's wish. This one was taken down by Nancy and he wouldn't take it from her.

After the room fell into silence they both pulled away. Damon had his arms around Nancy while Nancy only stared into his eyes. "Look at him now," Damon ordered but Nancy shook her head.

"How did you know that I didn't cheat?" Nancy questioned and this made Damon smile.

"Why do you want to know all about it now? Do you have any idea how many hours it has been passed since I last held you in my arms."

"Who knows it better than me?" Nancy whispered and shared a kiss with him again. Damon pulled away and told her. "We can talk all about it tomorrow. For now, all I want..." But cutting him off Nancy held onto his shoulders and asked,

"Was Robert with you on this plan?" This made Damon narrow his eyes. A faint smile played on his lips as if he had a lot he wanted to share with his wife about this little prank but right now he only wanted her to shut up and make love with him. "Why do you want to know everything just now?" Damon asked making Nancy smile.

"I can wait. But your cousin can't. He could have been...poisoned as we are talking here."