Chapter 1

Rumors had it that Giovanni Alonzi was a ruthless yet strikingly handsome man with a sinister demeanor.

Years ago, however, he was ambushed by enemies, which left his face disfigured and his body frail.

His temperament grew volatile and unpredictable, striking fear into all who heard his name.

Recently, doctors have concluded that his condition was deteriorating and that he was unlikely to survive beyond next spring.

In an attempt to bring him fortune and ensure the continuation of the Alonzi family line, the Alonzis announced, "All unmarried women of appropriate age in Monteverde must participate in a lottery, and the chosen one will become Giovanni's wife."

The moment the news broke, Riccardo rushed to propose, urging me to marry him that very same day.

We had grown up together, were already engaged, and had planned to wed this year.

Yet, on the very day we were to register our marriage, a household staff member drugged me with sleeping pills.

When I woke up, Elena had become Riccardo's lawful wife.

Furious, I stormed into the bar to confront Riccardo. But just outside the private room, I overheard him talking to a friend.

"Riccardo, what a ruthless move! You're engaged to Marcella, but you've actually registered your marriage with Elena. If Marcella refuses to marry Giovanni, she'll have no choice but to silently accept being your mistress.

"With that, you've got both sisters right under your control. It's like having a double share of bliss without lifting a finger."

Riccardo chuckled softly. "To protect both of them, I had to use some tactics. Marcella has always been proud and arrogant, so there's no way she'd ever let Elena marry me. If she found out, she'd make Elena's life miserable.

"She's not like Elena at all, who's so tolerant and understanding. Don't worry, I'll go pick Marcella up in three days."

On the night of Riccardo and Elena's marriage registration, I received a letter from the Alonzi family. It was a betrothal agreement and betrothal gifts list, with my name boldly inscribed in the bride's slot.

Through the crack in the private room door, I watched Riccardo clink glasses with his friends.

"Elena is gentle and understanding, so she won't mind if I'm with Marcella," Riccardo said with smug satisfaction.

My brother, Gabriele Ricci, stood up and patted Riccardo's shoulder. In a low voice, he said, "Elena has gone through a lot all these years living away from home. It wasn't until her Madre passed away that she was brought back to the family.

"I need to properly compensate her. Marcella has been pampered since young and has a rather spoiled temper. Not to mention, her attitude toward Elena has always been somewhat dismissive.

"Having Elena take Marcella's place to marry you is both a way to save her and a gesture of amends from Marcella and me."

I tightly clutched the pocket watch Riccardo had given me years ago as a token of our love. The sharp edges of its ornamentation dug into my palm, and blood slowly seeped out.

Did it hurt? Compared to the betrayal of those closest to me, this pain wasn't even one ten-thousandth of what I felt.

So, all of this was a scheme between Gabriele and Riccardo. Their goal was to elevate Elena, the illegitimate daughter, to my position, while I, the rightful Ricci heiress, was reduced to the other woman!

I hurled the pocket watch to the ground with all my strength.

Riccardo stepped out of the private room and, seeing the blood-stained, shattered watch on the floor, frowned.

He quickly took my hand and asked with a voice full of concern, "How could you be so careless? Does your hand still hurt?"

Then, he pulled a wet wipe from his pocket and carefully wiped the blood from my hand.

"Why must you always be so impulsive?" he asked softly.

Looking at Riccardo before me, I felt a wave of disorientation.

We grew up together, had long been engaged, and were supposed to be a match made in heaven. But ever since Elena was brought back home, my wedding had been delayed again and again.

If we had already registered our marriage, I wouldn't have been forced to marry Giovanni, who was rumored to be sinister and cruel.

At that thought, I sharply shook off Riccardo's hand.

Riccardo knew I was hurt, so he patiently tried to comfort me, "I know you're angry that Elena married me in your place. But could you really expect me to just stand by and do nothing?

"If Elena had married Giovanni, her life would've been ruined. Look at it this way—you and I are still publicly engaged, and Elena and I have already registered our marriage. The Alonzi family won't dare to target either of you now.

"Isn't this a win-win situation? Be reasonable, Marcella. Elena is magnanimous, so I promise that even after marrying her, I'll love you just as I did before. Three days from now, once the wedding with Elena is over, I'll come to be with you."

A cold smirk curled at the corner of my lips. After all these years together, I finally saw his true colors. But it was already too late.

On the very night of Riccardo and Elena's marriage registration, the Alonzi family had already delivered the lottery result to me.

In three days, I would marry Giovanni, the man rumored to be on the brink of death, as a tool for fortune-bringing and childbearing.

I picked up the shattered pocket watch and tossed it into Riccardo's hands, my voice icy. "Since you've already married Elena, you should focus on building a life with her from now on.

"You will only be my brother-in-law, and we are finished! You're hardly worthy of having me as your mistress!"

Riccardo's expression darkened. "Marcella, don't take my kindness for granted," he said coldly. "Though it's somewhat unfair for you to be my mistress, isn't it still better than marrying a dying man? Unsurprisingly, you truly lack even half the gentleness Elena possesses."

Watching Riccardo turn and leave with that cold, indifferent air, I felt as if my heart were being torn apart.

The Riccardo who once cherished me, protected me, and promised to love only me forever was gone. And in his heart, Elena had completely taken over my place.

No sooner had Riccardo left than members of the Alonzi family arrived at my home with several carloads of betrothal gifts.

The head butler, Matteo Luca, announced loudly to Gabriele, "In three days, Mr. Alonzi will personally come to escort Ms. Ricci."