Chapter 3

The next day, they took me out of the dungeon. They gave me clean clothes, but my wounds still ached.

Back in my room, I gathered everything that reminded me of Vincenzo.

My childhood diaries and love letters, secret photos of him, gifts I had saved for him, surprises I planned to give him... I had intended to tell him my story when we were finally together.

But now I knew there was no future for us. These things were worthless.

I stuffed everything into a black trash bag and walked to the incinerator outside the villa, watching the flames consume them one by one.

As I turned to leave, I walked right into Vincenzo, who had just returned with Elena.

Elena deliberately showed off the diamond bracelet on her wrist—the one Vincenzo had traded control of three weapons docks for. It was known as the "symbol of the Corleone Madre."

Vincenzo glanced at the trash can, then looked at me. His gaze was as cold as ever.

Elena saw the items and forced a smile. "Lena, did you destroy all of that? Does this mean you're finally giving up on Vincenzo? Finally letting go of those unrealistic fantasies? We can still be a loving family now. I won't blame you for what happened. You're still my little sister."

She turned to Vincenzo, pretending to be generous. "Vincenzo, Lena knows she was wrong now. You're her brother-in-law now. You should be nicer to her."

Vincenzo glanced at the trash again, then back at me. "My eyes are only for you. I'm only good to the person I love. Even if she's your sister, that doesn't change anything."

Hearing Elena's laughter and Vincenzo's cold words, I ignored them and walked back to my room. My heart was calm as still water.

To celebrate Elena's recovery, a grand celebration party was hosted by the Rossi and Corleone families.

Important figures from all New York crime families were there. They discussed weapon prices, dock control, and the Rossi-Corleone alliance.

I hid in the shadows on the second-floor balcony, watching below as Elena, dressed in a diamond-covered gown, was flanked by my father and Vincenzo. She looked exactly like a future lady of the family.

"I hear Vincenzo gave up the entire South American cocaine pipeline to the Rossis for Elena."

"Elena is so lucky. Not only is she the Rossi Principessa, but she'll also become the future Corleone Madre."

"This party is incredible. I heard the flowers were flown in from Europe this morning. There's going to be a drone show over the city later. The jewelry Elena is wearing is worth hundreds of millions. Vincenzo personally bought it at Sotheby's!"

"Elena is the jewel of the Rossi family. She deserves all of this. Unlike her sister Lena, who actually tried to seduce her own brother-in-law."

"Yeah, heard she even attacked Elena to get Vincenzo's attention. A heartless person like that doesn't belong in the mafia. She should be exiled and thrown to the sharks!"

I stood in the corner, listening to their comments, feeling nothing.

Not far away, Isabella lovingly adjusted Elena's dress while Vittorio affectionately stroked her hair. Looking at their happy scene, I knew they had never been so gentle with me. Even when I was sick and vulnerable as a child, they wouldn't spare me a glance. To take Elena shopping, they skipped my graduation ceremony.

I was like a stranger, never earning their attention or love.

Only when I was with Vincenzo did I ever feel warmth. He cared about my health and prepared gifts for me.

I thought I would never be alone again.

But this small affection I had briefly possessed had been stolen by Elena too.

And I wouldn't miss it.

Amid the festive atmosphere, guests brought gifts for Elena.

She opened them one by one—from luxury bags to exquisite jewelry. Her smile never faded.

The last two gifts, from Vittorio, Isabella, and Vincenzo, caused a sensation when they were announced.

"After careful consideration, Madre and I have decided to name Elena as the sole heir to the Rossi family," Vittorio announced excitedly. "From now on, she won't just be our principessa. She will inherit all of our family's businesses and assets!"

Vincenzo continued, "The gift I give Elena is the Corleone family heirloom. The elders told me that any couple who wears these rings will be together for life. Elena, you are the only woman I want to marry. Thank you for being in my life."

Under everyone's gaze, Vincenzo personally slipped the rings on Elena's fingers and pulled her into a deep kiss.

