Chapter 3

I remained seated this time, not even moving an inch. I looked indifferently at Clodia and said, "It's none of your business who I choose."

Clodia's triumphant smile faltered for a moment. "You don't have to be like that, Eva."

She leaned in as fake tears quickly welled up in her eyes and whispered, "I'm just looking out for you, Eva. You surely won't mind if I have Simone's complete devotion, right? You were foolish enough to take a bullet for him, after all.

"If you're left completely starved for affection after the wedding, I'll buy you a few toys to keep you company, Eva."

"Shut up," I hissed, looking at her with revulsion. I had no intention of hearing any more from this deranged couple, so I rose to my feet to leave.

Without a second thought, Clodia poured white wine all over herself, which instantly drenched the front of her dress and made her nipples visible beneath the fabric.

She shrieked in feigned distress, saying, "I was only trying to be helpful by telling you to pick Simone, Eva! Why do you hate me so much that you had to throw wine at me? I put so much effort into getting this dress custom-made!"

Simone swiftly removed his suit jacket and wrapped it around Clodia. He turned to glare at me as he kept her protected in his arms. "Your jealousy is truly unbearable, Eva! How could you possibly compare to Clodia?"

He yelled, "You'd better stay here and reflect on your actions, Eva! You'll apologize to Clodia in front of everyone present once the formal betrothal announcement ceremony begins!"

Having said his piece, Simone guided Clodia toward the upstairs dressing room with his arm around her.

I felt sick to my stomach, so I went up to the second-floor balcony for some air. I then turned around and headed back inside to go downstairs to the main hall, just when the reception was about to get underway.

Clodia actually followed me after she finished changing. She cut me off right at the landing of the stairs, looking entirely provocative. "You know that I'm the one Simone actually loves. You'll be nothing but a wife in name only after tonight, Eva."

She stroked her belly triumphantly and continued, "I'm already pregnant with Simone's child, so when the time comes, everything in this Famiglia will belong to me, Eva."

In my past life, I found out that the child was actually just a bastard from a random hookup with an escort at some bar. I tried to be helpful by telling Simone the truth, but he lashed out at me, calling me insanely jealous, and went so far as to lock me in a dungeon to rethink my behavior.

I noticed that she was staring straight at my face, as if waiting for me to explode in anger. I found it utterly absurd, though. I figured she was repeating her usual trick.

I had no intention of wasting even a second on her since the ceremony was about to start, so I simply brushed past her and hurried downstairs.

Clodia lost her patience after seeing that I wasn't falling for her provocation. She suddenly rushed ahead of me and lunged, reaching her hand out toward my back.