Mein Gefährte hat meine Schwester geläutert

I, Tatiana Buzzelli, looked in the mirror and slowly fastened the ruby necklace around my neck.

A gunshot sounded as Luciano Cacciola kicked the door open.

Clad in a black trench coat, he appeared disheveled. His hair was messy, his clothes smeared with dust and blood.

However, Loretta Peri, whom he was holding, was spotless.

Loretta was his mentor's daughter. She hid behind him, trembling profusely.

Her voice was as gentle as usual, but her gaze directed at me held a hint of defiance.

"Carlo made his move. The manor's defense system has been destroyed." Luciano's voice was icy, but he dared not look at me.

Carlo Cacciola was Luciano's uncle, who wanted him dead.

"They've breached the outer defenses. This is the last line of defense. The helicopter's waiting outside, but I can only take one of you with me."

I stared at myself in the mirror, anxiously clutching the hem of the wine-red gown I'd changed into for our wedding anniversary.

I turned to look at Luciano, then my gaze fell on his hand holding Loretta's.

And I waited for him to make his choice.

"Come with me," he told Loretta.

No surprise there.

I couldn't help but ask, "What about me?"

"Tati, don't do this." He swallowed hard.

"Loretta has a heart condition and cannot get agitated. I promised Mr. Peri to protect her."

Sobbing softly, Loretta peeked out behind him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Sorry, Tatiana. It's all my fault. I'm useless, not like you, quick with a gun and skilled at fighting…"

Every word she said reminded Luciano that she needed his protection.

He strode over and gripped my wrist.

"There's a safe room behind the study that is bulletproof and fireproof. Go hide there." He paused, his voice hoarse. "Wait for me. I'll have someone come for you."

Come for me? Did he mean come for my body?

I watched as he left with Loretta, hand in hand.

At the door, Loretta turned and gave me a smug grin.

She raised her hand, giving the smartwatch on her wrist a little shake.

The screen showed a heart-rate monitor and a detonation button.

I recognized that watch.

Three years ago, Luciano's mentor, Rocco Peri, had personally implanted a pacemaker for him.

As for the control of the pacemaker, Rocco handed it to Loretta before his death.

It was a father's last protection for his daughter.

Loretta could trigger the device at any moment, ending Luciano's life immediately.

Thus, he didn't have a choice but to choose to protect Loretta.

He took Loretta with him so he wouldn't die, then left me here, claiming he wanted to keep me safe.

In truth, he didn't believe I could stand by him through it all.

To Luciano, I was just like Loretta, a delicate woman he needed to protect.

Ignoring Loretta, I looked into Luciano's eyes and asked one final question. "Luciano, if you were given a second chance, would you still marry me?"

Luciano froze. He glanced hesitantly at Loretta and fell silent for a long time.

My heart slowly sank. "We…"

Suddenly, Loretta sobbed and fell into Luciano's arms, clutching her chest.

"Luciano, my chest hurts. Am I going to die?"

Luciano quickly scooped her up. Without sparing me another glance, he turned and rushed out.

Watching his tense figure, I couldn't help but think back to the day I'd first met him.

It was at a decadent party where he stood alone on the balcony on the second floor, casually surveying the crowd below.

His sharp features and effortless presence immediately caught my attention.

It was no surprise that I fell for him at first sight.

My friends warned me that Dons were heartless and cold and that I shouldn't provoke or dream of having him.

Yet, I refused to believe that anyone's heart could be completely cold.

I tucked away my sharp edges and pursued him relentlessly.

The day he accepted my confession, I was overjoyed for a long time.

I thought he probably liked me a little, too.

But all these years, his attitude toward me remained lukewarm.

He claimed to love me but could never remember that I was allergic to seafood.

He protected me, but the possibility that I could fight alongside him had never crossed his mind.

He always did what he thought was good for me, but he never asked what I really wanted.

Loretta was gentle and frail, and she needed his protection.

Luciano thrived on her reliance on him. He remembered every little thing about her, cared for her, and fretted over her constantly.

So, it wasn't that he couldn't love. He just didn't love me.

I flashed a self-deprecating smile and called out, "Luciano!"

Luciano stopped, but he didn't look back.

"I'll explain after I come back. Wait for me."

My fingertips were cold, and so was my voice. "No need."

Suddenly, I was overcome with exhaustion.

I was tired of our relationship, of being caged, of losing control of my emotions, of playing the part of Tatiana Buzzelli, and most importantly, I was tired of loving him.

I spent seven years shaping myself into the frail woman he adored.

I thought that would make him fall in love with me, but what I got in return was the most extreme insult, ever.

He never once considered that I could fight alongside him.

"Go. Don't look back."

My voice was soft. There was no hysteria, no grief, and no attempt to hold him back.

He soon disappeared with Loretta in his arms.

"Luciano Cacciola, see you never."

I gazed at Luciano's back and let out a low chuckle.

He never really cared about me and only did this to ease his conscience.

Perhaps we really didn't suit each other.

I was exhausted. It was time for me to return to my own life.