Chapter 4

The last spark of hope deep inside my heart finally died out.

I raised my head and looked at Leonardo, my expression completely flat. "If that's the case, then just kick me out."

Leonardo's body shuddered violently. He lowered his gaze, taking me in.

The swollen red bruise on my forehead was a horrifying sight, and several tiny droplets of blood were still oozing from the pinpricks on my arm.

As for my toes, they were rubbed raw from running all that distance, leaving faint smears of blood on the cold marble floor.

In those eyes of his that usually held nothing but cold, decisive authority, a flicker of panic actually surfaced.

"Bianca..." he began, his voice slightly raspy.

But almost immediately, he forced that guilt back down. He grabbed my wrist roughly and hauled me straight into the bedroom.

The door slammed shut, finally leaving just the two of us.

"Bianca, look at yourself! What kind of behavior is this?!"

He exhaled heavily, his tone dripping with exhaustion and disappointment. There was even a hint of patronizing condescension.

"No matter what Gia had said, that's not an excuse for you to hurt her.

"She's still young. Even if she was in the wrong, you should have shown the grace of a Donna, not brawling with her like an unhinged street fighter!

"Besides, all you were asked to do was cook a single meal. Look how much time has passed! Gia was so hungry that her stomach hurt, yet you were hiding in the kitchen, taking a nap! Is it any wonder she lost control of her emotions and acted out?!"

As he spoke, Leonardo’s voice suddenly spiked.

"Don't forget, her father took a bullet to save my life! I promised I would take care of her for the rest of her life!

"Her mental state is so fragile right now. Can't you just give in to her a little? Even if you're just putting on a show for me, can't you do that?!"

It was as if he had finally stumbled upon the perfect justification. That initial trace of panic in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by a righteous wave of accusation.

"If you keep throwing these tantrums and making everyone miserable, how long do you think it's going to take before Gia finally agrees to let us remarry?"

I listened quietly to his nonsensical logic, feeling a chilling wave settle deep inside my chest.

Since when did the don of the Corleone family need to check a crazy woman's mood just to deal with his own marriage?

My face showed no emotion whatsoever as I offered a flat, quiet response.

"I understand."

Seeing that I was finally backing down, Leonardo stepped forward and pulled me tight into his embrace.

"Bianca, I'm glad you came to your senses. Go out there in a minute and give Gia a sincere apology. She's soft-hearted. As long as you apologize, we can put this entire thing behind us."

I took two steps back and looked up at Leonardo, a bitter, self-deprecating smile gracing my lips.

"She dragged me into this state, but in the end, it's all my fault? And you want me to apologize to her?"

Leonardo froze for a second before his brows knitted together tightly. "I'm not negotiating with you! Bianca, if you still want to stay by my side, you will do exactly as I say!"

"Apologize to Gia and then go whip up dinner as fast as you can. Otherwise, don't bother going back to that little apartment of yours."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the bedroom without looking back once.

Naturally, he didn't hear the quiet words I murmured behind him.

"Fine. As you wish."

I looked around the bedroom.

Every single item in this room belonged to the Corleone family. There really was nothing here that was mine.

I couldn't help but remember three years ago, when I brought Leonardo home to meet my father, my heart bursting with joy.

Back then, Leonardo had just become the heir, and the Corleone family was plagued by internal strife and external threats. He stood before my father, swearing with absolute conviction that as long as he was alive, anywhere in Siciliana would be my home.

How ridiculous that I actually believed him.

Ignoring my father's warnings, I had resolutely chosen to follow Leonardo.

To ensure he had no lingering worries while fighting his way through that brutal power struggle, I gave up all my own ambitions in my family's business and willingly stood behind him.

I thought that was love. But looking at it now, feelings change, and the only person who will never betray you is yourself.

After thinking it over, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in three long years.

Half an hour later, a knock echoed from the outer living room.

"Excuse me, is Bianca here?"

A young man dressed in a sharp, pitch-black suit walked inside.

At the sight of a strange man standing in the foyer, Leonardo's expression hardened, a flicker of apprehension cutting through his anger.

Before he could demand an explanation, I stepped out of the bedroom.

"Lorenzo. Over here."

As I reached the doorway, Leonardo suddenly rushed over and seized my wrist, a wave of sheer panic and unease flashing through his eyes.

"Bianca! Who is this? Where do you think you're going with him?!"