Compartir

Chapter 2

Autor: Aetheria
“Donna Elena, some one has already taken the tiara.”

By the time I rushed to the bridal boutique, Liliana was wearing my custom-made wedding dress and my tiara, with my ring still on her finger.

Looking at her in the mirror, she looked more like the Donna of this family than I am.

Leonardo’s mother, Donna Conti, stepped in front of her.

“It’s just an outfit. Just let Liliana have this.”

“I designed all of this myself. If you want it so badly, go buy your own.”

Liliana hid behind Donna Conti, her eyes reddening.

“Auntie, forget it. Since Elena thinks I’ve tainted it by wearing it, I’ll just change back into my hospital gown.”

“Elena, you’ve gone too far! Liliana is already so pitiful, and you still have to torment her like this?”

Conti glared at me furiously, then splashed her half-empty glass of red wine all over me.

The icy alcohol seemed to agitate my newly stabilized baby again. My heart gave a violent jolt.

Conti had watched Liliana grow up and loved her dearly, while in her eyes, I was nothing but an ordinary woman.

Without any family backing, not as docile as Liliana, I was completely unworthy of Don Leonardo.

Moments later, Leonardo arrived.

He looked somewhat shocked seeing the red liquid on my body.

Frowning, he didn't say a word. He carefully wiped the wine off me, checking to make sure I wasn't hurt.

He draped his jacket over my shoulders and asked softly why I looked so pale.

“Don’t blame Auntie. It’s all my fault. I just thought this tiara was so beautiful, and I realized I would never have the chance to wear something this gorgeous again, so I just wanted to try it on.”

Leonardo’s expression turned grim; clearly, he also knew this was the tiara meant for our wedding.

But he hesitated for a moment before finally saying:

“It’s just a tiara. Let her wear it for a bit. You can wear it the next day. It won’t delay our wedding.”

I let out a cold laugh and tossed his jacket aside.

He can't be unaware of how unseemly it is to share the same jewelry.

“You know exactly how important these things are to me.”

“She doesn’t just want a wedding dress. She wants my position.”

“Are you really blind to it, or do you see it perfectly well and still expect me to back down?”

Leonardo’s expression hardened.

“It’s just a farewell banquet. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re the one marrying me in the end.”

“But she’s using my wedding venue, my wedding dress, and my family heirloom.”

I pointed at Liliana.

“How much further does she have to push before you think it’s too much?”

Liliana discreetly pinched her thigh until it was red, then tearfully took off the ring.

“It’s all my fault. I won’t hold the farewell banquet anymore. Let this hundredth wish just be my final regret.”

Tears streamed down her face as she looked at Leonardo, her eyes brimming with grievance.

“I’m fine. I’m already more than satisfied. You two just have to live happily ever after.”

She took two steps, then suddenly collapsed toward the glass display case.

Amidst a chorus of shocked screams, she grabbed my arm and yanked me down with her.

Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around my stomach, but my palm landed squarely on shattered glass.

Blood instantly welled up, staining my clothes crimson.

Liliana wasn’t hurt at all, but she kept crying out in pain.

Leonardo’s pupils contracted as he looked at me in panic.

“Elena, your hand—”

He walked toward me anxiously.

“Leonardo!”

Conti called out to him in a panic: “Liliana’s face has gone completely white. Rush her to the hospital first. Elena just got scratched. Leave a driver to handle her.”

Hesitation flickered across Leonardo's face, but in the end, he turned around and picked up the other woman.

As expected, he had chosen her once again. A bitter, self-mocking smile crossed my mind.

I pressed a tissue against my wound and went to the emergency room by myself.

That night, Conti summoned me back to the Salvatore family estate.

She wanted my help preparing Liliana's farewell party at my wedding venue, right before my actual wedding the next day.

Sitting beside Donna Conti, Liliana said softly:

"Elena resents me so much. How could she possibly be willing to help me?"

Afterward, he shoved the event itinerary into my hands.

“Just show your face on stage. As long as you cooperate, I’ll have the wedding venue redecorated for you.”

I tore the itinerary to pieces and threw it aside.

"I just want my ring back. I don't want to marry you anymore."

"How is that possible? Elena, don't be so unreasonable."

Leonardo frowned and tried to hold my hand, but I shook him off.

Donna Conti glared at me furiously:

“Elena Russo, don’t push your luck! If your mother were still alive, she’d tell you to be kinder!”

“Don’t bring my mother into this. You don’t deserve to speak her name.”

I glared at her, and after speaking, I turned and walked away.

Leonardo chased me all the way to the estate gates, grabbing my injured hand.

The wound tore open again, blood seeping through the bandages.

He froze, immediately letting go, his voice softening.

“Stop being angry. Let me take you to the hospital first.”

I pulled my hand back, forcing my tone to remain steady.

“You should go tend to Liliana. Isn’t that what you always choose to do?”

He stood there, stunned, watching my silhouette disappear into the night in silence.
Continúa leyendo este libro gratis
Escanea el código para descargar la App

Último capítulo

  • No Wedding in Sicily:Leaving The Don   Chapter 8

    In 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

  • No Wedding in Sicily:Leaving The Don   Chapter 7

    (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

  • No Wedding in Sicily:Leaving The Don   Chapter 6

    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

  • No Wedding in Sicily:Leaving The Don   Chapter 5

    (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

  • No Wedding in Sicily:Leaving The Don   Chapter 4

    “Donna Elena, could you confirm today’s event itinerary one more time?”My subordinate handed me the tablet, their tone hesitant.The engagement photo wall that used to be mine had been replaced with pictures of Leonardo and Liliana.The host introduced Leonardo as “the man who walked her through the final chapter of her life.”As for me, I was only introduced as “the organizer of this banquet.”In the center of the stage, Liliana wore an altered wedding dress, my tiara resting on her head.Leonardo was personally adjusting her train.The moment he saw me, he walked straight over.“After the banquet, I’ll take you back to the old villa and apologize to your mother in person.”“No need.”My gaze fell on the ring on Liliana’s finger. My voice was completely flat.“My mother wanted her belongings to be respected, not for you to wait until they’ve been ruined before apologizing to her portrait.”Guests from all the major families and high society had arrived.Whispers broke out among the c

  • No Wedding in Sicily:Leaving The Don   Chapter 3

    I returned to my family villa alone, planning to pack up some of my mother’s belongings.But the locks had been changed, and strangers were wandering in and out of the house.“This house was left to me by my mother. Who gave you permission to be here?”The door opened from the inside.Leonardo stood in the doorway, holding a ring of new keys.There was one last item on Liliana's bucket list: filming a farewell video in a warm home.Leonardo didn't dare to meet my eyes as he explained.“She’s only staying for two days to take some photos. Once it’s over, I’ll restore it to how it was.”Liliana walked out of the living room holding my mother’s photo album."Elena, please don't be angry. I just heard that your mother founded an orphanage before she passed away. I thought she was a kind-hearted woman, so I wanted to film here.""I figured she wouldn't mind."I reached out to take the album, but she let go before I could touch it.Though her words were about her respect for my mother, her e

Más capítulos
Explora y lee buenas novelas gratis
Acceso gratuito a una gran cantidad de buenas novelas en la app GoodNovel. Descarga los libros que te gusten y léelos donde y cuando quieras.
Lee libros gratis en la app
ESCANEA EL CÓDIGO PARA LEER EN LA APP
DMCA.com Protection Status