The Offer: Love Me - Hate Me

Gianna pov

I’m dying, yet my husband just signed the waiver, choosing to give up the surgery that could save my life.

“Enough. Stick to my plan—no more surgeries on Gianna’s heart. Do your job and just keep her breath,” Marco's voice rang cold and commanding.

Dr. Levois hesitated, “Mr. DeLuca, the damage to Miss Moretti’s heart will be irreversible. I beg you to reconsider.”

“Are you working for me, or for Gianna?” Marco snapped.

“Forgive me, Mr. DeLuca.” Dr. Levois quickly apologized, “I’m just concerned about Miss Moretti’s family finding out about this later.”

Marco picked up a wet tissue and gently wiped my dry lips.

“Then don’t let her or her family find out. I’ll keep Gianna in my mansion, let her family think she's under my care—nothing will go wrong.”

His finger gently tapped my forehead, “Just rest easy, Gianna. I’ll take care of everything for you.”

I’d heard the whispers, the rumors about his cold, calculating nature, but I always laughed them off. To me, he had only been kind and gentle.

Never did I imagine he would turn those capabilities against me.

“And now, Gianna, you won’t mind if I bring Camilla to our wedding, will you?” he said, his tone almost casual. “I thought she could take your place.”

You’re giving up on me just to get me out of your way? Bringing your mistress to take my spot at our wedding?

Well, Marco, your heartless plan just keeps surprising me.

“Mr. DeLuca… wasn’t Miss Camilla Santoro already married?” Dr. Levois stammered.

“So?” Marco’s voice dropped.

“So this is over for Miss Moretti then?” Dr. Levois murmured. “You practically grew up with her. Are you going to give up on her?”

Yes, that’s right. Marco, are you really going to give up on me? Haven’t we grown up together? Didn’t you promise me you’d make me the happiest bride?

Suddenly, I heard the chilling click of a gun being loaded, and Marco’s voice shattered the silence.

“Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”

Dr. Levois’s voice trembled. “I’m sorry, Mr. DeLuca. I’ve overstepped.”

“Good.” Marco’s tone softened, “Now leave us.”

The man I had trusted with my heart, the one I thought I knew, had just made the decision to abandon the surgery that could have brought me back to life.

If only I could say through his persona earlier.

Marco made another phone call, his voice cold and detached. "Did you contact him? Yes, the one I sent to Gianna's negotiation meeting…He did his job—shot her right in the chest… Yes. Like we discussed, take care of him, make sure there's no evidence, and give his wife two million... The sooner, the better.”

So, the man who shot me was also part of Marco's plan?

From the moment he had casually mentioned the drug deal negotiation and said he was too busy to attend, expecting me to step in, his plan to get me out of his way started.

I couldn’t believe the depths of his scheme.

Then, I felt the soft press of a warm, damp towel against my face. Marco gently wiped my skin, then my arm, like a tender boyfriend.

The anger and shock began to fade, replaced by a sharp, bitter sense of absurdity.

As the daughter of mafias, I should have known better, or at least not been so damn naive.

I had seen enough of men to recognize the pattern. And now, I felt foolish for ever thinking Marco was different, that he was meant for me.

He was nothing but a lesson to be learnt. And overhearing what a true asshole he was felt like an unexpected reward.

Now, all that mattered for me was finding a way to escape.

My heart was suddenly racing, beating quicker than usual. As the monitor's beeping grew faster, Dr. Levois rushed in once more, calling out to Marco.

"Mr. DeLuca, Miss Moretti is in heart failure. We need to perform the second surgery immediately.”

Marco’s hands froze. "Do we have to?”

"Yes! If we don’t do it now, Miss Moretti will die.”

I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness again.

"Fine. Take her to the operating room.”

The nurse came and injected me with anesthesia.

The last thing I remembered was Marco’s disgusting lips on my forehead, his voice a low whisper in my ear, ”Babe, this will all be over soon.”

Damn right, this will be over soon, Marco.