Chapter 1

In my previous life, I gave my crush one of my corneas and helped him to restore his right to inherit his mafia family. But when he regained his sight, my family chose to have my older sister marry him instead of me.

My own family exiled me, and I died on the night of wedding between him and my sister.

Then I'm reborn—back before I was exiled .

I stood in my father's study—Vittorio Rossi, the Don of our family. The air smelled of aged whiskey and cigars.

Vittorio sat behind his massive mahogany desk, an unlit Cuban cigar between his fingers. His eyes were cold, hard as steel—nothing like a father's should be.

"Lena, Elena's engagement to Vincenzo Corleone is next week," Vittorio's voice echoed in the large study, devoid of warmth. "This is an alliance between two families. I won't tolerate any disruptions. It would be best if you stayed away."

My mother, Isabella Rossi, stood beside the desk, nervously twisting a silk scarf. "Darling, your father has everything arranged. Tomorrow morning, you'll be sent to our safe house in Sicily. We'll bring you back after the wedding."

Hearing their familiar words, I knew for certain—I was reborn, back to the day I was exiled and forced to give up Vincenzo.

In my past life, I was sent to Sicily just like this.

But I refused to accept it.

I kept escaping the safe house, trying to find Vincenzo to prove one thing: when he was betrayed, blind, and abandoned by the world, I found him. I hid him, stayed with him through the darkest five years, and even gave him one of my corneas to restore his sight.

I was the one who stood by him steadfastly, not Elena.

Five years ago, as the Corleone heir, Vincenzo was ambushed by rivals. A bullet damaged his retina. The Corleones didn't want a disabled heir, so they abandoned him on the outskirts of the city.

It was me who found him near death, brought him to safety, and climbed over the fence every day to be with him. "I'll come every day." In those pitch-black days, I became Vincenzo's only comfort.

I knew he wanted to become the most powerful Don in all of New York. To restore his sight, I anonymously donated one of my corneas. This allowed him to recover and reclaim his place as the Corleone heir.

The night before his surgery, he kissed my fingertips with a tenderness I'd never known. He fumbled with his family pin, fastening it to my coat. "When I can see again," he said, "you'll be the first person I see. I'll make you the Madre of the Corleone family."

But when Vincenzo's bandages came off, the first person he saw was Elena.

Vittorio and Isabella knew Elena had feelings for Vincenzo too. They bribed the surgical team to keep me unconscious for seven days after the procedure. Then they had Elena present the family pin to the newly recovered Vincenzo, telling him, "I'm the one who was with you all these years. It was my cornea that saved you."

Vincenzo didn't question their story. The Rossi family needed Corleone support. Elena was seen as the pure, virtuous daughter, while I was the "convicted black sheep." Obviously, Elena was more worthy of him.

Vincenzo and Elena got together naturally, from dating to their engagement, appearing deeply in love.

For five years, I tried to find a chance to explain to Vincenzo, to tell him it was me who had been with him, who had saved him.

But Elena claimed I was just jealous, seeking attention with lies. With Vittorio and Isabella backing her up with false testimonies, Vincenzo never believed me. He grew more distant and hostile.

"That's all in the past now," Isabella said, her voice trembling slightly. "This time is different, Lena. The Corleones specifically requested Elena."I knelt before my mother, begging her to tell the truth—that it was me who saved Vincenzo, that it was my cornea that restored his sight.

But all my efforts only earned Vincenzo's deeper contempt.

The last time I saw him was at Vincenzo and Elena's wedding. Vincenzo kissed Elena as everyone cheered. Meanwhile, I was killed by a bomb meant for our rival faction. No one paid any attention to me in my final moments.

Since God gave me a second chance, I wouldn't make the same mistakes again.

"Fine, I'll go." I calmly took the travel pass to Sicily, my voice unnaturally steady.

Vittorio and Isabella exchanged surprised glances. Their youngest daughter—the one who once caused a scene at a Corleone gathering over Vincenzo—was now this obedient?

"I hope you understand the importance of this alliance," Vittorio said sternly, tapping his fingers on the desk. "The Corleones control all the East Coast ports. Without their support, our family's business will collapse."

