The Lot He Never Drew

Dante Rossi told me for the sixth time that he failed to draw a fortunate lot and could not marry me. He asked me to wait another year. I simply nodded calmly and said, "Okay."

The words of persuasion seemed to catch in his throat. He stared at me in surprise. "Cece, are you angry?"

He sighed and pulled me tightly into his arms. "You know how luck works. Maybe next year, I'll finally draw it!"

I buried my head against his chest as tears streamed down my face.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

If I had not overheard his conversation with Marco Valentino two hours ago, I would have foolishly believed that his failure to draw a fortunate lot for the past six years was truly just bad luck. However, I finally knew the truth.

All of it was deliberate. For Livia Greco's sake, he had deceived me for five whole years.

Five years ago, Dante brought Livia back to the estate and personally arranged the finest accommodation for her. He told me, "Livia's father died saving me. I have to repay him. His daughter, Livia, grew up in Scampia, a small village. I brought her back so that she could see the world."

At the time, I thought nothing of it. I only felt grateful Livia's father had saved Dante's life. Hence, I never imagined she would make such an outrageous request of him. Even more unthinkable was that Dante actually agreed to her absurd demand.

"What do you mean? I'm just having some bad luck. Next year, I'll draw it for sure!"

His tone carried such certainty as if everything remained within his control.

Of course, I understood why. However, after today, we would have nothing to do with each other.

The day before the drawing, Giuseppe Caruso from the Rossi family sought me out.

"This is Dante's last chance to freely choose his marriage. If he still fails to draw a fortunate lot, it proves your marriage isn't blessed by God Himself. According to the Rossi family law, he will no longer have the right to choose his own marriage partner."

At this point, Elder Giuseppe gave me a meaningful look. "It's been six years. You should prepare yourself. If you can't marry Dante, you won't escape the fate of an arranged marriage either.

"I've watched you grow up since you were a child. I'll make an exception and give you a choice."

He gave me priority selection rights, along with a list of eligible marriage candidates from various families.

That day, I fought against his arrangements. I told him with absolute certainty that Dante would draw a fortunate lot this time and we would marry soon.

Reality slapped me hard in the face. The conversation I overheard afterward made me give up completely.

Dante was about to make more promises when the bedroom door burst open.

Livia poked her head inside and stuck out her tongue playfully. "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't wait any longer."

She waved frantically at Dante without sparing me a single glance. "Dante, the driver's here! We need to leave now!"

"Coming!"

Dante released me and explained apologetically, "Livia wants one of the new bags. Of course, I won't forget yours. I already reserved the one you like!"

He grabbed my hand to pull me along, but I gently pushed him away. "I'm not feeling well. You two go ahead."

Dante looked displeased at my refusal, but under Livia's urging, he only said hastily, "Don't be angry. I'll bring your gift back."

The words were directed at me, but his eyes never left Livia. They were filled with a tenderness he himself had not noticed.

Watching the car disappear into the distance, I dialed Elder Giuseppe's number. "I accept the arranged marriage you proposed."

Unlike my fierce resistance before, I willingly accepted his arrangement this time.