MasukMaria was dragged out of the villa while crying and screaming uncontrollably, her whereabouts remaining a mystery.There were two people who had died in our family, but the funeral was held for only one of them.…Caterina's Point-of-View In the meantime, in a quiet town in Elysiron, I huddled in front of the TV, watching the news broadcast a funeral that had caused a sensation throughout the city. "That man is crying so hysterically on the TV, Domenico. It seems like his sister has passed away. It's such a shame since she was so young…"I cocked my head, studying the screen for a long moment before pointing at the portrait on the headstone. "Who is that woman? Why does she look exactly like me, Domenico?"Domenico Romano, my younger brother, looked out from the kitchen and said without hesitation, "You don't even look like her. You're much more beautiful, Caterina."I flashed a wide smile in response. I then turned off the TV and hurried into the kitchen to give him a hand.I
I hurried straight to the rented apartment without stopping after disembarking from the private plane. I didn't even bother changing my clothes. I had traveled everywhere with Maria during those two weeks, my thoughts often drifting to how I should have brought Caterina to see these places as well.I thought that since the punishment was over, I was going to pick up my princess and take her back to the castle where she belonged.I pushed the door open, only to find the place empty. I then thought of the messages that had gone unanswered for a long time—something that had never happened in the past.I felt a sense of growing unease gnawing at me as my face gradually lost its color. I took out my phone at once and called my assistant. "Go find out where Caterina is right now."There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before my assistant's somber voice came through. "You should head over to Don Sartori's place this instant, Mr. Novello."I noticed Luigi clutch
I had just reached for my phone when Maria suddenly snatched it away, acting spoiled. "I'm so hungry, so go get me something to eat first, Simone."I figured that since I had settled all the company affairs, nothing urgent would come up. I nodded and walked away. I had just returned when I found that the messages on my phone had been entirely erased.Maria smiled faintly and said, "I cleared them for you since they were all spam messages."I didn't doubt her for a second. I gazed out at the vast blue horizon, a strange sense of emptiness settling over me. I kept my phone switched off for two whole weeks, dedicating every moment to Maria.I immediately opened WhatsApp when I returned. I started to type, but changed my mind and sent a voice message instead. I said urgently, "I have successfully completed my surgery, Caterina. I'm all better now, so I'm coming home. I'll bring you your favorite strawberry cake, so you have to wait for me, Caterina."I thought that one strawberry ca
Simone's Point-of-ViewI had just gotten on the private plane when Maria, who had been waiting, ran over happily. "You finally have time to travel around the world with me, Simone!"She then took out a detailed travel plan with every destination checked off. She had visited these places over the past five years.I was worried that she wouldn't have the best experience whenever she traveled, so I had provided her with top-tier tour guides, elite security, and the finest luxury hotels.I showered Maria with excessive affection, while for five years, I feigned being a paralyzed ALS patient to trick Caterina. I stood by and watched as Caterina gave up her future and her freedom, turning into a machine that worked day and night to earn money just to pay for my so-called treatment.I had once again made up another excuse about getting treatment and left Caterina in that cramped, stifling rented apartment just because Maria wanted me to travel the world with her again. I had lied so mu
Luigi's Point-of-ViewI had been very busy lately—first, getting that room demolished and redesigned the way Caterina liked it; and second, planning our wedding for our sixth anniversary. I had kept her in the dark about it since it was meant to be a surprise.I knew Caterina didn't get along with Maeve, but since Maeve had once saved me from drowning as a child, I had promised to take care of her. I could finally hold the wedding with Caterina now that Maeve had recovered and Simone had finished punishing her.I rubbed my throbbing temples in exhaustion, feeling the weight of Caterina's absence more than ever. I then checked my phone, only to find she hadn't messaged me once in the past few days.I called my assistant, Luca Moretti, and asked, "Is Caterina's part-time job keeping her busy? I thought I asked you to give her a more manageable job."There was a brief silence on the line before Luca replied, "Donna Sartori hasn't shown up to work for quite some time, so I assumed you
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
I didn't even look back at Carmelo's stunned expression after saying that. I let the blood drip on the floor as I walked away unsteadily.I had just reached home when I heard something break in the kitchen.Simone used his hands to try to push himself up from his fallen wheelchair. He looked asham
Caterina's Point-of-ViewI stood there like a senseless puppet, unable to move. I suffered through the slow destruction of what I believed in over the past five years, and with every stroke, raw flesh and blood were torn away. Luigi Sartori, my husband, said with a sigh, "I mean, Caterina dropped







