Chapter 3

The butt of the gun slammed hard into my shoulder.

I heard the sound of bone dislocating, and searing pain instantly flooded my entire body. However, I did not fall and neither did I cry.

"Spoiled Principessa," Vincenzo sneered as he put away his gun. "Your existence makes the air in this estate foul."

He crouched down and gently helped Adriana up. "Does it hurt? I'll call for a doctor."

"No need. I'm fine." Adriana weakly shook her head, her voice trembling. "I'm just frightened, that's all."

She looked past Vincenzo's shoulder at me. In those clear eyes flashed a hint of triumph.

Just like countless times in my last life, she had successfully played the victim again.

I used my good hand to support myself against the wall, steadying myself. Everyone else in the room held their breath, waiting for this storm to end.

"I'll leave the estate." My voice was calm. "Very soon."

Vincenzo said without turning back, "That would be for the best."

Then, he carried Adriana out of the room, leaving me alone to face the bloodstains and pain. The bodyguards and maids in the estate had all seen what just happened, but no one dared step forward to help me.

They knew Vincenzo's temper and what would happen if they offended him.

I leaned against the wall and slowly made my way to the phone, dialing the number of the family doctor.

"Dr. Romano, it's me, Rosalie. I need you to come over. Yes, right away."

An hour later, my shoulder was reset and my arm was secured with bandages. Elio Romano was an old friend of the Moretti family who had served us since I was a child.

"You need to rest for at least two weeks." He packed up his medical kit, then paused. "Also, Ms. Moretti, this kind of injury isn't caused by an accident."

"I know."

He looked at my calm expression. He wanted to say more but ultimately held back.

As the family doctor, he had seen too many consequences of violence and understood that in this mafia family, women were often put in even more dangerous situations.

"If you need any help..." He left the sentence unfinished, gathered his things, and left.

Three days later, I moved out of the Marino estate. This time, there were no tears or reluctance.

I hired a professional moving company and had everything that belonged to me moved to a penthouse apartment in downtown Elgano City.

It was a luxury apartment over 3,000 square feet, located in the prime area of Pica Avenue. I then began setting up my own fashion studio.

I thought about many things during that year of imprisonment in my last life. I often asked myself what I would do and what kind of person I would become if I could live again.

I wanted my own career and my own life. I would never depend on any man again. I would never sacrifice everything for 'family' again.

I contacted several designer friends in New Fay and Marise and began preparing to set up my personal brand. Although the Moretti family was part of the mafia, our legitimate businesses included high-end hotels and luxury goods trading, providing me with a solid business foundation.

One late night, a week after moving out, Vincenzo drunkenly called me while I was organizing design sketches.

"I'm at the club. Come here." His voice was thick with alcohol, and the background music was deafening. "Now."

"I've already moved out."

"Moved out?" He paused for a few seconds, then let out a mocking laugh. "You've finally learned your lesson? Realized you're not worthy of living in the Marino estate?"

I did not respond to his provocation.

In my last life, I would have cried bitterly over such humiliation. I would have proven my worth to him over and over again.

"Very good." His tone suddenly turned vicious, the alcohol exposing his true nature. "Since you're so sensible, go buy Adriana a million-dollar jewelry set as an apology gift. Then, get back to the estate and be my quiet fiancée. I don't want to hear any more complaints from you."

"I refuse," I said calmly, my fingers lightly brushing over the design sketches on the table. "I have a better proposal."

"What?"

"I'll leave Elgano, as you wish. We'll never see each other again."

With that, I ended the call.