Chapter 3

I noticed that the front door was wide open, and the house was in complete disarray. Simone was being held down on the ground by someone, like a desperate stray dog in its final struggle. That scene was so familiar that I started shaking all over—my previously broken ribs seemed to flare up with phantom pain.

It was then that Davide Conti, the leader of the group, said, "It's been a while. When are you paying this month's debt, Ms. Novello?"

I turned completely pale. "Didn't Luigi pay it all back already? How do I still owe you anything?"

Davide spat on the floor before waving the iron rod in his hand a couple of times over Simone's back. "If I say you owe us money, then you owe us money. You don't want to pay up, huh? I'm not sure how many swings Simone's brittle bones can handle, though, Ms. Novello."

"I'm the one who got you into this mess, so just forget about me and leave, Caterina. I'm just a cripple—it doesn't matter if they beat me to death!"

I had heard those exact words countless times over the past five years. I felt utterly exhausted as I looked at the room full of debt collectors demanding payment and then at Simone, who looked like a disheveled mess on the floor, though his eyes were sharp and focused.

I finally understood the whole situation. I found it quite absurd that I only realized it now—for all their threats, they had never actually laid a finger on Simone. I, on the other hand, ended up with broken ribs, a limp, and a body covered in bruises just to protect a man who was playing me for a fool.

I swallowed hard against the ache in my throat and looked at Simone. I then asked Davide hoarsely, "What else do you want from me?"

Davide sized me up with a nasty grin and said, "I'll tell you what—if you crawl between the legs of all twelve of us and bark three times like a dog, we'll call it even for today."

Simone roared, "You must not crawl through their legs, Caterina!"

I let out a hollow, numb smile, and the last shred of warmth inside me froze over entirely. "If this is what you want, then let's be done with it."

Simone was suddenly seized by panic, even though I was talking to Davide. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself when he remembered his promise to Maria.

He assumed that since this was my final punishment, he would never let me be wronged again in the future. He remained convinced that he had plenty of time to make amends to me later.

Having justified it to himself, Simone averted his gaze. He quietly snapped a few photos of my degradation and sent them off to Maria.

I lay on the ground for a long time after the crowd had dispersed before I finally found the strength to get to my feet. Simone crawled toward me, his eyes bloodshot. He had been ready to launch into another performance of self-pity, but the sight of my hollow, lifeless eyes made the words die in his throat.

It was the following day when the doctor showed up to escort Simone to his treatment. He had given me his word before leaving, saying, "I'll be back soon, Caterina. I'm never going to let anyone hurt you ever again."

I merely smiled faintly in response, remaining silent throughout. I suddenly covered my mouth the moment they left, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

I recalled the doctor telling me that a ruptured brain tumor meant that I was going to die. I, strangely enough, wasn't afraid in the slightest when I collapsed.

I was suddenly flooded with memories of Simone being kind to me back when he was still a child. I remembered him braiding my hair, sharing his sweets, and watching over me when I was unconscious with a high fever.

I then thought of what he told me back then. "I'll make a lot of money when I grow up, build the biggest castle for you, and make you the happiest princess in the world, Caterina."

I suddenly thought of Luigi, who hadn't reached out to me once since Maria came back. I couldn't help but wonder if he was too busy looking after Maria.

I pushed the thought aside, as it didn't matter to me anymore. I choked back my tears and, with blood still on my hands, shakily opened my phone. I then sent one last message to both Simone and Luigi. "Please bury me next to Mamma and Papa. Goodbye."

I weakly closed my eyes after sending the message.