Isabella stepped closer, trying to take my hand, but I pulled away. "Sweetheart, we know you've always cared for Vincenzo, but this is for the family's greater good. Elena is more... suitable for him."

A bitter smile touched my lips.

How ridiculous. Vincenzo was always meant to be mine.

But my parents took him and gave him to my sister.

Twenty years ago, Elena killed a government official. Instead of taking responsibility, my cruel parents sent me, not yet ten years old, to take the blame. I went to juvenile detention, bearing an indelible stain on my record.

I had two ribs broken there, and no one visited. Meanwhile, Elena wore fancy dresses, praised at every event as the Rossi Principessa.

My parents doted on her. Growing up, I always had to give Elena everything. My room, my bodysoldatos, even my shooting trophies ended up engraved with Elena's name. Only Vincenzo was something I never wanted to give up.

Vittorio's brow furrowed. "At six tomorrow morning, a driver will take you to the airport.

I traced the edge of the travel pass. "Don't worry. I won't ruin your perfect marriage. After all, in your eyes, I'll always be the 'flawed' daughter, won't I?"

"Stay in Sicily until we call for you. Don't do anything stupid."

Then Vittorio and Isabella left together to discuss wedding details.

After my parents departed, my phone vibrated. A message from Vincenzo: Tonight at 9, old warehouse. Door will be open.

My fingertips grew cold.

In my past life, I'd been thrilled to receive this message, thinking he finally wanted to believe me.

But when I arrived at the warehouse, I realized he had deliberately brought me to watch him and Elena together, hoping I would finally give up.

Remembering that painful memory, my head started throbbing again.

At ten to nine, I stood outside the old warehouse in the industrial district.

Inside, Vincenzo held Elena, both of them completely naked, with used condoms scattered all around.

I don't know how long I stood there frozen before they finally spotted me.

"Lena?" Elena feigned surprise, covering her mouth and snuggling closer to Vincenzo. "What are you doing here?"

Vincenzo didn't turn around, but his voice reached me clearly. "I invited her. I only love you, Elena. I want her to understand this reality that she is merely a blemish in the Rossi family., so she stops clinging to impossible dreams. "

I had broken down crying, but Vincenzo just said coldly, "I had you come for a reason. Stop entertaining these unrealistic fantasies about me. I only love your sister, Elena, and I will never allow you to steal her credit or my love for her with lies."

I stood at the doorway, images of past and present swirling in my mind. The boy who had held my hand in the dark, Vincenzo who had pressed my frozen palms against his chest during thunderstorms—he had become this cold stranger before me now.

"I understand," I said, unnervingly calm. "I wish you happiness."

I turned to leave when Elena's sweet voice called out, "Vincenzo, I think Lena is still angry with me. Maybe we should talk? After all, we're sisters, aren't we?"

Finally, Vincenzo turned to face me, his eyes like poisoned daggers. "Miss Rossi, look how understanding your sister is. And you? You're always so hostile toward her. I won't have any unpleasantness at my wedding."

A sarcastic smile touched my lips. "Don't worry, Mr. Corleone. I'll leave New York tomorrow morning. I won't tarnish your perfect wedding."

Just then,a rapid volley of gunshots echoed from outside the warehouse.

"Rival family," Vincenzo reacted instantly, pulling Elena under him for cover.

I scrambled to find safety, backing away.

But just as I moved, Elena, sheltered by Vincenzo, gave me a push when no one was looking.

I stumbled, losing my balance and stepping right into the line of fire.

"Ugh!"

A bullet tore through my abdomen.

Clutching my wound, I slid down to the ground against a wooden crate. I watched as Vincenzo grabbed Elena and rushed for the emergency exit, not even looking back in my direction.

"Such a familiar scene," I whispered, lying on the cold concrete floor as life slowly drained away. Memories of my past life flooded me—that boy in the dark who had promised to marry me had been consumed by family power and interests.

Before consciousness faded completely, I was back in that safe house five years ago.

Vincenzo's eyes were still bandaged. He carefully felt my face, his voice so tender it made me want to weep: "When I can see again, you'll be the first person I see. I'll make you the Madre of the Corleone family."

That boy who only had me in his heart was gone forever.

And I could finally let go completely.

The wail of distant sirens reached me, but I couldn't hear them anymore. My consciousness sank into darkness.