[Content warning: scenes of miscarriage]
Amelia's body shook as she retched, the stress and exertion of her escape taking its toll. When the nausea finally subsided, she wiped her mouth with a trembling hand and struggled to her feet. She couldn't afford to rest here; she was still too close to the Vatican.
Amelia's heart raced as she saw the guards spot her. With a burst of adrenaline, she pushed herself up and started running, her wet clothes clinging to her body. The shouts of the guards echoed behind her as she darted into the narrow streets of Rome.
She ran blindly, taking random turns in an attempt to lose her pursuers. The cobblestone streets were slick under her bare feet, and more than once she nearly lost her balance. Her lungs burned, and her legs felt like lead, but she forced herself to keep moving.
As she rounded a corner, Amelia collided with someone, nearly knocking her off her feet. Strong hands steadied her, and she looked up into the face of a hooded figure. For a moment, her heart leapt with hope - could it be Ezio? But as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she realized it was Cesare Borgia.
Amelia's blood ran cold as she stared into Cesare's dark eyes. His grip on her arms tightened painfully as a cruel smile spread across his face.
"Well, well," he purred, his voice low and menacing. "What do we have here? A little bird trying to fly the coop?"
Amelia struggled against his hold, but her exhaustion and the weight of her pregnancy made her efforts futile. "Let me go," she hissed, her voice trembling with fear and anger.
Cesare's eyes raked over her body, lingering on her swollen belly. "I don't think so, my dear. You carry something far too precious to let slip away so easily."
Cesare's grip tightened as he pulled Amelia closer. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as he whispered, "You've caused quite a commotion, my dear. Father is most displeased."
Amelia struggled against his hold, but her wet clothes and exhausted body betrayed her. "Let me go," she gasped, her voice weak even to her own ears.
Cesare chuckled darkly. "Oh no, I don't think so. You see, you're far too valuable to us now." His hand drifted to her swollen belly, caressing it possessively. "Carrying my child...or is it the Assassin's? Either way, this little one is the key to everything."
"It's not yours," Amelia spat, trying to twist away from his touch. "This child belongs to Ezio and me alone."
Cesare's eyes flashed dangerously. "Are you so certain of that, my dear? Do you not remember our little encounter before your capture? I assure you, I left my mark."
His words sent a chill down Amelia's spine. She shook her head in denial, but a seed of doubt had been planted. Could it be possible? No, she refused to believe it.
"You're lying," she hissed, renewing her struggles against his iron grip.
Cesare laughed, a cold sound that echoed in the narrow alley. "Believe what you will, but the truth remains. This child could be mine as easily as it could be the Assassin's. And that, my dear Amelia, makes you and your precious cargo all the more valuable."
Cesare's hand slid from her belly to her waist, pulling her flush against him. Amelia's heart raced as she felt his body pressed against hers, her wet clothes doing little to shield her from his heat.
"Let's not waste this opportunity," Cesare murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. "After all, we have some unfinished business, don't we?"
Amelia's mind reeled with panic and disgust. She tried to push him away, but her arms felt weak and useless against his strength. "No," she gasped, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Please, don't do this."
Cesare's laugh was low and menacing. "Oh, but I think you'll enjoy it, my dear. You certainly seemed to last time, before we
Cesare's hand slid from her belly to her waist, pulling her flush against him. Amelia's breath caught in her throat as she felt his arousal pressing against her.
"Perhaps we should recreate that night," Cesare murmured, his lips brushing her ear. "Just to be sure."
Panic surged through Amelia as Cesare's intentions became clear. She thrashed wildly, trying to break free of his grip. "No! Get off me!"
But Cesare was too strong, easily subduing her weakened body. He shoved her roughly against the alley wall, pinning her with his weight. His hand found her throat, squeezing just enough to make breathing difficult.
"Now, now," he chided, his eyes dark with lust and cruelty. "Is that any way to treat the potential father of your child?"
