Chapter 1

My ring finger hit the floor before the pain reached me. All I heard was a clean, brittle crack. The severed finger, still wearing the Ossuary Signet, rolled across the expensive, handwoven carpet.

Blood sprayed out, splashing over the crystal-studded heels of Sofia Constanzo.

"How horrible. There is so much blood," Sofia screamed and collapsed into Luca Rossi's arms.

The man gripping the bloodstained cigar cutter was someone I had trusted for 20 years and loved for ten.

He was the future Don of the Rossi famiglia, Luca Rossi.

When he looked at me, his gaze was icy. "Alessia, stop playing dead over there.

"Sofia can't stand the sight of blood. You dirtied the carpet. Get lost and deal with it."

I clutched the stump where my finger had been cut off. Blood flowed uncontrollably through my fingers, dripping onto the floor and pooling into a glaring red stain.

Only then did the pain finally explode along my nerves. It was a piercing, soul-splitting agony.

I didn't cry, nor did I scream.

I just stared at Luca and asked, "Luca, the Ossuary Signet was a famiglia heirloom. I never took it off. How could you sever my finger just to put it on Sofia?"

Today was my 22nd birthday. It was also the day Luca publicly annulled my status as his fiancee and announced he would marry Sofia instead.

Luca impatiently toyed with the cigar cutter, which was still dripping blood. With a cold, contemptuous smile, he said, "Alessia, you must know your place. The Ossuary Signet is meant for the Rossi famiglia's Donna. Sofia is the only blood of the Constanzo famiglia. She is the future Donna here. And you?"

He bent down and picked up my severed finger. With a rough tug, he forcibly stripped the Ossuary Signet from the mangled flesh.

"You're nothing but an orphan with no name. The Rossi famiglia took you in out of pity. For 20 years, we fed you, clothed you, and sent you to the finest schools. As long as it makes Sofia happy, even your death would be worth it," he said.

He held the blood-warmed ring and turned to Sofia. In an instant, his cold gaze melted into a tender expression. He wiped the ring carefully and slid it onto her finger.

"Sofia, this is the symbol of the Rossi famiglia. Only you are worthy of wearing it."

Sofia looked down at the ring. A glint of triumph flashed in her eyes, though her face carried the pretense of tears.

"Luca, this isn't right. Alessia lost so much blood, and she has worn that ring since she was a child…"

"Alessia?" Luca cut her off coldly. "She doesn't deserve it."

The guests around us sipped champagne and watched the scene as if it were a performance. Not a single person spoke for me.

To them, I was a parasite, surviving only by clinging to the Rossi famiglia.

Now that the future Donna had returned, it was only fitting to tear a parasite apart.

My body trembled with pain, cold sweat soaking my back. Even so, I laughed until the laughter gave way to tears.

"Luca, you're right," I said. "I don't deserve it."

I rose to my feet, staring past the shameless couple at the roaring fire.

I staggered forward and bent down to pick up the severed finger from the floor.

Luca frowned. "Alessia, what are you doing?"

I lifted the finger and looked at him. "Luca, remember this day. You cut the last bond between us with your own hands."

Then I raised my hand and threw the finger into the blazing fireplace.

The smell of burning flesh filled the air. The flames consumed the finger and devoured the last shred of mercy I had left for the Rossi famiglia.

The room fell completely silent.

Everyone stared at me in horror, as if they were looking at a madwoman. Even Luca froze, shocked by my actions.

"You…"

I pressed my bleeding hand to my chest. My face was pale, but my smile was wild and unrestrained.

"You're wrong, Luca. The Ossuary Signet doesn't belong to the Rossi famiglia. It's a chain meant for dogs. Since that is how you choose to live, wear it proudly," I said.

I didn't look at them again. I turned and headed for the front door.

Blood dripped with every step I took. Beyond that door, I would no longer be Alessia, the Rossi famiglia's discarded fiancee.

I was Alessia Marino, the sole heir of the richest famiglia in the world, the Marino famiglia.