Chapter 2

"I'm fine. Give her the special tonic," I said.

Lucio froze. I understood why. If this had happened in my past life, I would have been clinging to him, making a scene.

He looked at me suspiciously. "Why are you acting so strange today?"

I pursed my lips and said nothing.

Lucio scoffed. "Suit yourself. I honestly don't care about this."

I nodded, keeping my gaze lowered to avoid his eyes.

A heavy silence settled between us on the drive. He seemed restless in it, and finally, he broke the quiet. "There's a new show at Luminara Opera House tonight. Once I wrap up my work, I'll take you there."

I felt a flicker of surprise. In my previous life, it had always been me pleading for him to accompany me to the opera house. Back then, he had been impatient. "The opera house? I have no time for romance. I married you only because my parents insisted."

In this life, I chose not to bring it up again.

He mistook my silence for a denial.

"Fine, then," he said with a hint of irritation, tossing one of the tickets onto my lap.

I glanced at the lone ticket resting on my lap. It brought back memories of how I had begged so desperately before, making this small, almost charitable act feel bitterly ironic.

"I will go," I said.

"Wait for me at the opera house after dinner—"

Before he could finish, someone from the famiglia darted over, blocking the car.

"Don Ferrari, wait! Something's happened to Ms. Bianchi!"

The brakes squealed as the car came to a sudden stop. I glanced over just in time to see Lucio's expression harden. He held the door handle tightly, poised to jump out.

"I'll manage the printing shop on my own. You should go check on Bella," I said thoughtfully.

Lucio went completely still, holding the car door as if rooted to the spot.

Disbelief was etched across his face as he stared at me, as though my quiet compliance had struck him harder than the threat to Bella.

I met his eyes. His expression was complicated. "Since when did you become so generous?"

A pang of bitterness rose in my chest, and my throat tightened. Whether I was generous or petty made no difference to him. In his eyes, I was nothing more than someone insignificant.

My lips trembled, but I swallowed my words.

At last, he broke the silence. "I don't know what you have in mind, but you'd better stay in line."

With that, he slammed the car door. The engine growled, and the car sped away. He didn't look back.

When I reached the printing shop, the owner, Simone Russo, was already outside, greeting me with his usual warm smile.

"Where's Lucio? He didn't come along?"

He was Lucio's uncle and a high-ranking member of the Alberti famiglia. In my previous life, he had wholeheartedly backed my marriage to Lucio.

I managed a smile. "He had an unexpected matter to attend to, so it's just me here."

Simone's smile dimmed. "Lucio has no sense of romance. The wedding is nearly upon us, and yet he's entirely absorbed in famiglia matters…"

I felt tears prick my eyes. I handed him the invitation. "It's okay. He's always put the famiglia first."

I wanted to announce to all the senior members that I would not marry Lucio, but I couldn't bring myself to say it.

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my chest and said softly, "I have received so much care and consideration from you and the elders during my time in the famiglia. I will always carry that kindness with me. If the famiglia ever needs me, I will do everything I can."

Simone smiled. "What are you talking about? After the wedding, all we want is for the two of you to live happily together and then have a healthy, beautiful child. That would be our greatest wish."

I said nothing.

In this life, I had already let go of my former obsession. I no longer clung to the idea of becoming Lucio's wife.

That way, he could freely pursue the one he truly loved and spend a happy, fulfilled lifetime with her.