Amelia's heart raced as Cesare pressed her against the cold stone wall. His grip on her throat tightened, making it difficult to breathe. She clawed desperately at his hand, but her weakened state made her efforts futile.
"Please," she gasped, tears stinging her eyes. "Don't do this."
Cesare's cruel smile widened as his free hand roamed her body, roughly groping her through her wet clothes. "Oh, but I think you'll enjoy it, my dear. Just like last time."
Amelia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the horror of what was happening. She thought of Ezio, of the child growing inside her. She had to fight, had to find a way out of this nightmare.
With a sudden burst of strength, Amelia brought her knee up sharply between Cesare's legs. He grunted in pain and surprise, his grip on her throat loosening. Seizing the opportunity, Amelia shoved him away with all her might.
Cesare stumbled back, doubling over. "You little bitch," he snarled, his face contorted with rage and pain.
Amelia didn't wait to see if he'd recover. She turned and ran, her bare feet slapping against the cobblestones. Her lungs burned and her legs felt like lead, but fear and adrenaline propelled her forward.
She could hear Cesare's angry shouts behind her, spurring her to run faster. She darted down narrow alleys and winding streets, trying to lose him in the maze-like layout of Rome.
As she turned the corner, her heart raced with fear and adrenaline. Suddenly, a guard appeared before her, his bulk blocking her path. She braced herself to push past him, but he was quick to react, grabbing her wrists in a tight grip. With all her strength, she pulled away from him, feeling the sharp sting of his fingers digging into her skin. The sudden force caused her to stumble and lose her footing, causing her to collide with the hard surface of a nearby wall. Pain exploded through her head as she fell to the ground on her side, disoriented and shaken. Her vision blurred as she struggled to regain control of her body.
Amelia's head throbbed as she lay on the cold cobblestones, her vision swimming. She could hear heavy footsteps approaching and knew she had to move, but her body refused to cooperate.
Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through her abdomen. Amelia gasped, her hands flying to her swollen belly. No, no, no. This couldn't be happening.
Another searing pain ripped through her, more intense than the first. Amelia bit back a cry of pain, tears streaming down her face. Something was wrong. She had landed on her side with nothing to cushion her swollen stomach.
Through the haze of pain, Amelia saw Cesare's boots come into view. His laughter echoed in her ears as he crouched down beside her.
Amelia curled into herself, desperately trying to protect her unborn child as another wave of pain washed over her. She could feel warm liquid trickling down her thighs and her heart filled with dread.
"Well, well," Cesare's mocking voice cut through her panic. "It seems our little escapade has had some unfortunate consequences."
He reached down, roughly grabbing a fistful of Amelia's hair and forcing her to look at him. His eyes glittered with cruel amusement as he took in her tears and obvious distress.
"Such a shame," he tsked. "And here I was looking forward to continuing our earlier activities."
Amelia tried to pull away from his touch, but another wave of excruciating pain seized her body. She cried out in pain, unable to hold back the sound.
"Please," she gasped between ragged breaths. "The baby..."
Cesare's eyes narrowed as he took in Amelia's condition. For a moment, a flicker of concern passed over his face, quickly replaced by cold calculation.
"Guards!" he barked. "Bring a physician immediately."
Amelia barely registered the flurry of activity around her as guards rushed to obey Cesare's command. The pain was all-consuming, each wave more intense than the last. She could feel warm liquid pooling beneath her and knew with sickening certainty that she was losing the baby.
"No, no, please," she whimpered, her hands clutching her belly. "Not my baby..."
Cesare knelt beside her, his face a mask of false concern. "Now, now, my dear. Let's not be hasty. Perhaps all is not lost."
flinched away from Cesare's touch, her body wracked with pain and fear. She could feel warm blood pooling beneath her, each contraction bringing fresh agony. Through her tears, she saw a flicker of genuine concern cross Cesare's face before his expression hardened once more.
"Guards, where is that physician?" he barked, his voice echoing off the stone walls.
