He Chose My Cousin,I Chose His Rival

I saved Marco Vitale from a trap. The night that followed made me the woman he hated most. After the doctor confirmed the drugs had worn off, I stayed with him. We slept together. His marriage to my cousin Bianca was supposed to secure our families’ port alliance. When word got out about us, my father proposed that I take her place. Marco agreed in front of the senior men from both families. Behind closed doors, he made his feelings clear. “Drug me, then get your father to force a wedding. Well played, Elena.” I’d loved him for ten years. I actually believed that, once we were married, I could make him see the truth. I hadn’t drugged him or arranged that fire. I’d just been the idiot who couldn’t bear to leave him there. On our wedding night, he left the vows we’d signed behind and went straight to my cousin. Three years later, Bianca returned from Palermo with a little boy who had Marco’s gray eyes. He picked up the child in front of me and promised to make her the real Mrs. Vitale. I handed him my ultrasound. He turned it facedown without looking. “Bianca and her son are moving in. I want you out by tomorrow.” The next morning, I fell on the stairs while his men were clearing out my things. I began to bleed. They took me to the family clinic, but Marco stayed with Bianca. When the doctor called, he said not to interrupt them again. A hospital transfer came too late. Neither my baby nor I left that clinic alive. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the guest suite at that engagement party, three years earlier. Marco’s hot hand was on my waist, pulling me toward him. Last time, I’d stayed after the doctor left and spent the night. This time, I got him somewhere safe and called my cousin. “Your fiancé needs a doctor. Come get him, sweetheart. He’s all yours.”