Chapter 4

I hadn't expected Stefano to reach out to me first. He invited me to a cafe located near Crown Boulevard a week after Marcello's departure.

Stefano, with his aloof temperament, appeared nothing like the future Don of a mafia famiglia.

I couldn't fathom why Marcello had demanded Stefano's death in my dream. Nevertheless, I got straight to the point.

"I know about the Lombardi famiglia's underground casino in Veridia. Your father, Don Lombardi, wants to legitimize his operations and is desperate to sell, but he hasn't found the right buyer yet. Isn't that right, Mr. Lombardi?"

Stefano's expression instantly shifted. "How are you aware of this, Ms. Sabato?"

I smiled faintly. "I'm also aware that Marcello is making a massive power play. He's not satisfied with just riches—he wants to lead a famiglia and reign over the criminal underworld, much like your father and mine."

I noticed that Stefano's resolve was wavering, so I continued, "Marcello has been targeting your casino for a while now. He must have reached out to you recently, hasn't he, Mr. Lombardi?"

Stefano's eyes sharpened with caution as he stared at me. "You're the Principessa of the Sabato famiglia, and your betrothal to Marcello is common knowledge, Ms. Sabato. What is your actual intent in sharing this with me?"

I took a sip of the bitter coffee and whispered, "I'm just trying to give back to my famiglia and Papa. After all, they've raised me for 22 years."

Stefano remained silent for quite some time—long enough that I began to expect a rejection. He, however, eventually looked at me and nodded in understanding.

I breathed a sigh of relief and asked with feigned nonchalance, "What did the doctor say about your injuries?"

"It's merely a fracture of the right hand," Stefano replied indifferently.

"That's good to hear," I whispered, that phrase carrying a weight of guilt and relief known only to me.

I was relieved that he was alive this time and relieved that I could finally try to make up for what happened in my dream back then.

Stefano suddenly asked, "Do you mind if I ask you a question, Ms. Sabato?"

"Go ahead."

"W-Why did you break up with Marcello?"

I looked at Stefano with a faint smile and replied softly, "It's because I realized that if we stayed together, we'd both turn into terrible human beings. I'm not willing to become that version of myself."

I rose from my seat to take my leave after saying that.

"Valentina!" Stefano suddenly called out to me.

I stopped and turned to him.

Stefano continued, "I'll tell you a secret if you return in three days."

"What secret?"

Stefano hesitated briefly before replying, "It's a secret regarding Marcello—one that will make you think I'm a madman."

I did feel my heart skip a beat at that moment, but upon seeing his serious expression, I nodded and said, "I'll see you in three days, then."

I had just walked out of the cafe when my phone suddenly rang with a call from Marcello. I tried to ignore it, but the screen flickered repeatedly until the low-battery warning surfaced. I held the warm device tightly and finally answered.

"I want to see you right now, Valentina. I want to know what exactly happened. I mean, we were perfectly fine before your accident, and we were supposed to be getting married soon—"

I cut him off, stating coldly, "I don't want to see you, Marcello."

I would be reminded of how I died in agony and hopelessness if I were to see him. I would remember how I had been responsible for the deaths of Papa, Mamma, and Stefano.

"Why, Valentina?" Marcello persisted, as though he refused to let it go without an explanation.

I stared at the streetlamps lighting up on Crown Boulevard and took a deep breath. I then replied flatly, "It's because I've already died once—and it was you who killed me, Marcello."