Chapter 2

Hearing this, I couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.

He was the one who said he had his own life and didn't want to be tied down by family duties.

So why was he acting like I abandoned him?

"Why would I tell you?"

He choked on his words. A vein popped on his forehead as he spoke with a cold face, "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to travel alone? The Family has enemies everywhere. If something happens to you, who's going to save you?"

"Don't flatter yourself," I shot back. "Your biggest weakness is standing right next to you. They'd be stupid to kidnap me when they could just take her."

Sloane's face stiffened. Julian gritted his teeth in anger. "Aria, you're being unreasonable! I'm worrying about you!"

Just then, a sudden ringtone interrupted our fight.

The screen flashed "Mother".

It was Julian's mom, my adoptive mother.

Julian took a deep breath and answered.

In just a few seconds, his already impatient face grew darker. He furrowed his brows deeply, throwing complicated glances at me.

I didn't even need to hear the conversation to know what she was saying.

Before I left, I left my adoptive mother a message thanking her for twelve years of care. She must have seen it. Driven by the guilt over my dead parents, she was forcing her son to go to Amalfi to protect me.

He hung up and shoved his phone into his pocket in frustration.

He looked at me with complex eyes and sighed heavily, looking for a way out.

"Looks like I still can't shake you off." He looked away, his tone awkward but harsh. "My mom insists I look after you. Fine, Amalfi, right? Change of plans. I'm coming with you. Just so you don't get into trouble out there and get me yelled at."

I froze.

If this were the past, I would have cried tears of joy hearing those words.

When I was six, my parents were gunned down by a rival syndicate to cover the escape of the current Don and Donna.

My mind completely broke back then. I would scream the moment the lights went out.

It was my adoptive mother, eyes red, who forced a young Julian to kneel before the cross and swear a blood oath: "You will protect Aria with your life, for the rest of your life."

From six to eighteen, he was my whole world. My absolute reliance.

Our bond made everyone in the Family assume that Aria would eventually become the Donna of the Valerius Family.

Whenever the elders teased us about when we'd get engaged, the always-cold Julian would secretly blush, awkwardly swapping his cut steak for mine.

But all of this was completely shattered in the last three months of college.

Sloane showed up. A girl who loved street racing and lived for the thrill.

At first, Julian scoffed at this crazy girl.

Until one day, at the Family's underground shooting range, Sloane held a gun with one hand and smoothly shot a perfect bullseye.

That bullet didn't just hit the target; it pierced right through Julian's heart.

He started pulling Sloane into our inner circle.

He started ignoring me out of habit. He even broke his promise to be my date for the graduation prom.

He left me alone at the entrance of the prom to go bail out Sloane's nobody friend at an underground casino, making me the laughingstock of the whole school.

Twelve years of history. Wiped out by three months of a fatal attraction.

The feeling of being abandoned by the whole world gnawed at my heart.

A wave of nausea rose in my throat. I violently pulled my drifting thoughts back.

"No need." I took a deep breath, looking at the man in front of me whose face screamed 'forced'. My voice was totally clear. "I'll call her myself. I'll tell her I want to be alone and I don't need you trailing after me."

Since I decided to cut ties, I was going to cut them clean.

Julian paused. He clearly didn't expect me to reject his "charity".

But he scoffed, turned his head, and showed me the successful booking confirmation on his phone.

Amalfi.

"Can't help it." He gave a self-deprecating smirk to Sloane, his eyes full of indulgence. "My mom gave a strict order. If I don't watch over her, I can kiss the Southside docks goodbye. Looks like I have to go."

Sloane instantly pouted, naturally wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Fine." she sighed dramatically. "Who told you to be such a responsible big brother? For you, I don't mind suffering a bit. I'll follow your lead."

They smiled at each other. The thick, flirtatious tension between them almost drowned me.

I stood there, watching this performance with cold eyes.

How ridiculous.

I wasn't just an unwanted burden anymore. I was a prop in their twisted love story. A tool they used to prove their devotion to each other.

I lowered my head, refusing to look at them anymore. I quietly unlocked my phone and tapped open the AI app.

They were completely wrapped up in each other, as if I didn't exist.

"Ran into some trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" The AI replied in seconds.

"Supposed to be a solo trip. Now it's a forced party of three."

Silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then:

"That's a damn shame."