Amelia's vision blurred as another wave of pain crashed over her. She cried out, her hands clutching desperately at her belly. Her cries turned into that of laughter and she looked up at her captor. "Is this where you draw your cruel line Unborn children?"
Cesare's eyes flashed dangerously at Amelia's words. "You mistake my concern, my dear. This child is far too valuable to lose, regardless of its parentage."
Amelia's laughter turned to sobs as another contraction seized her. She could feel her strength ebbing away with each passing moment. The warm pool of blood beneath her was growing larger, and a deep, primal fear gripped her heart.
"You lie to yourself Cesare. You fear God's wrath at what you have caused." she whimpered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cesare's eyes flashed with anger at Amelia's words. He grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to look at him. "You know nothing of my fears or motivations, woman. This child could be the key to uniting our families, to ending this pointless conflict. I will not let it slip away so easily."
Another wave of pain wracked Amelia's body, causing her to cry out. She could feel herself growing weaker with each passing moment, the blood loss taking its toll. Through her tears, she saw genuine concern flicker across Cesare's face before his mask of cruelty slipped back into place.
"Where is that damned physician?" he roared, his voice echoing off the stone walls.
As if summoned by his fury, an older man in simple robes came hurrying down the alley, a leather satchel clutched in his hands. The physician rushed to Amelia's side, his weathered face creased with concern as he took in her condition. He knelt beside her, gently pushing Cesare aside.
"My lady, I need you to try and remain calm," the physician said softly, his hands moving to examine her swollen belly. "Can you tell me how far along you are?"
Amelia tried to focus through the haze of pain. "About... about four months," she gasped.
The physician's frown deepened. He turned to Cesare, his voice low and urgent. "My lord, we must move her immediately. She needs proper care if there's any hope of saving the child."
Cesare nodded curtly. "Do what you must, but ensure both mother and child survive."
The physician called for a stretcher, and Amelia felt herself being lifted. The movement sent fresh waves of agony through her body, causing her to cry out. As they carried her through the winding streets, Amelia drifted in and out of consciousness, the pain and blood loss taking their toll.
She vaguely registered being brought into a dimly lit room and placed on a bed. The physician worked quickly, his weathered hands gentle but firm as he examined her. Through the fog of pain, Amelia heard snippets of conversation.
"...severe hemorrhaging..."
"...risk to both mother and child..."
"...may need to choose..."
Cesare's voice cut through the haze, sharp and commanding. "Save them both. I don't care what it takes."
Amelia felt a cool cloth on her forehead as the physician prepared his instruments. She whimpered, her hand reaching out to the physician. He took her hand and got close to her ear.
"Amelia Tessaro, I swear on my life I will do everything I can to preserve your life. Your father was a great friend to me and he would roll over in his grave if I allowed you to die. You can always make another baby." The doctor whispered in her ear.
Amelia's eyes widened at the physician's words, a glimmer of hope piercing through her pain and fear. She squeezed his hand weakly, managing a small nod of understanding.
The next few hours passed in a blur of agony and fevered dreams for Amelia. The physician worked tirelessly, his experienced hands moving with practiced precision. Cesare paced the room like a caged animal, barking orders and demanding updates.
Through it all, Amelia drifted in and out of consciousness. In her lucid moments, she prayed - for herself, for her unborn child, and for Ezio. In her delirium, she saw visions of him, reaching out to her with anguish in his eyes.
"Ezio," she whimpered, her hand reaching out to grasp empty air. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
Through it all, one constant remained - the searing pain that tore through her body in relentless waves. Every slight movement felt like it would tear her apart, and Amelia found herself praying for unconsciousness, for an end to the agony.
At some point, she became aware of a new presence in the room. Through half-lidded eyes, she saw Rodrigo.
"No…no…no…get away…Ezio…help me…please." She pleaded into thin air. The doctor looked from her to Rodrigo who stood at the foot of her bed, his face a mask of concern as he conferred quietly with the physician.
"Father," Cesare's voice cut through the haze of Amelia's pain. "What are you doing here?"
