Chapter 4

Marco knew better than anyone that I loved him, that I was the last person who would ever cheat. For six years, I'd risked my life for him. We once thought we were each other's only support in this forsaken city.

But now, he didn't hesitate to drag my name through the mud just to justify his betrayal. In his eyes, I was nothing but the dirt he needed to erase.

"Marco, forget this trash. The auction's about to start." Isabella covered her nose as she urged him on.

Marco immediately put on a fawning expression and wrapped his arm around her. He stepped over the blood on the floor before swaggering into the elevator.

They didn't even look back, as if what they'd just crushed wasn't a few ribs but a pile of dirt. I swallowed my murderous rage and helped the on-call doctor wheel Luca into the emergency room.

The red light above the emergency room burned my eyes as I sat on the bench. Just then, my phone vibrated.

The screen lit up with a notification from Marco's social media. In the video, Marco and Isabella were sitting in a private suite at the "Midnight Paradise" auction.

It was the city's most exclusive den of vice. One couldn't even get through the door without connections.

Marco looked flushed with excitement, waving the card I'd given him to pay off his debts as he shouted arrogantly, "Six million dollars!"

Six million, he said? A cruel smile curved my lips as my finger tapped the screen, sending an instruction to freeze the account.

Less than five minutes later, Marco's call came through. The moment I answered, his furious roar blasted through.

"Giulia! You bitch, you locked my card! Why else would it suddenly decline?

"Unlock it right now! Cash out that money from the agreement and get your ass to Midnight Paradise to pay my bill!"

I let out a cold laugh.

"Marco, did you get kicked in the head? We broke up. That's my breakup money. Why the hell would I use it to clean up your mess?

"Besides, that card is mine. You've been living off me this whole time, and I haven't even settled that score yet. Why would I pay for you now?"

"Cut the crap!" Marco's voice warped with fear. Clearly, the security guards had already surrounded him.

"I'm the Benedetti heir! This is pocket change! Once I officially take over the family tomorrow, I'll pay you back ten times... no, a hundred times over!

"If you don't come, I'll have someone kill that little lover of yours in the emergency room!"

Was he really threatening me with Luca?

I lowered my eyes to the crimson glow above the emergency room door and spoke softly into the phone, my tone so gentle it would send chills down anyone's spine.

"Marco, if you're really the mafia heir, then use your life to pay your debts.

"Oh, and a friendly reminder. Black market organ harvesting doesn't use anesthesia. It's going to hurt."

I hung up. The cold light from the phone screen reflected on my emotionless face. I took a deep breath and dialed that top-secret number.

"Papa, I want to come home."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then came the reply. "Come home, figlia mia. It's time you returned."