Chapter 2

When I woke up, I found myself in a warm room, my wounds freshly bandaged.

I asked my soldati, but they only said that my father, Roberto Costa, had already reached a decision on the matter.

When Anna recovered and was discharged from the hospital, Stefano personally went to pick her up and escorted her home.

Outside the study, I overheard Stefano speaking to Dad.

"Anna was gravely injured while saving my life, and I can never repay such a debt of gratitude. I hope you'll allow me to marry her so that I can spend the rest of my life loving and protecting her."

I thought I had come to terms with all of this, but hearing Stefano speak those words himself still made my heart ache bitterly.

He would feel heartbroken over Anna's severe injuries from saving him. Yet in my previous life, when I saved him just the same, he saw me as nothing more than a burden he felt he had to be responsible for.

In my previous life, Stefano never wanted to marry me in the first place. It was only because the rumors at the time began to tarnish his image in the Marino family that he felt compelled to take me as his wife.

Seeing me standing by the door, Anna walked in and said to Dad with tears in her eyes, "Dad, I think it's best to call off this engagement. After all, how could I ever take Stefano from Anita when he's the one she loves?"

Dad glanced in my direction.

Stefano immediately stepped in front of me, blocking Dad's gaze. "Principessa Anita, I apologize, but do allow me to say this one final time. I do not love you. No matter what you do, I will never love you. In my heart, there is only Anna."

I nodded. "I understand. Rest assured, I will not intrude upon your wedding with Anna. My early congratulations to you both."

Perhaps because I sounded too calm, Stefano started sizing me up.

Dad walked over and patted my shoulder with a smile. "My dear daughter has finally come to her senses. Don't worry. I'll introduce you to other men who are better and more outstanding."

I deliberately avoided looking at Stefano and nodded with a smile. "Alright."

…

Once Anna and Stefano's wedding was decided, Stefano began visiting the estate daily.

In the past, I had to go to great lengths just to catch a glimpse of him. Not only did I have to bribe his soldati, but I also had to pry information from Anna's attendants.

And because of this, I was often mocked by her attendants for being shameless.

Ironically, now that I had lost all interest, Stefano seemed to linger around me constantly. And it was starting to get annoying.

Anna probably assumed I still liked Stefano, because she would always put on this gentle older sister act and come over just to talk to me about him.

"Anita, you love sunflowers, right? Stefano had these picked fresh this morning. Would you like me to share some with you?"

"Anita, Stefano brought back so many jewelry pieces from Verduron this time. I can't possibly wear them all, so let me give you a few."

I lowered my gaze to one of them—a pink diamond ring.

I remembered just before the wedding in my previous life, I told Stefano I wanted a pink diamond ring. I told him I didn't care about anything else for the wedding, as long as I could have a pink diamond ring.

I spoke with such humility, yet Stefano didn't listen at all.

But on the day of the wedding, the ring was just a plain, ordinary style. Moreover, it was even a size too big for my finger, and that size could only fit Anna.

I was staring at the pink diamond ring, completely lost in thought and unaware of the footsteps approaching outside the door.

By the time I noticed, Anna had suddenly fallen in front of me, and the ruby necklace in her hand scattered across the floor.

I crouched down to pick it up, only to be blocked by a pair of black leather shoes.

"Stefano, please don't blame Anita."

Before I could even say a word, Anna began to cry first. Tears rolled down her face one by one, making her look utterly pitiful.

"It's all my fault for not holding it properly. It's not because Anita pushed me on purpose," Anna said.

Stefano's expression grew darker as he stared at me. "Anita, as soon as your parents are gone, you start bullying Anna! It's a shame she goes out of her way to think of you in every little thing. You truly have a heart of stone."

My heart ached unbearably.

"I didn't push her," I said through gritted teeth, fighting back tears.

Anna quickly grabbed my hand and pretended to comfort me, "Anita, it's alright. It's all my fault. Please don't be angry."

Before she could finish, Stefano pulled her behind him protectively.

Steano looked at me with nothing but hostility in his eyes. "I didn't mind how casual you used to be with Anna before, but now that she's going to marry me and become the Donna of my family, I can't just stand by and do nothing while you bully her."

He turned to Anna, his voice softening noticeably. "Anna, don't worry. I'll stay at your house these next few days until your parents return."

Then, he shot me a sharp, warning glance.

In the past, whenever I knew Stefano was coming to our house, I would happily dress up, let alone if he were staying here. But now, there wasn't a trace of joy on my face.

Not seeing the reaction he expected, Stefano seemed slightly taken aback.

Nevertheless, he still warned me, "During this time, you'd better keep a certain distance from me so as not to give outsiders reason to gossip."

…

The next morning, Stefano went to the kitchen to specifically make breakfast for Anna.

To make sure I knew about it, Anna intentionally spoke loudly as I passed by.

Unfortunately, as I walked past the kitchen, I didn't pause at all. Instead, I went straight to the garage and drove myself out to have breakfast elsewhere.

On my way back, I stopped by a salon and dyed my hair.

When Stefano saw me, he let out a scoff. "Anita, isn't this a rather low tactic to use just to get my attention?"