Rodrigo turned to his son, his expression grave. "I came as soon as I heard. This situation is far too delicate to leave in your hands alone, my son."
Cesare bristled at the implied criticism, but before he could retort, Amelia let out an agonized cry. The physician rushed back to her side, his weathered hands moving with practiced efficiency.
"My lords," he said urgently, "I need space to work. Please, step outside."
Rodrigo nodded curtly, ushering a reluctant Cesare from the room. As Rodrigo and Cesare left the room, the physician turned his full attention to Amelia. Her face was pale and drawn, her eyes glazed with pain and fear.
"Stay with me, my lady," he murmured, gently wiping her brow. "You must be strong now."
Amelia whimpered, her hands clutching at her swollen belly. "Where is Ezio? I need him…he needs to be here…"
The physician's expression was grim as he prepared his instruments. "He isn't here, my lady. Your life is in grave danger, I need you to try and lay as still as you can."
Tears streamed down Amelia's face as another contraction seized her body. She cried out in agony, her back arching off the bed. The physician worked quickly, his hands steady despite the urgency of the situation.
Amelia felt herself slipping away, the pain becoming distant as darkness crept in at the edges of her vision. The physician's voice seemed to come from far away as he called her name urgently.
"Stay with me, Amelia. You must fight."
She wanted to respond, to tell him she was trying, but her body felt impossibly heavy. As her eyes fluttered closed, Amelia saw Ezio's face, his warm brown eyes filled with love and concern.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I tried to be strong..."
The darkness enveloped her, and Amelia knew no more.
When she next opened her eyes, the room was bathed in soft morning light. For a moment, Amelia was disoriented, unsure of where she was or how much time had passed. As awareness returned, so did the memories of what had happened. Her hands flew to her abdomen. Flat and covered in bandages she started to panic.
Amelia's heart raced as she felt her flat stomach, panic rising in her throat. What had happened? Where was her baby?
The door opened and the physician entered, his face lined with exhaustion. When he saw Amelia was awake, he hurried to her bedside.
"Easy now," he said gently, helping her lay back against the pillows. "You've been through quite an ordeal."
"My baby," Amelia whispered, her voice hoarse. "What happened to my baby?"
The physician's expression was grave as he took her hand. "I'm so sorry, Amelia. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to save the child."
Amelia felt as if all the air had been sucked from her lungs. She shook her head in denial, tears streaming down her face. "You're lying! Bastardo! You LIE!"
Amelia's anguished cries echoed through the room as she thrashed on the bed, her grief and anger overwhelming her. The physician tried to calm her, but she pushed him away, her fists pounding weakly against his chest.
"No! No, it can't be true!" she sobbed, her voice raw with emotion. "My baby... my child..."
The door burst open and Cesare strode in, his face a mask of irritation. "What's all this commotion?"
The physician turned to him, his expression grim. "She's just learned about the child, my lord. Her reaction is... understandable."
Cesare's eyes narrowed as he took in Amelia's distraught state. For a moment, something like regret flickered across his face before his usual cold mask slipped back into place.
"Leave us," he ordered the physician.
The physician hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave his patient. But under Cesare's stern glare, he bowed his head and quietly exited the room.
Amelia barely registered the exchange, lost in her grief. She curled into herself, her body wracked with sobs. The pain of loss was a physical ache in her chest, threatening to consume her entirely.
Cesare approached the bed, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room. "Enough of this hysterics," he said, his voice cold and commanding. "The child is gone. There's nothing to be done about it now."
Amelia's eyes blazed with fury as she glared at Cesare. "How dare you speak so callously about my child's death. A death you caused!"
Cesare's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch your tongue, woman. You forget your place."
"My place?" Amelia spat, her grief transforming into white-hot rage. "My place was with Ezio, carrying our child to term. You stole that from me. You murdered an innocent!"
