Chapter 2

On the day of my birthday celebration, Giovanni didn't show up until most of the elders had already left. He strolled in, arm in arm with Eleanor.

Eleanor's cheeks were flushed, and her steps were unsteady. Giovanni wore a satisfied look, and red marks were clearly visible on his neck.

It was obvious to everyone what they had just done.

The old me from my previous life would've burst into tears right then and there. I would've confronted them, demanding to know why they would do something like this.

It was my birthday, after all.

One of them was the man I had chased for five years. In all of Velmont's underworld, everyone knew he was supposed to be my fiance.

The other was my adopted sister, the second daughter of the Vinci family, whom my parents raised as if she were their own.

And yet, the two of them went behind my back and started an affair without a shred of shame. Did they ever once stop to think how I might feel?

But now, I merely glanced at them and continued my conversation.

Giovanni caught my gaze and immediately moved Eleanor behind him, waiting for me to lash out.

When I didn't react, he looked almost disappointed. He shoved Eleanor aside and stepped up to me with a sneer. "What's this, Estella? Playing it cool because you're afraid I'll call off the engagement?

"Good. That's how it should be. I'm set to inherit the Carlo family. Do you really think I will waste my life on a fool like you?

"Of course, I'll need beautiful women around to pass the time. Since you're being so understanding, take this as your reward," Giovanni said.

He pulled out a small jewelry box as he spoke.

Eleanor chimed in with admiration. "Isn't this bracelet the highlight of the auction the other night? Papa bought Estella so many jewels. Giovanni, you really do spoil her."

Giovanni pulled his hand back at once. "Eleanor, whatever your sister has, you deserve the same. She has more than enough. This one's yours."

Eleanor hesitated, glancing at me. "But it was supposed to be her birthday gift…"

Giovanni's tone softened as he looked at her. "Take it. If she's marrying me, then she has to follow my rules. If I say it's yours, it's yours. I'll protect you and won't let her bully you again."

Then he turned to me and said coldly, "The bracelet's hers now. You don't have a problem with that, do you? I've already agreed to marry you, so don't push your luck."

The moment those words left his mouth, mocking laughter rippled through the crowd. Every chuckle felt like a knife to the heart.

It had always been like this.

I had been willing to throw away my dignity as long as I could be with him. I was the eldest daughter of the Vinci family, yet I groveled at his feet like I had no self-respect.

Once, I delivered a letter to the Carlo family on a stormy day.

He casually tossed me a coat, and I held onto it for years. Whenever I missed him to the point of madness, I would press it to my face just to breathe in the lingering scent.

When he eventually found out, he spat at me in disgust. "Estella, you're such a desperate vixen. Don't you have any shame?"

He crushed my dignity without hesitation, yet I only worried about the beating he got when Uncle Michael overheard.

Afterward, he exaggerated everything and spread the story around.

For a while, people saw me as nothing more than a vixen with no shame.

But if I was a vixen, what were the two of them? Still walking around with the marks of what they'd just done—nothing but a disgusting pair with no self-control. I couldn't even look at them without feeling sick.

Just as I turned to leave, Giovanni stopped me.

"What's wrong? Couldn't keep up the act? I knew it. A jealous woman like you was never going to pull off being gracious."

He grabbed my wrist, but I yanked it free.

"Mr. Carlo, I'd appreciate some respect," I said flatly.

He scoffed. "First, you fake grace, now you act all virtuous? Haven't you always wanted me to touch you? Don't come crawling into my bed later, begging me to ignore how much you disgust me."

I couldn't take it anymore and cut him off. "I'll say it again, Mr. Carlo. Show some respect. I never said I'd marry you."

As soon as I finished speaking, the room fell completely silent.

A wave of laughter erupted soon after.

"Oh really? Then who are you going to marry? Everyone in the Velmont underworld knows how you've been obsessed with me. Who else would even want you?"

He paused, as if a thought had just struck him. "Oh, wait, maybe my youngest brother Salvatore wouldn't mind."

After a brief silence, a nastier grin crept across his face.

"He nearly ended up paralyzed from an ambush by a rival family. He's been sickly ever since.

"I heard he can't even function as a man anymore. No woman's willing to marry him. A woman nobody wants and a cripple nobody dares to touch. The two of you make a perfect match."