Chapter 4

Vincenzo froze.

I stood just outside the bulletproof glass of the ICU, every word a dagger in my heart.

He could support Chloe for the rest of her life, give her a status in the underworld no one would dare challenge, but how could he give her the De Luca name?

He had sworn before a priest that I was his one and only Donna, his one and only wife.

Seeing Vincenzo's hesitation, Marco's body on the bed suddenly began to convulse violently.

The heart monitor shrieked, its alarm like a countdown to death.

Blood gushed from Marco's mouth, staining Vincenzo's expensive white shirt.

Chloe, sobbing and trembling, tried to wipe the blood away while pleading with her brother.

"Brother, Vincenzo is already married. Don't make things difficult for him."

"No… It was my fault. It was because of me that you had to leave New York. I'm the one who let you lose your protection…"

Marco's hand gripped Vincenzo's arm tightly. "Vincenzo, cough… You know what this world does to women without the protection of a Family. Please, give her your name. Only the title of Mrs. De Luca can keep her safe…"

Seeing the brother who had taken a bullet for him gasping for air, his emotions spiraling, Vincenzo didn't hesitate any longer. He immediately clasped Chloe's hand.

"Marco, I promise you."

"I will marry Chloe. I will give her the highest honor and protection of the De Luca family."

"You… swear on the family crest…" Marco's eyes widened in a final burst of energy.

Vincenzo had no choice. He closed his eyes, then slowly raised his right hand.

"I swear on the name of the De Luca family, I will marry Chloe. If I break this vow, may I be cast into hell, never to find peace."

Hearing those words, Marco's tense body finally went limp, a look of relief spreading across his gaunt face.

"I don't have long. You must hold the ceremony before I die."

As if the effort of speaking was too much, Marco lapsed back into unconsciousness.

After hearing everything, I didn't storm in. Instead, I turned and walked to a bench outside, my body going cold.

A few minutes later, Vincenzo came out.

He ripped off his tie and lit a cigar, his movements sharp with agitation.

After a moment, Chloe appeared with two cups of espresso and pressed herself against his side.

"Vincenzo, I know my brother's request is too much… but he's dying, and I don't want him to go with regrets. Don't worry, it'll just be a formality. I'll go and explain everything to Elara."

"Don't." Vincenzo blew out a puff of smoke, his eyes dark. "I am the Don. This isn't just a marriage; it's a responsibility. Elara understands the bigger picture. She won't make a fuss over something like this."

"Will she really not mind? But she…"

Chloe trailed off, biting her lip, her eyes darting nervously.

"What about her? Did she send you more of those texts?"

Before Chloe could answer, Vincenzo took her phone and opened her texts.

On the screen was a message from a contact named "Elara."

[Elara: You bitch, Chloe, why isn't your brother's worthless life over yet? How much longer is he going to drag Vincenzo down?]

Seeing the message "I" had supposedly sent, Vincenzo nearly dropped the phone.

He probably never imagined that his elegant, proper, Ivy-league-educated wife could be so vicious in private.

After all, he had never seen this side of me since the day we met.

"Vincenzo, don't be angry. Donna was just upset because she loves you so much. It's my fault. I'm the one who shouldn't be here."

Chloe's crying was heartbreaking. She fell into Vincenzo's broad embrace.

Vincenzo crushed his cigar and wrapped a large arm around her.

"She's gone too far. Even as my wife, she has no right to insult my brother like that. I'll make her apologize to you."

Chloe nodded through her sobs, but in her eyes, unseen by Vincenzo, was the glint of triumph.

Just then, I stepped out from the shadows and stood before them.

Vincenzo started, his expression instantly becoming complicated.

He had always considered me the perfect Donna. Calm, elegant, a brilliant financial advisor, and most importantly, someone who would support him unconditionally no matter what.

Even if I had been throwing a bit of a fit lately, it was just jealousy. But those vicious curses were far too much.

The sun was bright, but its light couldn't hide the deathly pallor of my face.

Looking at Vincenzo's disappointed and accusatory gaze, I curled my lips into a smile, finding the whole situation absurdly funny.

"What did I say? Is it something worthy of the great Don putting on such a dramatic, heartfelt performance?"

"Are you still going to stand there and be sarcastic?"

"Chloe, show her the messages."

Chloe shook her head pitifully, then walked over and gripped my arm tightly.

"Donna, you can say whatever you want to me, I don't mind. But my brother is dying. He wants to see me and Vincenzo get married before he passes..."

"Wait." I shook off Chloe's hand, cutting her off. "What did I say to you? Be specific."

"I..." At my question, Chloe immediately recoiled like a frightened deer, hiding behind Vincenzo.

Seeing Chloe so aggrieved, Vincenzo took a large step forward, shielding her with his body.

"Elara, I am so disappointed in you. Chloe has been trying to spare your dignity, and what do you do? Curse her brother's life, call her a slut. All those years at an Ivy League school, and this is what you've learned? Cheap tricks?"

A sharp crack echoed through the air as I slapped Vincenzo across the face with all my strength.

Every word he had just spoken was a complete and utter humiliation of my pride.

Vincenzo clearly hadn't expected me to hit him. His eyes filled with shock.

"You hit me?"

The slap was so hard it snapped his head to the side, and a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Yes. Does it hurt?" I shook my stinging palm and let out a soft laugh, though the mirth didn't reach my eyes.

"So, you can feel pain too, Vincenzo?"

I took a deep breath. "That's right. I called her a bitch. A homewrecker. I wished her brother would die sooner. So what? He's not my brother. It has nothing to do with me."

"She just said she wanted my blessing? No problem."

"As for the family lawyers, I'm free anytime."

With that, I didn't give Vincenzo another glance. I just turned and walked away.

Vincenzo clutched his cheek, watching my slender figure retreat into the distance. For some reason, a wave of panic washed over him.

He couldn't understand why I looked so unfazed.

Why, when he told me he was going to marry Chloe, had I not cried or begged, but simply agreed?

Was this still the Elara who couldn't fall asleep outside his arms, who came to him for comfort over the smallest grievance?

Chloe gently touched Vincenzo's cheek, her face a mask of concern.

"Vincenzo, does it hurt? Elara didn't mean it. She was just angry. I'll go to her later and explain everything. I'll get on my knees and beg for her forgiveness. I'm sure you two will make up."

Chloe's voice was soft and docile, like an anesthetic that slowly eased Vincenzo's taut nerves.

Vincenzo nodded, accepting her explanation.

No matter what, he was certain I could never truly leave him.

Not for three days, let alone for good.