Chapter 1

Leone Donato walked in, followed by his personal stylist and two Soldati.

His gaze swept over the ring I had taken off and left on the table, yet he didn't ask why I had removed it.

"Our engagement party is tonight." Leone came to stand beside me, his fingertips brushing lightly over my shoulder. He continued gently, "Behave yourself, and don't let anything go wrong."

"Leone." With the prenuptial agreement laid out before me, I looked up at him. "Why is Shadowbough, the organization I founded, being put under Camilla's name?"

Leone's gaze fell on the section I had yet to sign. For a moment, a flicker of discomfort crossed his eyes.

The terms on that page were clear.

First, all my personal income after marriage would remain my own. I could live on the family estate, but I would never be allowed to have any say in family affairs.

Second, the intelligence organization I had founded, Shadowbough, would be transferred entirely into Camilla Conti's name.

Four years of our relationship had been reduced to two cold, impersonal terms.

There was no trace of panic on Leone's face. Instead, he simply raised a hand and gently smoothed the stray strands of hair at my temple.

"Camilla just returned to the country, so she needs Shadowbough as a safeguard. Besides, the dark side of the family is too cruel. I don't want to drag you into it."

I turned my head away to avoid his touch.

When he saw that I remained silent, his brows drew together slightly. "Isola, I always thought you didn't care about these things."

"I used to think so too."

Leone failed to catch the meaning behind my words and merely pushed the fountain pen toward me.

"This family is complicated, and the contract is just a formality. Becoming the Donna doesn't mean you have to get involved in all the bloodshed and violence."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice softening with a note of reassurance. "All you have to do is stand by my side and leave the rest to me."

His voice was gentle and alluring, yet my mind had never been clearer.

"Once you sign, the engagement becomes official. Nothing in our lives will change."

That meant I would continue living in the estate under his name, bearing the title of Donna in name only, and be summoned to his side only when he had the time to spare.

So, this was the future he had promised me.

A knock sounded at the door, reminding us that it was almost time for our scheduled appointment at the marriage licensing office.

Leone reached out to straighten the shawl draped over my shoulders, his movements almost tender.

"Don't make a scene today. Once we've signed the papers, there's still a party to attend. All the family elders will be there. If you have any grievances, we'll deal with them after the party."

I stared at my own reflection in the mirror—my face was deathly pale.

In a daze, I recalled the night four years ago when I had given up my offer from a research institute for Leone.

He had held me just like this and said, "Isola, I'll never let you regret this."

But when the day finally came that I truly regretted it, he thought I was just throwing a tantrum.

I stopped arguing and said, "Fine."

Leone's expression softened, as though he had always known that all it took was a slight darkening of his expression for me to eventually give in.

He left with his entourage, and as I watched his retreating figure, my vision blurred.

Two years ago, a rival family had ambushed Leone. When a bullet came hurtling toward his heart, I threw myself in front of him and took the shot meant for him.

As a result, I lost the baby I was carrying.

As I lay fighting for my life, he held my wounded body in his arms and swore that he would spend the rest of his life making it up to me.

How ironic. The security he had promised me had ultimately been placed in a trust fund for Camilla.

After Leone left, I locked the door from the inside.

A new email had arrived on my phone. My professor, Enzo Ferrante, had replied.

"The position in the research group is still available. However, the project has already begun, and you must arrive in Zurevia to complete your registration within the next 72 hours. Isola, this is your last chance."

I stared at the words "last chance" for a long time. Then, I booked a plane ticket.

This time, I refused to lose myself for Leone again.