Chapter 2

[Let's not get married.]

[Since you’re so set on protecting Rhea, why don't you let her be your Donna instead?]

I lunged forward frantically. "Delete that! Rhea, you can't do this!"

But over and over, my hands uselessly passed straight through her arms.

A split second later, the phone vibrated in her grip.

[Are you serious?] Tobias replied.

A slow, triumphant curl formed at the edge of Rhea’s lips. Without typing back, she tossed the phone onto the couch.

Less than a minute later, the door slammed open. Tobias strode in, his bowtie noticeably crooked. The warmth on his face was entirely gone, replaced by a deep frown.

"Ophelia, what is the meaning of this?"

I remained slumped on the couch, giving no response. Tobias waited for a few long seconds, his expression darkening with every passing moment.

"I already had all the flowers cleared out, and Rhea won't be allowed to change a single arrangement for today."

His jaw muscles clenched and released. When he spoke again, his voice had hardened. "Is that still not enough?"

Rhea’s eyes instantly brimmed with tears. "Tobias, please don't fight with her because of me."

She bit her lip, looking every bit the wronged victim. "It's all my fault. I'll leave right now and apologize to the Donna in front of all the families. Will that make it right?"

She made a move toward the door as if to follow through, tears streaming down her face right on cue.

"Every powerful figure in Sicily is here today. I'll just tell them publicly that I didn't know my place and upset the future Donna so badly she refused to attend her own wedding! As long as she can let go of her anger, my pride doesn't matter."

Tobias had already been visibly frustrated, but hearing her words made his face tighten.

He locked his eyes onto me, his tone dropping low. "Do you really need her to do that in front of everyone before you'll step out there?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

Two years ago, Rhea had taken the seat meant for me. It was a dinner right after a major negotiation, where everyone present knew the seat on the Don's right belonged exclusively to the Donna.

Yet when I arrived, she was already sitting there, sipping from Tobias' glass.

Seeing me at the doorway, she didn't make the slightest move to stand. Instead, she had nonchalantly swirled the wine in her glass.

"I got used to sitting here while you weren't around. You can find somewhere else to sit."

I had looked at her provocative expression with icy coldness, turned around, and walked out.

That night, Tobias stood outside my door all night long to apologize.

When I finally opened the door the next morning, his eyes were bloodshot, and his shirt was terribly crumpled. He had grabbed my hand pleadingly. "You can be mad at me, but please don't shut me out, alright?"

Later, holding me close, he had promised over and over, "From now on, I will make sure you get the respect you deserve."

Just then, someone paused at the doorway—it was the Lombardo family's private doctor.

"What happened to the Donna?"

"It seems she had an allergic reaction."

Dr. Matteo walked over to me, reaching out to check my pulse. A split second later, his eyebrows knit together tightly.

"Why is she so cold?"

Tobias’ expression froze slightly, and he immediately looked up. "Is something wrong?"

Dr. Matteo didn't answer right away, leaning down further to check my face. "How long has the Donna been like this?"

Rhea’s eyes flickered with a hint of panic. "She's just sulking. It hasn't been… long."

Dr. Matteo reached out to check my breathing, but Rhea subtly took a step forward to block him, her expression guarded.

"The Donna isn't in a good mood today. I'd advise you not to cross her."

Dr. Matteo frowned in displeasure. "Please move aside."

Standing to the side, I could only pray helplessly. 'Check my pulse. Please, just check my pulse.'

Just as Dr. Matteo was about to move closer, the phone on the coffee table lit up. The two breakup messages were still displayed right across the screen.

Tobias caught sight of them. His frown deepened, annoyance flooding his face.

"Hold on a second."

Dr. Matteo paused, caught off guard. "But, Don, the Donna's state seems wrong."

"I know." Tobias suppressed his rising temper, his gaze falling back onto my face.

"Whenever she's angry, she likes to give everyone the silent treatment. Plus, she's been exhausted lately. Let her rest."

He paused, adding quietly, "I know her."

My mouth opened, but I could only make silent motions—unable to utter a sound, unable to move a muscle, completely helpless as I watched the scene unfold.

Suddenly, an urgent voice called out from the hallway. "Dr. Matteo! Mr. Vito's chest pain is flaring up again!"

Dr. Matteo hesitated but ultimately responded, "I'll be right back."

The moment the door closed, another voice urgently called Tobias from outside. "Don, we have nineteen minutes before we need to walk in!"

Tobias stood where he was, his brows tightly knitted. After a few tense seconds, he let out a long, heavy breath, walked back over, and crouched in front of me.

"Fine. I lose today." His tone softened considerably. "Once we get back home, you can punish me however you want."

He took my hand in his, his eyes slowly reddening around the rims. "But do you really not want to be with me anymore?"

I stood there frozen, desperate to answer him, but no matter what I did, he could no longer hear me.