LOGINThe night before the bride-selection ceremony, my best friend was having sex with my childhood friend in the most sacred underground chapel. "You're getting married tomorrow... and I'm just a stray from the slums. How could I ever be worthy of you?" Chloe said, her voice thick with tears. Victor Moretti pulled her closer into his arms. "Isn't what we're doing here proof enough of how I feel? Relax. I've already rigged tomorrow's draw. God will choose you, and only you." "But will your family accept me? Everyone knows Elia is your fiancee. Tomorrow's ceremony is just a formality..." "A formality?" He scoffed. "She doesn't even deserve the effort of me going through the motions. My wife is whoever I say she is." I stood behind the door, my nails digging deep into my palms until the sharp sting kept me alert. I used to think we were each other's rock. But from the beginning, I had been the only one who felt that way. Victor, if tomorrow's ceremony is nothing but a show you can rig however you please, I'm done playing my part. Seven days later, I walked toward the wedding car in my gown. Victor charged toward me like a man possessed, clinging to the car door as he screamed, "Elia, don't marry him! I love you..." I slapped him hard across the face and enunciated every word. "From now on, call me Aunt Elia."
View MoreI went to the cemetery with Dante for Victor's funeral.A light rain fell. Black umbrellas formed a solemn procession against the gray sky.I stood before the headstone, looking at Victor's photograph. I felt nothing, only a quiet, rueful sigh deep within me.Who would have thought he would throw his life away over a woman?After leaving the cemetery, I went to the county jail.When I saw Chloe again, she looked dazed.But the moment she saw me, she threw herself against the bars, her eyes bloodshot, screaming like a woman who had lost her mind. "Are you happy now?! Elia, are you thrilled to see what I've become?!"I said nothing in the face of her hysteria.I simply looked at her, then took a worn velvet box from my purse and set it gently on the ledge."Chloe, your own greed brought you to this point. This is the gift you gave me when we became friends. I'm giving it back. Whatever we had is over."I turned to leave."Elia!" Chloe's voice came from behind me, choked with tears.I sto
I walked to the center of the room and produced a wax-sealed letter. "The late Don Salvatore Moretti entrusted this to me before he died. It states clearly that whoever marries me becomes the next head of the Moretti Family.""No... that's impossible. How could Grandfather have left something like that with you?" Victor was dumbstruck.Perhaps it never occurred to him that the Don's seat he had wanted so badly had been within easy reach all along.He could never have imagined that the late Don himself had placed the shortcut to the pinnacle of power in his hands, only for Victor to throw it away for Chloe.I watched shock twist Victor's face, then smiled coldly and broke the seal in front of everyone."There's no doubt about it. That's Don Salvatore's handwriting.""Since Elia Castellano married Dante, Dante is the new Don.""Victor must be sick with regret. He gave up the Castellano heiress for a woman from the slums and handed the Don's seat to someone else on a silver platter.""Sti
Soon, the day of my wedding to Dante arrived.This was originally supposed to be Victor and Chloe's wedding day as well.But after Dante's order, Victor had called off the ceremony.I had deliberately leaked news of my upcoming wedding. Combined with the media's extensive coverage of Victor begging me to stay with tears in his eyes at the engagement dinner, Chloe naturally assumed today's grand wedding was for Victor and me.So when Victor entered the lavish church in a custom-tailored suit, Chloe completely lost control.She stormed into the ceremony like a woman unhinged, charged straight at me, and jabbed a finger in my face."Elia, you shameless tramp! Did you force Victor to marry you?""How long are you going to keep lying to yourself? On the day of the selection, Victor said to your face that he didn't love you, and now you pull this stunt to force his hand? Doesn't that make you sick?!"She raised her hand to hit me.Victor rushed over and grabbed her wrist. "Are you done makin
Victor laughed as if he had heard the most absurd joke in the world. "Elia, have you completely lost your mind? My uncle would never look twice at you."The words had barely left his mouth when Dante walked in behind him.Victor lowered his voice and glared at me. "Elia, I know you're jealous because I'm marrying Chloe. Is this how you're trying to make me change my mind? I'm warning you, my uncle has a temper. Stop making a scene, or even I won't be able to protect you.""What's going on here?" Dante stepped up to us.Victor pulled me behind him.Before he could speak, I let out a soft laugh. "Victor says I'm not worthy of you. He's trying to talk me into leaving you.""Not worthy?" Dante scoffed. He pulled me out of Victor's grasp and locked an arm around me. "Do you think so too?"I met his gaze and looped my arms around his neck. "Of course not. My husband is quite the catch. But if you don't make it official soon, people really will think you don't want me."Dante drew me into his












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