Chapter 2

I opened my eyes to find myself in the Rossi family infirmary.

The nurse changing my dressings, Lidia, knew what had happened to me. When she saw I was awake, she visibly relaxed. "You've been unconscious for three days. Thank God you're awake."

She lowered her voice. "Miss Elena is in shock. Don, Madre, and Mr. Corleones are all in the VIP ward taking care of her. They blame you for what happened to Elena and are furious. Should I call them here so you can explain?"

I shook my head, my throat too dry to speak. "No. They don't want to see me, and I don't want to see them."

Lidia nodded in understanding and continued her work. "I know, it's not fair. You're the one who was seriously injured and rushed to the emergency room, The bullet had narrowly missed your heart, and it took the doctors five long hours to remove it. Even though your injuries were far more severe. Yet they only care if Elena was scared. Vincenzo even brought in the best psychologists and bought her an entire box of diamond jewelry."

I closed my eyes. None of it mattered anymore.

In the afternoon, the doctor ordered tests. I managed to get out of bed, every step sending sharp pain through my gunshot wound. As I walked down the hall, I overheard two nurses talking.

"They're sisters, yet Lena almost died from blood loss and no one came to visit. Elena was just a little scared and she gets the best medical care in the city."

"Don't you know? Lena is a convicted criminal. At ten years old, she murdered a innocent government official. How can she compare to the kind Miss Elena?"

"I heard Elena's fiancé is Vincenzo Corleone, the Underboss of the Corleone family. He's young, talented, and devoted to her. He's been by her side constantly, even hiring personal therapists and filling her room with jewelry. They even ship her water from France."

I've had an allergic reaction to mineral water from France my whole life. It gives me rashes all over my body. But Elena liked it, so the family only kept that kind. When I had a reaction, they called me "fussy" and said I was "trying to go against Elena."

When I heard the nurses' envious remarks, I walked away silently.

As I passed the VIP ward on the top floor, I heard laughter and conversation coming from inside.

The door was slightly ajar. I saw my father adjusting Elena's pillows and my mother cutting up a steak, feeding her pieces. Elena was in Vincenzo's arms, using that familiar helpless voice. "I heard Lena was badly hurt. Mom, Dad, you've been taking care of me these days. Why don't you bring her some of this steak? She needs to build up her strength."

My father didn't look up. "Don't worry about her. This steak is especially prepared for you. It would be wasted on Lena."

My mother agreed. "That's right. She's always causing trouble. She probably provoked the enemy that attacked her. Getting hurt is her own fault."

Vincenzo stroked Elena's hair, his voice soft. "Elena, you're far too kind. She's always tried to deceive me with lies, yet you still keep worrying about her."

I kept walking, the pain in my gunshot wound reminding me of the explosion.

I was badly hurt because I blocked the bullet for Elena and Vincenzo. But to them, my pain was worth less than her steak.

Elena pretended to care about me in front of others. But whenever we were alone, she would mock me, even hitting and kicking me.

Then she would run to our parents crying, twisting the truth.

Everyone believed she was the principessa, so they always took her side when she claimed I bullied her.

My parents never listened to my side. They just used family discipline to punish me.

After that, I learned to stay away from my sister. Whatever Elena wanted, I gave it to her.

Just as I turned to leave, Vincenzo spotted me.

He quickly followed me out into the hallway. "Lena."

I stopped walking but didn't turn around.

His tone was stiff. "I'm the one who called you here yesterday. That's why you got hurt. I'll get you the best doctors and pay you for what happened. But stay away from Elena."

I kept my voice calm. "Fine."

He seemed taken aback by how easily I agreed. "If you need... I can apologize to you for Elena."

I gave a bitter smile. "When the day comes that you know the whole truth, you'll be more pathetic than I am."

With that, I walked away.

In my past life, Vincenzo was the only thing I refused to give up.

And look where that got me.

This time, I just want to live my own life. No more fighting, no more taking, no more loving.

On my way to get my medication, I had to pass through the garden below.

