Chapter 1

Marco Giordano, Luca Rossi's assistant, spoke in a hushed voice. "Don Rossi, why did you order the doctors to stop the resuscitation? Mr. Niccolo was badly injured, but he was still breathing."

My breath caught.

Luca stayed silent for a long time before answering, his voice heavy with anguish. "I didn't want this either… Niccolo's injuries were far too severe. Even if he survived, he would only be a burden.

"Besides, I promised Gina that the heir of the Rossi famiglia could only be Lorenzo. This is the perfect opportunity. No one will suspect a thing."

Gina Romano? A sudden chill ran through me.

Gina was Luca's first love.

"But Niccolo is your own flesh and blood," Marco said.

Luca spoke in a low voice, and every syllable seemed to tremble. "I know, but Lorenzo is also my son."

My body stiffened, and my blood froze instantly.

Marco sounded hesitant. "But… What about Donna Marino?"

Luca seemed slightly relieved. "I've taken care of everything. I'll bring Lorenzo to the Rossi estate and say he is an orphan from the orphanage. Elena just lost Niccolo, so she'll surely raise him as her own child. It's the perfect solution for everyone."

At that moment, I finally snapped. I tried to rush over and demand why Luca did this to me. But as soon as I stood up, a wave of dizziness hit me, and I fell back onto the hospital bed.

Back then, in front of all the elders of his famiglia and my Papa, he kneeled and swore that he would love me for the rest of his life. Only six years had passed, and now he had killed my son for his mistress.

I finally understood that this marriage had been a lie from the beginning.

As soon as my dizziness eased, Luca walked in with a half-full bowl of soup, the rim stained with a smudge of lipstick that wasn't mine.

His blue eyes were full of warmth, and his voice sounded as affectionate as always. "Elena, are you awake?"

He scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it gently, and brought it to my lips. The scent of rosemary hit me at once—it was the smell I hated most.

I turned away to avoid the spoon, staring straight at him. "Luca, I want a divorce."

The spoon clattered to the floor, and Luca's eyes reddened in an instant. "Elena, I know that losing Niccolo has hurt you deeply. I'm devastated as well. But don't worry. We'll have another child soon."

Listening to his hollow words, my heart pounded, and my breathing grew rapid. I had suffered from this condition since childhood, and every episode was dangerous.

Luca was startled when he caught sight of my pale face. Just as he was about to call for a doctor, his bodyguard burst in and said quietly, "Don Rossi, Lorenzo is sick."

Luca's expression darkened instantly. "What? Has a doctor been called?"

He growled and rushed out, only remembering me when he reached the doorway. "Elena, something has come up with the famiglia. I have to deal with it. I'll check on you later."

He hadn't even finished speaking before his footsteps faded down the corridor.

My body was weak, and my throat felt clogged. I dragged myself to the corridor, only to find that the guards and medical staff were all gone. Luca had pulled everyone away for his illegitimate son.

Just then, my phone buzzed. I opened it to find a video.

In the video, my son, Niccolo Rossi, was lying in a pool of blood. He reached up with his tiny hands, crying out in agony, "Mamma, help me!"

I gripped my phone, my nails digging into my palm.

Below the video were messages from Gina, each word dripping with malice. "Do you know why Niccolo ended up there? I sent someone to lure him over. He was so obedient!

"Luca doesn't love you at all. You're just for show. Niccolo should die! It clears the path for my son."

My palms were soaked with sweat, and my body shook violently. I would make Luca and Gina pay for this!

I forced myself to steady my breathing. After the pain in my heart eased, I lowered my head and dialed the private line of the Gambino famiglia, the most powerful famiglia in Novaro.

"I can give you the core data on the weapons, but I have one condition—within three days, you must wipe out the Rossi famiglia."