The Lies They Told in Sicily

Over the next few days, the wind sweeping through Sicily carried the chill of early spring. It cut through layers of clothing and seeped straight into your bones.I stood on the top floor of an abandoned factory, wind rushing through the broken windows. From somewhere below, the dull sounds of fists and kicks echoed faintly through the empty structure.Paolo held out a cigarette to me. I lifted my hand and pushed it away.“No. Mark doesn’t like it when I smoke.”Then, I turned to him. “By the way, look into the woman Mark brought back last night.”“You want to investigate the Don’s woman?” Paolo asked. “Eliza, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. The Don won’t be happy if he finds out.”“And if I insist? Paolo, are you helping me or not?”He sighed. “Eliza, you’re my friend. Of course I’ll help you. But let me tell you something: you’re the smartest woman I’ve ever met, so you should understand better than anyone that love is the last thing that should exist in our world.”He shov

I was dizzy from his kiss. Unintentionally, our eyes met, and in those deep, dark orbs, fragments of starlight shimmered. Even his smile carried a dangerous charm.I lowered my gaze and finally pushed him away.“Are you angry?” He pinched my cheek, his tone teasing. “I missed your birthday, and now you’re a little hissing cat?”“You’re the cat…” I couldn’t help snapping back.However, he nuzzled the side of my neck with his nose. “You’re a crazy, fierce, and stubborn woman, and yet, you fascinate me.”Before I could respond, he lifted me onto the marble countertop and bent down to kiss me again.The broth on the stove was still bubbling, but he kissed with urgency and intensity. My breath came in quick, shallow gasps as I clutched his jacket tightly. When he finally let go, a smile lingered in his eyes, but there was no trace of desire.“Do you know why I brought Lillian back with this wound?”He pulled out a photograph and handed it to me. I took it, and my eyes widened instan

I barely slept that night. By the time I got up the next morning, Mark was already gone. I took a shower, trying to calm myself down. The deal Mark mentioned was scheduled for midnight at the port of Genoa, so I still had time to prepare. However, I first had to figure out two things.The first thing I had to figure out was who Lilian was. If she really were Mark’s weakness, then revenge would be simple. However, if she wasn’t, then she was targeting me, trying to drive me away from him. Her true purpose remained a mystery.The second thing was to figure out whether my identity had been exposed, and that worried me the most. Mark was cunning and ruthless, and no one could predict his next move. Everyone in the family feared him because he could smile at you while sending you to meet your maker.My father, on his deathbed, had gripped my hand and said, “Make sure the Carillo family pays for every drop of blood.”For that promise, I had spent six years in the shadows, enduring the gn

However, Mark left in the end.Did that mean it was over for me? No. Never. I pressed my back against the wall, forcing myself to stay calm, but I couldn’t give up. I tapped the railing, thinking through my situation.The truth was, I didn’t even know if Lilian had really lied to him. What I said earlier was just a gamble. Mark was suspicious by nature. If he doubted Lilian for even a second, I would have my chance.Three days later, Ron yanked me up by my hair.“Get up. Bill’s taking you for a medical check. After all, if your organs aren’t good, they won’t sell for much. But don’t worry,” he added casually, “you can survive with one kidney…”With that, I was shoved into a car.I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything for days, so my mind was foggy, and nightmares kept tearing through me. In my dreams, I saw my fiancé, Vito, collapsing, my father being murdered, and my first kill in front of Mark.That day, I had killed my father’s Consigliere with my own hands, just to gain Mark’s t

Mark took me back to his cliffside estate. Everything seemed like it had returned to the way it was, yet somehow it was different.He never let anyone stay here, but holding me close, he said, “From now on, this is your home– No, our home.”I also saw Lillian one last time. She was being held back, her face twisted, screaming wildly, “Don! I love you! You can’t do this to me! She’s the traitor! You can’t trust her, Mark! You’ll regret it! She doesn’t love you. She’s been lying to you all along!”The moment Mark heard the word “traitor,” his expression changed instantly. He grabbed an antique vase from the table and smashed it across Lilian’s face. I shivered beside him, unable to hide it.He immediately turned to me, pulling me into his arms, whispering, “Eliza, don’t be afraid. It’s over now.”He kissed my neck and shoulders, his eyes almost desperate. “You love me… don’t you?”I didn’t answer. Yet, he held me for a long, long time.Mark treated me very well, so well that it am