As I walked by the fountain, Elena suddenly appeared in front of me.

"I guess the Corleones got you the best doctors. You're already walking around," she sneered. "Let me warn you. The position of Corleone's Madre will be mine. Stay away from Vincenzo. Even if you try to tell him you were the one with him in the safe house, nobody will believe a juvenile criminal like you."

I looked at her calmly. "Don't worry. From now on, Vincenzo is yours. The whole family is yours. I won't compete with you for anything."

Elena suddenly grabbed my wrist, her grip so tight it hurt. "Compete? What makes you think you can compete with me? I've always gotten whatever I wanted. You're only worthy of my leftovers!"

She yanked me into the fountain. Cold water immediately engulfed me. My back wound burned like fire. I struggled in the water, blood seeping through my bandages and coloring the water red.

Just as Elena was about to continue, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure.

Then she pretended to fall into the water and struggled dramatically.

Vincenzo rushed over and jumped into the fountain without hesitation.

But he swam right past me and lifted Elena into his arms. My vision began to blur as water filled my mouth and nose.

Elena clung to him, pretending to be worried. "Lena accidentally pushed me in. Can you save her?"

At Elena's words, Vincenzo's anger flared. "All this quietness and calmness is just an act! You just promised me you'd stay away from Elena!"

Then he shot a cold glance at me struggling in the water and answered Elena, "She did it on purpose. Since she likes playing in water so much, let her stay in there and clear her head."

Vincenzo's cold words cut through me.

My face turned purple from lack of air. A buzzing filled my ears. I had no strength left. My vision grew dark. The last thing I saw was Vincenzo carrying Elena away, not looking back.

I don't know how much time passed before soldatos dragged me from the fountain. They threw me at my parents' feet like a sack of trash.

Isabella kicked my shoulder with the tip of her high heel. "How dare you lay a hand on Elena? The Corleones are already discussing the engagement. If you ruin this, I'll throw you in the East River for the fish!"

I lay on the ground, soaked, my wound making me shake. "She pushed me."

But they didn't listen. They didn't care about the truth.

Vittorio raised his cane and struck my back. "I'm telling you! You will never be good enough equal to Elena. You don't deserve to be the Corleone Madre. Stay away from her. Give her whatever she wants!"

Hearing their anger, I grew cold. Despair filled my eyes.

The pain I'd held inside for years finally erupted. "I'm not good enough? Is Elena better? If you hadn't sent me to take the fall, I never would have been a criminal! And I'm the one who saved Vincenzo. You let Elena take my place. Isn't that shameful?"

At my defiance, Isabella's face turned red. Vittorio slapped me hard across the face.

"The dogma of Rossi family is obedience. Your life belongs to the family. Letting you pave the way for Elena is your honor! You have no right to an opinion."

"If you dare speak the truth again, we'll..."

At that moment, Vincenzo entered. Vittorio and Isabella were startled, but Vincenzo didn't question their anger.

He glanced at me on the ground, assuming I was refusing to apologize, which had upset my parents. His tone was icy. "Since she won't admit her fault, lock her in the underground cell. She can think about what she's done there."

Vittorio and Isabella agreed it was a good idea. They called soldiers to drag me away.

I knew resistance would bring worse punishment, so I didn't struggle as they led me off.

The dungeon was cold, damp, and cramped.

Leaning against the cold wall, I drifted back to five years ago.

When Vincenzo couldn't see, he would wrap his jacket around me, saying that when he could see again, he'd take me to the Corleone private island.

Now, how ridiculous those sweet words seemed.

I don't know how long I stayed in solitary confinement. My wound became infected, and I developed a high fever. I was cold and hungry.

When Vincenzo appeared again, he stood outside the bars and asked, "Do you realize your mistake?"

I used the last of my strength to answer. "Yes. I was completely wrong."

He nodded in satisfaction. "Good. As long as you stay away from Elena."

I watched him leave. In my heart, I thought: My mistake was believing your promises. My mistake was loving you.