Chapter 3

Two months after that unpleasant phone call, I thought everything had returned to normal.

Unexpectedly, Mama called me again. "Nerissa, your nonna has been hospitalized. She's not fully conscious and keeps calling your name. Come back and see her as soon as you can."

My heart sank to my stomach. Even though I knew my parents had always been biased, I couldn't help but be worried about Nonna.

I hesitated for a moment before agreeing to go. "Okay. I'll head over now. Send me the address."

After hanging up, I freshened up a little and drove out. However, the navigation didn't lead me to a hospital. It took me to a desolate, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city.

I was alarmed and tried to turn around, but two unfamiliar men smashed my car window! Shards of glass shattered into pieces and flew in all directions, slicing my skin and leaving streaks of blood.

The two men then clamped down on my arms and dragged me deep into the warehouse. The lighting inside was dim, and my parents were already waiting there. Standing beside them was none other than Jovina.

She wore the same evening gown as I did, and her makeup was exquisite. She was my spitting image. We looked exactly the same.

My breath caught. I couldn't understand how Jovina, who was supposed to return only after five years, had reappeared after just three.

But it was obvious to me now that Nonna's hospitalization had been nothing more than a lie. It was a trap to lure me here.

The last shred of affection and trust I had for my parents vanished at that moment.

Jovina walked toward me slowly, her gaze greedily sweeping over me. As her fingers brushed over the necklace on my neck, her eyes were filled with jealousy.

She remarked, "My dear Nerissa, it seems you've been living well these past few years. You took something I didn't want, but you ended up enjoying it, huh?"

I slapped her hand away and said coldly, "Weren't you pursuing your true love abroad? Why did you slink back here? Is it because you couldn't survive out there anymore? Do you regret it now?"

Jovina's expression instantly turned vicious. She suddenly raised her hand and smacked me hard.

She seethed, "Don't bother struggling, bitch. I got you to come here so that I can take back everything that belongs to me. You were the one who replaced me and stayed by Carlo's side back then. Now that I'm back, you should return my identity to me.

"In a moment, you'll leave with us obediently. I'll take your place at the banquet tonight. Once I've secured my footing, you'll be completely useless."

I shouted coldly, "In your dreams! You were the one who ran from the marriage and forced me to replace you. I spent three years by Carlo's side, walking on thin ice to earn his trust. What makes you think you can replace me?"

"What makes me think so? Because the one Carlo wanted to marry from the beginning was me!" Jovina exclaimed, raising her hand to slap me fiercely again.

She added, "You're nothing but a substitute. What makes you think you get to be arrogant in front of me?"

Mama stepped forward, her gaze icy. "Jovi is right. You've been occupying the spot that should've belonged to her. Tonight, you'll either cooperate with us, or we'll lock you up here forever. No one will ever find out. Carlo won't even realize your disappearance."

"Aren't you afraid Carlo will realize Jovina isn't me?" I demanded.

Papa let out a cold laugh. "You two look exactly alike. How would he notice? Tonight, we'll take you in through the back entrance so that no one will see. Look at the miserable state you're in. Once Jovina blends in, no one would believe a word you say even if you're still alive."

Jovina smiled smugly. "Don't be mad at us, Nerissa. Blame yourself for being stupid and thinking you could secure your position as Donna on your own. Carlo noticed me first. Once I take over, I'll only do better than you."

"Why do you think you'll get away with this without a hitch? Carlo is meticulous. Your little tricks won't fool him," I retorted.

Jovina sneered, "So what if I can't fool him? You don't seriously think Carlo has fallen in love with you, do you?"

"She's being stubborn!" Papa bellowed angrily, signaling his men to restrain me. "Sedate her. When the banquet starts, Jovi will go in her place!"

I struggled with all my strength. The moment the needle pierced my skin, I kicked hard at the man's stomach and wrenched myself free from his grasp.

I ran desperately toward the warehouse entrance. But after taking just two steps, a heavy object slammed violently into the back of my head. My vision went black, and my body collapsed straight to the ground.