Chapter 3

Sofia's POV

When I was taken in by the Calderoni family, I had almost nothing.

Back then, I was living on the streets. The only thing I had managed to keep with me was a pair of diamond earrings my Mama had left me. I didn't have a single cent to my name.

I ran errands for people in exchange for food, only to have it stolen by another street thug. I fought back with everything I had, beating him until his face was swollen and bruised. Blood stained the snow beneath us.

That was when Matteo appeared.

He ordered his men to drag me in front of him. He said I was aggressive and had what it took to join his family.

Once I became part of the family, my talents quickly became apparent.

I untangled the family's complicated financial records spanning several generations. In no time, I brought every account into order. I also managed the household staff so well that everyone, from the butlers to the maids, fell in line.

The day Matteo's Padre stepped down and handed over control of the family to him, he confessed his feelings for me. I'd thought we'd spend the rest of our lives together, living peacefully and loving each other.

But now, it was all coming to an end.

Matteo had given me countless gifts, claiming he wanted to make up for all the hardships I'd endured in the past. I gathered them all up and piled them neatly in a corner. I wasn't taking a single thing he'd given me.

I spent the entire night packing. Six years of my life in this house were all packed away in just eight hours.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of high heels approaching.

"Open the door! She might be stealing things in there!"

The bedroom door swung open, and Bella walked in. Behind her was her mother, Maria Ricci, who was also Matteo's stepmother.

Maria said, "I heard you're leaving and calling off the engagement. Do you have any respect for our family at all?"

I closed my suitcase. "I'm not the one breaking the engagement. Also, I'm not an official member of the family, so I'm free to come and go as I please."

Bella rolled her eyes. "No one's stopping you from leaving, but don't think you can steal anything from the Calderoni family!"

She pointed at my suitcase and barked at the maids, "Open it and check everything carefully! Anything bought with the family's money stays here. She's not taking a single thing!"

My temper flared as I stormed over to her. "Who the hell do you think you are to touch my things?"

Maria spoke in an unhurried tone. "Bella is the Principessa of this family. How dare you defy her?"

She waved her hand, and the maids immediately grabbed me and held me aside. Meanwhile, Giorgio opened my suitcase and dumped everything onto the floor.

Bella walked over and stepped on my clothes in her heels without any regard.

She sneered, "What is all this junk? You've been living with us for six years. How are you still so pathetic and broke?"

I struggled to free myself. "Like that's any of your business. You've seen everything now, so get the hell out!"

Suddenly, she bent down and pulled a small jewelry box from my suitcase.

Bella mocked, "Got you! Diamond earrings, huh? You really know how to pick the expensive stuff to steal!"

The moment I saw them, I lunged forward in a panic, only to be restrained by the maids again.

I yelled, "Those belonged to my mother! Touch them, and I'll fight you to the death!"

Before I could say another word, Maria slapped me hard across the face. "You unwanted little tramp! How dare you disrespect the Principessa!"

I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth and was stunned. I quickly recovered and gathered my strength to kick her hard in the stomach.

Maria let out a muffled groan, stumbled backward, and fell flat on her backside.

Bella screamed and rushed toward me, kicking me hard in return. Her foot landed squarely on an old injury. Pain shot through me so intensely that I gritted my teeth.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out. "That's enough!"

Matteo rushed over and shoved the maids away. He pulled me into his arms and held me tightly.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry I'm late."

I was in too much pain to push him away, so I could only lean against his chest.

Matteo roared, "Who gave you permission to lay a hand on her? Have you all lost your damn minds?"

His fury rumbled through his chest.

Bella's voice trembled as she protested with tears welling up in her eyes. "She kicked Mom first! I was just defending her—"

Matteo cut her off, "Save your excuses. If I catch you giving Sofia a hard time again, you and your Madre are both out of this family!"

The crying Bella helped Maria to her feet and led her out while muttering, "You're so unfair, Matteo…"

The room finally fell silent.

Once the pain eased a little, I slipped out of Matteo's arms.

He helped me over to the bed. "Are you feeling better? Don't worry. If she pulls something like this again, I'll throw her out myself."

I didn't look at him or say a word.

Matteo coaxed, "Come on. Don't be mad anymore. I'm back now, aren't I?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Wow, you came back so early. Why didn't you wait until I was dead?"

He affectionately brushed the tip of my nose with his index finger. "Don't say things like that. I brought you a gift. I'll get it for you in a minute."

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and reported, "Don Calderoni, Ms. Romano has been vomiting nonstop in her room. She's asking for you."

He frowned and loosened his arms around me. "I'll go check on her. I'll be right back."

I watched him leave without a word, though my wound was beginning to throb again. I looked down and saw that blood had seeped through my clothes.

Suppressing the pain, I made my way to my suitcase and found some gauze. Then, I slowly dressed the wound in front of the mirror.

It seemed this injury would never fully heal. Once a person got hurt somewhere, they could never return to being completely unscathed. There would always be the possibility of the wound reopening.

I closed my suitcase and checked my flight details once more. Only 12 hours remained before takeoff.