Chapter 1

[Elena's POV]

Eva Bianchi's laughter kept drifting out from the living room, brazen and laced with provocation. "Really, Giuliano? Can you really bear to lay a hand on me?"

She walked up to Giuliano Corleone, her steps unhurried. She tipped her chin up and gently pressed her bright red lips to his cheek. "You've already let me move into your house and sleep in your bed. In what way are you not letting me go?"

I stood outside the window, taking in the entire scene.

Giuliano's Adam's apple bobbed hard. In that instant, all his restraint completely shattered. He suddenly reached out, wrapped an arm around Eva's waist, and yanked her brutally into his embrace.

The two of them fell onto the couch, kissing each other like they'd forgotten the rest of the world existed.

When they finally broke apart, a rosy flush climbed over Elena's face. The smugness in her eyes was practically overflowing.

I dropped my gaze with a bitter smile. It felt like someone was carving into my heart with a dull knife, one slash at a time. My chest felt hollow, and only an icy wind kept pouring in through the emptiness.

Giuliano wiped the string of moisture between their lips, his expression blank, his voice as cold as ice. "I'm only keeping you around so I can watch you and get revenge on you myself. You're the one who caused my mother's death back then.

"You also upset Elena's mother, Marta Mancini, so badly that she fell ill and has been bedridden since. And now, you've caused me to lose my child. I'm going to settle that score with you sooner or later."

Eva lifted a finger and tapped his chest lightly, her smile sultry and edged with danger. "Sure. How are you planning to do that? By kissing me like you just did? Aren't you afraid your fiancee will hate you if she finds out?"

Giuliano answered her without hesitation, his tone matter-of-fact. "She's always been gentle and obedient. She's not wild and unreasonable, like you. I'm warning you, Eva. If you dare lay a finger on her again, I swear I'll—"

She laughed, her shoulders shaking as she cut him off. "You'll what? Tire me out in bed so badly that I can't get out, just as you did on the day your fiancee got rid of the baby?"

Every single word was like a knife dipped in poison, stabbing straight into my chest. I pressed my lips together so tightly that they went pale; I almost tasted the metallic tang of blood spreading up my throat.

Suddenly, I remembered what Giuliano had yelled at me in a rage at the hospital two days ago. He'd said that if it weren't for urgent business he couldn't get away from, he would've done everything in his power to stop me from having the abortion.

It turned out that "urgent business" he couldn't pull himself away from… was actually doing the horizontal tango with his precious Eva.

My chest tightened, each wave of pain coming faster and sharper until I could barely breathe. I instinctively reached out a hand to brace myself against the cold wall, just to keep from collapsing.

Right then, the intimacy inside the living room cut off abruptly. Giuliano's panicked voice pierced through the door, landing clearly in my ears. "Elena! Why are you out of the hospital so soon? Did you… Did you hear anything just now?"

I slowly lifted my head and stared at him standing in the doorway, my voice flat and utterly calm. "Are you hoping I heard something… or hoping that I didn't?"

Our eyes met, and Giuliano's expression turned complicated and hard to read. Panic, guilt, and unease tangled together in his gaze.

After a few seconds of tense silence, he decided that I didn't seem angry and visibly relaxed. He stepped forward, took my hand as if nothing were wrong, and led me into the living room.

Eva gave me a lazy once-over, her eyes full of contempt and arrogance. Then, in a tone that assumed she had every right, she ordered, "Giuliano, I want to stay in the master bedroom. Have your fiancee clear it out for me."

Giuliano stiffened. He lowered his voice, his tone thick with restraint as he tried to explain himself to me. "Elena, don't overthink this. I'm only letting her stay here so I can keep an eye on her and get revenge. Be good and just give up the master bedroom for now, okay? She's ruthless, and I'm worried she'll hurt you when I'm not around."

Eva's smile only grew more triumphant at his words. She raised an eyebrow at me in provocation.

Giuliano immediately snapped at her, "I'm warning you, Eva Bianchi. You'd better not hurt Elena!"

But even as he threatened her, his body moved on instinct, stepping in front of her as if to shield her. He acted like she was some priceless treasure he couldn't afford to lose; he seemed terrified I might lunge at her.

I forced down the storm raging in my chest and spoke softly. "Then where am I supposed to sleep?"

A flicker of obvious embarrassment flashed across Giuliano's face. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Before he could answer, Eva casually inspected her perfectly manicured nails and said carelessly, "In the servants' room in the basement, obviously."

She paused, then suddenly lifted her gaze to Giuliano, her tone turning playful and taunting. "Oh, right. Do you know why I fought with my family this time? Because they lined up a bunch of potential husbands for me and are forcing me to get married. Before long, I might not be able to keep you company anymore."

The moment the words left her mouth, he lost his composure. Almost reflexively, he looked at me, his eyes full of panic and hesitation.

I forced the corner of my lips to lift into a faint, icy smile. This time, I spoke before he could. My voice was calm, almost detached.

"Giuliano, if you really want to get revenge on her, then marry her. You can only truly get back at her if you make her your wife. As for our engagement, let's call it off. We don't even need a wedding anymore."