LOGINMy husband, Lucio Moretti, Don of the Moretti family, brought in a girl from the slums and put her in charge of the estate. From that day on, every dollar I spent had to be approved by Gianna. I couldn't even decide to buy a single lipstick, or one dress, on my own. Later, my mother-in-law fell down the stairs on the night before her birthday. I called Gianna right away and demanded 200 grand for the medical bills. But she decided I was lying. "Donna, you really made up a story about your own mother dying just so I'd approve you more money?" Then the call ended. Because Gianna refused to approve the money, my mother-in-law died. And Lucio? He was already having the lawyer draft a waiver for me to sign, a formal release of any claims related to her death. He held a tearful, "guilty" Gianna against him and talked me down like I was being unreasonable. "Gia was only doing her job. Your mother was never healthy anyway. This is mercy." "Be good. Sign it." I went still. He thought it was my mother who died. But it was his.
View MoreThe driver's words struck the courtyard like silent thunder."Walked into the Moretti estate…"The final words fell, and the air turned to stone.Lucio crushed Gianna's phone in his hand and strode straight for his mother’s room.Inside, several suitcases already lay open. Clothes and boxes were strewn across the floor, scattered in plain view.Alongside Rosaria’s clothes, more than a dozen gifts still sat there, waiting to be wrapped.Gianna rushed in behind him, flipped through one of the suitcases on the floor, and her eyes flashed.She jabbed a finger at it and sprang to her feet.“That’s the same brand! That thieving old woman left one in the foyer, and I already burned it!”She thought she had me cornered. Grabbing Lucio's arm, she gave it a triumphant shake, her face lit with pride."I told you she came here to steal. Look—she didn't even finish packing these before trying to take them. There's your proof!"Lucio staggered, barely catching himself against the wall.Gianna didn't
Lucio stared at me like he meant to cut me open."Elena, my patience has a limit!"He shut his eyes and drew a long breath, like the next words cost him everything."If you want a divorce, fine.""But today you behave. You do not upset my mother. After that, we go sign the papers."Gianna pouted, swallowed the hurt, and hurried over to soothe me."Donna, this party involves a lot of families. Think about everyone's face, won't you?""When Lucio's mother gets back, just act like everything's fine with the Don. Whatever the misunderstanding is, we clear it up after the guests leave.""And if having me here ruins your mood, I'll go. I swear you won't have to see me again…"I turned to Gianna and closed my hand around her wrist."You're not going anywhere.""You're the one who killed Lucio's mother. Why would I chase you off?"Gianna froze.Ivy raised her hand to slap me. I caught her arm.Lucio went furious."Elena, have you lost your mind?!""Do you really have to make trouble for me tod
Lucio locked his eyes on me, hunting my face for guilt, for any sign I'd back down.He was waiting. Waiting for a flicker of panic. Waiting for me to lower my head the way I used to, for the so-called bigger picture. One frown. One glance away. That would have been enough for him to take the day back.I gave him nothing.Wind came off the fountain, damp and cold, sliding over my bare arms and sinking into the skin inch by inch. The flowers, white tulle, and champagne tower that should have belonged to a birthday party now felt like cheap set dressing, draped dead over this standoff. Guests held their breath. Even the whispers turned careful. Anyone could see the party had gone sour.Lucio's throat worked. His voice dropped low, hard with that iron certainty of his."Elena, I already told you. Today is my mother's birthday party. She has been waiting for this day a long time.""I won't let anyone, or anything, spoil it for her. I won't let anyone ruin what matters most to her.""I've de
Lucio's question pulled the quiet courtyard tight.My mother blinked at him, confused, her frown cutting deeper."Lucio, what's wrong with you today? I'm standing right here. Why would I be dead?"Her eyes moved over him, caught Gianna's ghost-struck face, then came back to me."Elena, what on earth…"Ivy recovered first. She stepped in front of my mother and looked her up and down like dirt under her shoe."So what if you're Elena's mother? Who's going to prove you didn't sneak in earlier?!""You're not the only one who was seen slipping onto the Moretti estate!"Surprise flashed through my mother's eyes."Today? I finished my work at the East Port."She pulled out her phone. The location on the screen was clear."Could Gianna's man have gotten it wrong? Maybe someone who looked like her?"Lucio frowned and turned to Gianna, startled."Gianna, what is this? You told me you were sure it was Elena's mother.""But, Elena's mother is standing right here. So who is that?"Ivy's eyes went w


















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