Chapter 4

"Let go of me! Giovanni, you bastard!"

I struggled violently, kicking and clawing.

Lina rushed over. The two of them forced me into the back seat together. Duct tape was slapped hard over my mouth as my wrists and ankles were bound tightly.

"Mmm!"

I glared at Giovanni, hatred blazing in my eyes.

Lina took her time admiring my humiliation. Then, her gaze dropped to my finger.

"Tsk. Even if it's just a high-grade imitation, that's real gold." She laughed and ripped the ring straight off my finger.

"It's mine now. I'll melt it down later and make myself a new necklace, perfect to match my diamond bracelet."

She deliberately lifted her wrist and shook it.

"Elena, does this bracelet look familiar? I made it from the decorations I tore off your veil."

I stared at her, my eyes burning red. The image of my veil being defiled filled me with murderous fury.

Catching my expression in the rearview mirror, Lina clutched her chest in exaggerated fear.

"Oh, dear! Don Rossi, I'm terrified! Is Elena still angry about what happened seven years ago?"

Giovanni started the car. His voice was cold and flat.

"What right does she have to be angry? Even if I was late that day, it wasn't an excuse for her to run from the wedding."

Late?

When was he not late?

Yet, when had I ever made a scene because of it?

The car sped forward. As the estate hosting the summit drew closer, I felt myself grow strangely calm.

Once I saw Rafael, everything would be resolved.

The car stopped at the gates of the manor.

Giovanni dragged me out roughly, tearing the tape from my mouth.

"Behave. Try anything stupid, and I'll toss you into the water to feed the fish."

He hauled me into the banquet hall.

It was still early. There were not many guests yet.

He dragged me to the Rossi family's section. The moment he let go, I turned to leave.

"Where do you think you're going?"

He grabbed my arm immediately.

"To my seat."

"Your seat?"

I raised my hand and pointed to the very center of the hall: the Bellini family's place.

Giovanni's face darkened instantly.

"Have you gotten addicted to playing pretend?"

A representative from a nearby family noticed the commotion and looked over, curiosity written all over his face.

"And who might this be?"

Lina immediately pointed at me and shouted, "A fraud trying to impersonate the Bellini family's Donna and seduce our Don!"

In an instant, every gaze in the room locked onto me.

"Today is the first time Don Bellini is bringing his Donna into public. What is she trying to do?"

"Is she trying to humiliate the entire Southern Mafia in front of the Bellinis?"

"Don Rossi! Is this woman yours?"

Giovanni fell silent for a few seconds. Then, he shook his head slowly.

"No."

With that single denial, Lina grew bolder.

"You heard him! The Rossi family doesn't acknowledge you, traitor! Get out!"

She grabbed a glass of red wine and splashed it over me, then shoved me hard.

"Argh!"

I lost my balance and hit the floor. A sharp, twisting pain exploded in my lower abdomen.

"Everyone, take a good look!" Lina shouted, holding up the ring. "This woman betrayed the Rossi family. Today, I'm cleansing our house!"

She threw the ring to the floor and stomped down on it viciously.

"No! Stop!"

I screamed in despair, lunging forward to protect it.

She snarled and deliberately crushed my outstretched hand beneath her heel.

"Argh!"

The sickening pain of bones breaking tore a scream from my throat. I watched helplessly as the golden ring, symbol of the Bellini family's honor, was twisted completely out of shape.

Lina let out a satisfied breath and waved at the bodyguards.

"Throw her out."

They moved immediately.

"I am Don Bellini's…" I shouted hoarsely, struggling.

Lina kicked my already agonizing abdomen hard.

"What are you? His mistress? His side piece?" she sneered. "And you think you're worthy?"

She picked up the crushed gold fragment and slapped it against my swollen, bleeding cheek.

"Take your trash and get lost."

Humiliation and pain made my entire body tremble.

I had to make her pay.

"Enough."

Giovanni walked over and crouched in front of me, holding out the card again. His expression was conflicted.

"Stop this. Apologize to Lina. Take the money and leave."

"I don't apologize to the dead."

"You!" Giovanni flew into a rage and barked at the guards, "Throw her out!"

"Don Rossi! Don Bellini has arrived with the young master!"

The servant's panicked voice cut through the hall.

Every guest immediately straightened, turning toward the entrance.

Giovanni shoved me under a long table draped with a tablecloth.

"Let go of me! I want to see my husband and my child!" I struggled desperately.

The doors opened slowly.

A tall, cold, commanding figure stepped inside, holding a little boy's hand. All eyes in the hall turned toward them.

The boy suddenly seemed to hear something. He lifted the tablecloth with a small hand and stared straight into my battered, disheveled face.

"Mamma!"