Chapter 3

Raffaello had lived his entire life frugally. Every cent he owned went into helping orphans.

The diamond pendant on that necklace was tiny, but it was the only piece of jewelry he had ever bought for me after emptying his savings. After his death, it was all I had left of him.

Even if my love with Leopoldo had already rotted away, that necklace was my last remaining tie to family in this world. How could he give it to Elena?

I clenched my teeth through the pain, dragged myself out of bed, and went straight to Elena's place.

She was lounging on the bed, letting a maid feed her grapes one by one, all the while admiring the necklace with smug satisfaction.

The moment she saw me, her expression shifted. She instantly put on a pitiful act, clutched the necklace, and pressed it beneath her body. "Signora Conti, why are you here?"

My eyes were bloodshot as I held out my hand. "Leopoldo isn't here, so you can drop your act. I'm here to take the necklace back."

Elena's lips curved upward before smoothing back into place.

She barely moved her mouth, silently shaping the words for me to read. "That won't do. Don Vece likes me exactly like this."

Then tears welled up in her eyes. She shook her head weakly. "I can't give it to you. I was traumatized by the shooting, so Leopoldo gave me that necklace to comfort me.

"He's already given you so many things. Please don't fight me over this one."

"That's mine!" I snapped through clenched teeth. "If you want to seduce Leopoldo, that's your business. But that necklace was my father's coming-of-age gift for me. You can ask for anything else. This necklace isn't even worth much money.

"Give it back."

I stepped forward and reached for it.

But Elena suddenly twisted aside. Her lips curled as she silently mouthed another silent sentence. "If you want it so badly, catch it."

Then she flung the necklace straight out the window.

"No!"

I didn't think. I lunged forward on instinct.

The necklace vanished into the storm drain below, and I slammed hard onto the concrete.

When I woke up again, thick bandages were wrapped around my head, and pain locked my body in place.

Leopoldo didn't stand. He just sat beside the bed, his brows drawn together. "Do you have to jump from a building for a necklace?"

I said hoarsely, "That was the only piece of jewelry my father ever gave me. Why did you give it to Elena?"

Leopoldo paused, then waved it off casually. "She was shaken. None of the jewelry I picked out appealed to her. She only liked that one.

"Besides, you never even wore it. It's just a necklace. Once Raffaello recovers, you can ask him for as many as you want."

Just a necklace?

I never wore it because I treasured it too much and couldn't bear the thought of losing it.

Leopoldo knew nothing.

All his attention was on Elena. Even now, he still didn't know Raffaello was already dead. He didn't know that I would never receive another gift from him.

My chest felt as though it were being crushed. My lips trembled, but no words came out.

Leopoldo mistook my silence for guilt. He stood and said lightly, "Alright. If you like it that much, I'll buy two identical ones. One for each of you.

"Elena was so frightened by you that she's been saying strange things. She's hospitalized too. I'm going to check on her."

Before I could respond, his footsteps were already fading away.

He left without hesitation.

A week later, I was finally discharged.

As expected, Leopoldo wasn't home.

It was better that way since I didn't need to avoid anyone. I packed quickly.

The drawers and closets were filled with couture dresses, handbags, and jewelry Leopoldo had given me over the years.

Back then, he had chosen every gift with care. He used to say, "Family affairs matter, but so does every detail of your life."

What he once felt for me had been real, and the fact that it was gone now was just as real.

None of the gifts were worth taking with me anymore.

I took only what I had brought with me before the marriage, packed quickly, and stepped out of the room. But on the way out, I ran straight into Elena.

Her eyes were red as she hurried over and grabbed my arm. "Signora Conti, please don't force me to donate my kidney right now..."

I shook her off, baffled. "What are you trying to do this time?"

Her pitiful expression vanished instantly, replaced by a cold smile. "So you noticed."

Then she stepped backward and deliberately threw herself down the stairs before shouting, "Signora Conti, don't!"

Her scream reached Leopoldo just as he arrived home.

"Lucia, what did you do?" Leopoldo roared, sprinting over and scooping Elena into his arms.

The staircase wasn't tall, and she wasn't even bleeding.

Yet she was drenched in tears and curled up in Leopoldo's arms like a frightened kitten. Her small hand clutched his sleeve, her face twisted as if she were on the verge of death.

"I'm sorry. Signora Conti wants me to donate my kidney right now, but I'm really not ready."