In an instant, Cesare was at her bedside, his hand gripping her throat. "I said, watch your tongue," he growled, his face inches from hers. "That child could have been mine as easily as the Assassin's. Its loss is... regrettable. But you, my dear, are still very much alive and capable of bearing another."
Amelia struggled against Cesare's grip, her eyes blazing with fury and grief. "I would rather die than bear your child," she spat, her voice raw with emotion.
Cesare's eyes darkened dangerously. His grip on her throat tightened, cutting off her air. "That can be arranged, my dear. But it would be such a waste."
Just as spots began to dance in Amelia's vision, the door burst open. Rodrigo strode in, his face thunderous. "Cesare! Release her at once!"
Cesare reluctantly let go, stepping back from the bed. Amelia gasped for air, her hand going to her bruised throat.
Rodrigo approached, his expression a mix of concern and calculation as he looked at Amelia. "My dear, I am truly sorry for your loss. This tragedy was... unexpected."
Amelia glared at Rodrigo, her eyes still blazing with anger and grief. "Unexpected? This 'tragedy' was caused by your son's cruelty and your own scheming. You kept me prisoner, treated me like nothing more than a vessel for your ambitions. And now my child is dead because of it."
Rodrigo's expression hardened. "Watch your tone, girl. You are still our guest, and you would do well to remember that."
"Guest?" Amelia laughed bitterly. "Is that what you call a prisoner now? How very generous of you."
Cesare took a menacing step forward, but Rodrigo held up a hand to stop him. The Pope's eyes never left Amelia as he spoke. "Your situation is... unfortunate. But it need not be permanent. You are young, healthy. There will be other children."
Amelia saw red, she lunged at the Pope, with no weapon other than her fingernails and she was determined to crush his eyes. Her fingers clawed at his face, aiming for his eyes. "You monster!" she screamed. "I'll kill you!"
Rodrigo stumbled back, caught off guard by the ferocity of her attack. For a moment, chaos reigned as Amelia's nails raked across the Pope's cheek, drawing blood.
Cesare reacted quickly, grabbing Amelia and roughly yanking her away from his father. She thrashed in his grip, her fury giving her strength she didn't know she had.
"How dare you attack the Holy Father!" Cesare roared, shaking her violently. "I should have you executed for this!"
Amelia's fury reached a boiling point, her hatred for Cesare bubbling over. Without a second thought, she spat in his face, uncaring of any consequences that may follow. "Do it then!" Her voice was harsh and trembling with emotion. "Kill me, just like you killed my child." A long string of curses erupted from her mouth, fueled by years of pent up rage and pain. Cesare's hands grabbed hold of her roughly, throwing her back onto the bed with a force that knocked the breath out of her. But he wasn't finished yet. With a snarl, he raised his fist and delivered a brutal punch to her already battered body, causing stars to explode behind Amelia's closed eyes as darkness consumed her for a brief moment.
Amelia's head snapped back from the force of Cesare's punch. Pain exploded across her face as she tasted blood in her mouth. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the anguish in her heart.
"Enough!" Rodrigo's voice cut through the chaos. He wiped the blood from his cheek, his eyes cold as he regarded Amelia. "This changes nothing. You are still valuable to us, with or without child."
Amelia glared at him through swollen eyes. "I will never help you," she hissed, spitting blood on the floor at his feet. "I would rather die."
Rodrigo's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Oh, my dear. Death would be far too easy. No, you will live. You will serve our purposes, whether you wish to or not."
He turned to Cesare. "Take her back to her cell. Ensure she's given proper care to recover. We can't have her dying on us now."
Cesare nodded, his face a mask of barely contained rage. He roughly grabbed Amelia's arm, yanking her off the bed. Pain shot through her body at the sudden movement, but she bit back a cry, refusing to show weakness.
As Cesare dragged her from the room, Amelia's mind raced. She had lost everything - her freedom, her child, her hope. But as they moved through the corridors of the Vatican, a cold determination settled over her. She would find a way out of this. She would murder the entire Borgia family, if it was the last thing she did.