~Salvatore's POV
My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn't care enough to soften it.
"Enough," I said, looking across the table. "No one speaks about her like that again."
Mom's expression tightened immediately. Gianna went still, and Livia paused, fork halfway to her mouth.
I didn't look away from them.
"She is carrying my heir," I continued, voice steady now, colder than before. "And I will not repeat myself on this."
A heavy silence settled.
It wasn't just quiet. It was the kind of silence that pressed against the walls, like even the house itself understood the line that had just been drawn.
My mother opened her mouth like she wanted to challenge it, but something in my face must have stopped her, because she didn't.
Gianna lowered her gaze slowly, like she was thinking too much about things she shouldn't be thinking about.
