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The moment I finished speaking, Claire swept her hair aside, revealing a necklace. "Do you mean this one?"

She was wearing my father's necklace. My mind went blank, and I stared at Matteo in disbelief.

It was the only thing my parents had left me. Years ago, I'd put it around Matteo's neck myself. Now he'd given it to someone else.

Claire panicked and yanked off the necklace. "I'm so sorry. Matteo just handed it to me like it was nothing. I thought it was an ordinary necklace."

She tugged too hard. The necklace snapped, and the beads scattered across the floor.

I went rigid. Matteo's eyes narrowed for a split second. He opened his mouth, but no words came.

I'd told him once that if he ever lost my necklace, I wouldn't want him anymore.

Now the necklace was ruined, and we were over.

Claire immediately crouched down to pick up the beads, looking helpless and hurt. "I'm sorry. I'll have someone fix it..."

I held a hand out to her, my voice completely flat. "Stop. Don't touch it."

The next second, Matteo gripped my arm tightly, his voice stern. "That's enough! Claire didn't mean to do it, and you actually tried to hit her..."

I looked up at him, and the tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over.

When Matteo saw my tears, he let go of me right away.

I sniffled and fought back my grief. "You've got it wrong. It's just an old necklace. If it's broken, it's broken. I can pick it up myself."

Matteo was quiet for a long time. He lowered his head and looked away from me. "I'll have someone fix it. You're still recovering. Go back and get some rest."

I forced a miserable smile and said hoarsely, "Okay."

Back in my hotel room upstairs, I collapsed beside the bed and broke down sobbing.

Rosa, the elderly housekeeper, crouched beside me. "The Don loves you so much. Even if you killed that actress, he'd clean up the mess for you."

I bit down hard on my lip and shook my head.

She wasn't wrong.

After my parents died, I grew up with the Doria family.

For ten years, everyone knew how much Matteo doted on me.

Because I knew how much he doted on me, I made a scene at the engagement party in my last life and even went to Maria to complain.

In the end, I got what I wanted and married him, but I never had his affection again.

It was even worse after Claire died. There was nothing but disgust in his eyes, and the way he looked at me sent a chill through me.

He stopped speaking to me or showing any concern for me, and eventually left me alone at the estate.

While I was pregnant and suffering through morning sickness, he kept a woman who looked just like Claire by his side, and I had to drive myself to my prenatal checkups.

Even when I got into a car accident on the way and lost the baby, all he said, coldly, was, "This is her punishment for getting Claire killed."

I couldn't stand that endless torment anymore, so I shot myself.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Claire leaked Matteo's schedule to his enemies, hoping to land an audition.

I would still take the bullet for him, but I didn't want to love him anymore.

When I snapped out of it, I wiped away my tears and went to see Maria.

I bowed deeply to Maria. "You've always wanted to send one of the Doria girls to New York for a marriage alliance. Choose me."

Maria sighed and clasped my hand between her wrinkled hands. "Since you've made up your mind, I'll respect your wishes.

"The Doria family will send generous gifts. I'll have someone waiting for you at the airport in New York. If anything comes up, call me anytime."

My eyes stung, and I said quietly, "Okay.

"Thank you both for taking me in and raising me for the past ten years. But please don't tell the Don about my move to New York yet."

I knew he would never let me go through with an arranged marriage.

Maria nodded.

"What are you going to New York for?"

My heart clenched at the sound of that familiar voice. I turned to see Matteo pushing the door open.

His gaze was sharp as he approached me. The sheer authority he carried made it hard to breathe.

My heart raced. Without thinking, I took a step back and fought to keep my voice from shaking.

"To get a degree. I have to move on at some point."

Matteo let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're finally seeing things clearly. I'm 15 years older than you. Your father was my mother's adopted son. That means I'll always be your uncle.

"You're still young. You should spend time bettering yourself. The Doria family will always have your back."

I made a small sound of agreement and fell silent.