Lose the Battles, Win the War

I held out my hand, and Luca Balzano, Don of the Balzano Famiglia, slipped the ring that marked me as his Donna onto my ring finger.

The rich and powerful from every elite circle showered us with congratulations.

When the gala finally came to an end, Luca drove me home.

It was just the two of us in the car. He dialed Ilaria Colonna, my adopted younger sister, over and over, but she never picked up. Frustrated, he finally tossed his phone into the gap beside his seat.

"Thanks for playing along tonight," he said. "Name whatever you want. If it's within my power, it's yours."

I kept my tone understanding. "It was the least I could do. This concerned the reputation of both the Balzano and Colonna Famiglie, so it was only right for me to step up."

Luca tugged irritably at his tie. "I may still need you to play the part of my wife for a little while. I'll compensate you generously."

I nodded. "That's fine with me. Ilaria still acts like a little girl sometimes, and she gets insecure. Once she comes back, I'll work with you to call off the engagement."

"I'll be counting on you for the time being, Don Balzano," I added gently.

At the mention of Ilaria's name, Luca's expression darkened, and he couldn't hide his exhaustion.

Tonight's unexpected turn of events had left him thoroughly annoyed.

Ilaria had pushed him away more times than anyone could count, yet he'd never lost his temper with her in public. But tonight, at such an important event, she'd done as she pleased and humiliated him in front of everyone yet again.

Still, after indulging her 99 times, he wasn't about to give up on her completely over this one reckless act.

Luca turned to me, his expression softening slightly. His fingers tapped at his phone screen a few times, and a moment later, a massive sum hit my bank account.

"If you hear from Ilaria or find out where she is, let me know."

I tucked my phone away, wearing just the right amount of concern. "Of course. Don't worry too much."

The moment I gave him my word, I wiped Ilaria's location data from my phone.

She thought I'd obediently hand over her whereabouts to Luca the way I always had, helping her stage another round of her tried-and-true game of running away and making Luca chase after her.

But she'd already pushed me into Luca's arms with her own hands, and now she expected me to back off?

Like hell I would.

…

The moment I stepped into Colonna Estate, Mamma hurried over, phone clutched in her hand.

"Did Ilaria text you? I've been calling her, but I can't get through."

"I can't reach her either," I replied. "But isn't Ilaria always like this? She'll be back in a few days."

Mamma seemed to come to the same conclusion and finally relaxed a little. Then she looked at me, hesitation flickering in her eyes, as if she was working up to something.

"Ilaria and Luca grew up together. Their bond goes way back. You haven't been back long, so you might not understand. About tonight—"

I didn't let her finish. "Mamma, I know how Luca feels about Ilaria. I only stepped up tonight to keep outsiders from laughing at us."

Mamma seized on my words instantly. "I'm so glad you see it that way. When our rivals took you all those years ago, I almost didn't make it. It was only because Ilaria stayed by my side all these years that I survived."

She paused, then continued, "She's innocent at heart and keeps saying she wants to return everything to you, but she doesn't owe you anything. And feelings aren't something you can force."

I was barely a few months old when our rivals snatched me from my crib. Instead of searching for me, my parents had adopted another girl and handed her everything that should have been mine.

After I clawed my way back home, my parents worried so much about their precious adopted daughter's feelings that they expected me to yield to her at every turn. And here Mamma was, telling me Ilaria owed me nothing.

Their favoritism practically oozed from their pores.

I curved my lips into a faint smile. "Don't worry, Mamma. I know exactly what to do when Ilaria gets back."

Seeing how agreeable I was, Mamma actually looked a little guilty. "I'm sorry you have to go through this. Once Ilaria comes back, we'll definitely find you a good match."

I nodded submissively.

Of course I knew what I had to do.

I was going to become Luca's real wife before Ilaria ever set foot in this house again.