Chapter 1

"Viviana, call Serafina!"

Hearing that familiar command again, I jolted awake.

I had been reborn.

Without hesitation, I dialed Serafina Calvetti's number. Dante Ravenna's face flushed crimson, his gaze burning with hazy desire as he looked at me.

In my past life, I made the fatal mistake of giving myself to him because of that look. In the end, I died along with my unborn child.

This time, I avoided his lust-filled eyes, clouded by whatever drug was coursing through his system, and left his room quickly.

"Dante, hang in there. Your precious Serafina will be here in ten minutes. I'm leaving!"

The moment I shut the door, I heard him force words through gritted teeth. It sounded like he was calling my name.

I had to run. I refused to die again.

I fled, slammed the door behind me, and stood guard outside. The corridor of the Ravenna estate stretched silent around me, only the glow from the wall sconces pooling on the floor and casting my tense silhouette.

Ten minutes later, Serafina arrived in a rush. She wore an elegant gown and looked exceptionally anxious. The moment she saw me, her eyes sharpened with scrutiny.

When she noticed my clothes were intact, she let out a breath of relief. Before pushing open the door, she commanded me with lingering suspicion. "You can go now."

I turned and hurried upstairs to my room. The Ravenna estate sprawled vast and grand. My room sat on the third floor, far from the main wing.

I used to think it was too far. Now I realized the distance was just right.

It wasn't until the middle of the night that the room downstairs finally fell silent. My taut nerves finally relaxed.

In my past life, I loved Dante too much. I willingly became his antidote, then conceived his child.

Later, he married me under pressure from the old Don. But on our wedding day, Serafina was kidnapped by a rival family and died.

He lost the woman he loved. Then he quietly endured until my due date and imprisoned me in the basement.

That was the place the Ravenna family used to confine traitors. It was cold and damp, and no one ever left it alive.

I begged him through agonizing labor pains, willing to trade my life for our child's.

"Dante, he's your child too!"

But he ignored my pleas and watched as both my child and I died. All to avenge the woman he loved.

This life, I followed his demand and brought Serafina to him as his antidote. I would leave the Ravenna estate, escape him, and survive. I'd live my own life on my own terms.

The next morning, Serafina appeared at the Ravenna family breakfast table. No one was ever late to the family breakfast. It was a rule set by the old Don.

Dante cut a piece of fried egg and took a sip of coffee before casually addressing the family members seated around the table.

"From now on, Serafina is my girlfriend. She'll be the next Madre."

After speaking, he looked at me and pointed his fork in my direction as a warning. "Especially you. Treat her well. Don't cause me trouble."

I nodded obediently. Serafina's lips curved into a smug smile.

I pretended not to notice and stood to leave before finishing my breakfast. But the moment I rose, I heard Serafina's plaintive sobbing.

"Dante, does Viviana not welcome me? I know she's important to you. If she doesn't like me, maybe I should just leave."

As Serafina spoke, tears slipped down her cheeks. She looked utterly pitiful.

Dante's brow furrowed in displeasure. He called out to stop me. "Viviana, sit down and finish your breakfast."

I didn't move and replied flatly, "I'm done eating."

Dante's annoyance deepened. "Viviana, sit down! You grew up in my care. Is this the basic courtesy I taught you?"

In this life, I had no intention of entangling myself with them. But neither of them would let me go.

I turned back and smiled politely at him and Serafina. "Dante, Serafina, I'm really done eating. Please take your time. I'll head back to my room now."

Half an hour later, someone knocked on my door. The moment I opened it, I met Dante's dark, brooding eyes.