The hall erupted in cheers, applause, and screams of blessing.

Watching this, my heart felt heavy and oppressed.

Just as I was about to slip away, one of Elena's maids stopped me. "The mistress requests your presence. She wants to introduce you to the families."

I knew I couldn't refuse, so I followed her to where Elena was.

Seeing me, Elena spoke loudly, attracting everyone's attention. "Lena, did you hear that? Vincenzo gave me the family heirloom and proposed to me. As my sister, shouldn't you congratulate me?"

The crowd immediately chimed in.

Only Vincenzo's gaze faltered for a second before locking onto the necklace in my hand.

"Why do you have this pin?"

He remembered the texture of this pin. Five years ago in the safe house, he had touched it countless times, listening to the girl say it was her most precious possession.

But after being with Elena, she had never mentioned it. Now it was on Lena.

I looked up, meeting his incredulous gaze, and instinctively touched the pin on my bracelet.

During Vincenzo's blindness, though I knew he couldn't see, I still dressed up to visit him. Every time, I wore this meaningful pin.

He would always touch it when he held my hands, asking me what it meant.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Vincenzo suddenly grabbed my wrist, his tone urgent. "Answer me! Why do you have this pin? Who are you?"

I never thought Vincenzo wouldn't recognize me, but he would recognize this pin.

My emotions tangled inside me, but before I could speak, Elena cut me off.

"Lena," she said loudly, "This is the pin Father gave me. When did you steal it?"

"This pin doesn't belong to you." My voice was soft, but it made the entire banquet hall fall silent. "It was left to me by my grandfather. He gave it to me, hoping I would inherit his spirit and protect the Rossi family."

This was why, in my past life, I had endured Vittorio and Isabella's abuse until the day I died.

Elena's expression changed immediately. She clung to Vincenzo's arm, her eyes red-rimmed. "Sister, how can you say that? Grandpa had just passed away when you were five years old. How could you possibly remember this? This pin was always kept in Father's study. He gave it to me personally."

My father stepped in to support Elena. "Lena, stop these lies! This pin was given to Elena by me. If you continue to defame her, you're betraying the family!"

Then Elena came over to snatch the bracelet. Her sharp nails scratched several bloody marks on the back of my hand.

I winced in pain and tried to pull my hand back. Elena then pretended to fall backward.

Seeing this, Vincenzo's expression darkened. He instinctively pulled Elena into his arms, looking at me with a chilling gaze. "So that's it. I thought..."

"So you stole Elena's pin and tried to cause trouble at the alliance celebration? You've brought shame to the Rossi family!"

Hearing him believe Elena without giving me a chance to explain, a chill went through me.

I had actually held a sliver of hope, expecting him to see the truth and recognize who I was.

At that moment, Isabella suddenly threw a glass of red wine in my face. "Ungrateful child! If it weren't for Elena's kindness, taking you in when you came out of juvenile detention, you should have been exiled. Instead of being grateful, you dare to steal from her now!"

Vincenzo looked at me with disgust. "According to mafia law, for disgracing the family symbol and damaging the alliance, you deserve the salted whip."

My father ordered soldiers to bring the salted whip. He stood before me himself. "Today you'll learn that the Rossi family has no place for traitors!"

The first lash fell. My back felt like it was burning. The salt water seeped into my wounds, making me tremble all over.

I refused to yield, stubbornly repeating, "I didn't steal anything. This pin... it was... mine. Grandpa gave it to me!"

But Vincenzo—was bending down to comfort Elena, not even looking in my direction.

After fifty lashes, I lay on the ground, blood soaking through my black shirt and spreading across the marble floor.

Guests all stepped back.

I used my last bit of strength to open my eyes. My father and mother didn't even look at me. They turned back to greeting their guests.

And Vincenzo, without a glance, carried Elena away and left the party.

In the grand celebration hall, only I remained, broken and bleeding on the cold floor.