Se connecterMy fiancé’s childhood sweetheart had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and only had a month left to live. Even though I disagreed, he still temporarily left me to accompany her in completing her bucket list of a hundred wishes. Three days before our engagement, I held the pregnancy test in my hand, wanting to tell him he was going to be a father. Instead, his childhood sweetheart posted a photo on her social media: “Thanks to Leo for spoiling me. I have no more regrets in this life.” In the picture, Leonardo was personally slipping a ring onto her finger. That ruby ring was a dying keepsake my mother had left me, and a priceless family heirloom. Before he left, he said he wanted to take it to the snowy mountains to pray for blessings on our marriage. I commented on her post: “Wishing you both a happy marriage.” Leonardo called me almost immediately: “Elena, don’t provoke Liliana.” “You will be my Donna. We have the rest of our lives. She doesn’t have much time left.” I smiled and told him it was fine. Because I had finally come to my senses: our lifetime would always be tainted by Liliana’s presence. If that was the case, neither I nor our child wanted him anymore. After getting my ring back, I was going to leave this place.
Voir plusIn the months that followed, the Salvatore family’s nightmare descended slowly and irreversibly.First, their territory in Palermo’s old town was carved up by three rival families in a single night.Next came the eastern ports. The Russo family choked off every shipping route controlled by the Salvores. Within weeks, the bleeding numbers on their ledgers formed a blood-red gash.Then came their allies.The families that had once sworn brotherhood with the Salvores began to quietly distance themselves.First, they delayed meetings. Then they stopped answering calls. Finally, even the olive oil and wine they used to exchange during the holidays stopped appearing on the Salvores' front porch.No one was willing to cross the Russos for the sake of the Salvores.This was the iron rule of Sicily: To make an enemy of the strong is to make an enemy of yourself.The Salvatore estate grew emptier by the day.Servants, bodyguards, and butlers handed in their resignations one after another.Only t
(Elena’s POV)After landing, I returned to the estate I hadn’t visited in years.The May sun had already baked the limestone cliffs scorching hot. The sea breeze, carrying the sweet scent of lemon blossoms, rolled in from the Ionian Sea, swept through the estate’s colonnades, and poured into my room.I stood in front of the full-length mirror my mother had used when she was alive.Back then, I had stayed in that city for my mother’s heirlooms and for Leonardo.My fingers instinctively brushed over my lower belly.This little life was innocent. I was going to keep it, and I would give it the best care possible.My father, Don Alessandro, sat at the head of the long table."So, you've finally decided to go home and take up your role as the heir?"Having not seen my father for a few years, I noticed his hair had turned even whiter.My nose stung, and the grievance I had just suppressed welled up once again. "Dad..." I threw myself into his broad embrace.He didn't say a word, gently stro
The massive projection screen hanging in the church suddenly flared to life.I whipped my head around.On the screen, Liliana was sitting in a private clinic’s exam room, facing a mirror with a makeup brush in her hand.“Start with a light layer of foundation, then add a bit of grey-toned contour right under the eyes...”She mumbled to herself, sweeping the brush across her cheeks.In the mirror, a healthy young woman slowly transformed into a frail, sickly one.The next clip.Liliana was in the same exam room as a doctor handed her a medical report.Her voice was crystal clear: “Mild anemia? No, that won’t do. I need something... more severe. You know what I mean.”An envelope was slid across the desk.The next clip.Liliana was taking a selfie with her front-facing camera, beaming brightly.“That stupid woman actually thinks Leonardo is in love with her. Once I’m cured, the position of the Salvatore matriarch will be mine.”The video kept playing.Clip after clip.Liliana on the pho
(Leonardo’s POV)The wedding venue was decked out in absolute opulence.White roses lined the path from the church doors all the way to the altar. Beneath the crystal chandeliers, the heads of the major families sat stiffly in their pews, exchanging hushed whispers.The lingering notes of the pipe organ still echoed under the vaulted ceiling. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, bathing the altar in a kaleidoscope of gold and crimson.The weather was exceptionally clear today. Everything was absolutely perfect.I stood at the altar in my custom black suit.But the space beside me was empty. The bride still hadn’t shown up.I gripped the ring box so hard my knuckles turned white.I’d ordered this diamond ring three months ago in Rome. Cushion-cut, six carats, with our initials engraved inside the band—L.S. & E.R.After the farewell banquet last night, I’d called Elena seventeen times.No one answered.She was probably still throwing a tantrum.It was fine. Today, at the












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