Chapter 2

After the territories were chosen, Mamma and Papa transferred a sum of money to both Clara and me, summoning me back out of my room.

Clara clung to Papa's sleeve, acting like the spoiled daughter with a look of feigned grievance.

"But Papa, this is my first time taking on the Famiglia business… How am I supposed to manage without any connections? And what if I run into danger?"

Papa thought it over for a moment before assigning two Capos and ten Soldatas to accompany her in Millano.

Clara nodded in satisfaction before turning to look at me. "How much money is on your card?"

I glanced down at my phone and replied calmly, "200 dollars."

She burst into laughter and patted me on the shoulder, putting on a show of sisterly affection. She said, "That's okay. You can come to Millano with us. Giulio, Nicolo, and I will all help you out."

Mamma added, "The two million dollars and the Capos we gave you are meant to help you build your own influence in Millano, Clara. We wouldn't feel safe with you there by yourself."

Then, Mamma gave me a once-over with a disdainful look. "As for you, you'll never be able to measure up to Clara. You still haven't made any progress after all these years. You're such a huge disappointment to me.

"If things still don't change after going to Millano with them, we won't be handing over any Famiglia responsibilities to you."

Clara quickly spoke up for me.

"Mamma, Julia works just as hard too. She's just not that bright. It's already a great achievement that she managed to graduate at all!"

I didn't feel the slightest bit of gratitude toward Clara for her words. I simply remained calm and composed.

Every time Mamma or Papa criticized me, Clara would always "defend" me like this, but it would only result in even harsher criticism from them.

Just as I expected, Mamma pulled Clara into her arms with a look of tender sympathy on her face.

"You're really the sensible, well-behaved one after all, Clara."

I didn't bother watching their display of mother-daughter affection and turned to leave. But just as I turned, Giulio arrived with gifts for Clara and me.

Clara tore hers open and saw a car key lying inside the box. She shrieked with excitement and jumped to her feet before throwing herself into his arms.

"It's for the limited-edition red sports car I've always wanted! Thank you, Giulio! I absolutely love it! You're the best brother in the whole wide world!"

Nicolo broke into a grin and ruffled her hair. "Giulio ordered it three months in advance as a surprise for you."

I glanced to the side and silently estimated the price of the car. Then, I opened my gift. It was also a key, but it was for a secondhand scooter. It wasn't even worth as much as the spare tire on Clara's car.

I was also Giulio's younger sister, yet nothing he gave me was ever of equal value to what he gave Clara. I had once burst into tears and asked him why he only liked her and not me, but he merely shot me an impatient look before walking off.

After asking him about it multiple times to no avail, I eventually stopped asking.

I stuffed the key into my back pocket, thanked him, and headed toward the door.

When Clara saw it, she grabbed my arm and asked, "Julia, don't you like the gift Giulio gave you? If you don't, I don't mind giving mine to you."

Although she said that, she still subtly hid the key behind her back.

"Don't worry about it. I like mine very much," I said with a smile before turning to leave.

I heard Giulio complaining loudly behind me. "Julia's always like that, acting upset and ungrateful even after I gave her a gift. Whatever. Who cares about her anyway."

Nicolo shook his head and said, "Julia's always had a horrible temper. Just ignore her."

I quickened my steps, afraid of hearing anything more from them. I returned to my room alone while the rest of them stayed in the living room, discussing the business in Millano that Clara was about to take over.

When it was time for dinner, I reemerged at the dining table, where they were still happily discussing their plans. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful, but my arrival spoiled the mood.

Papa frowned. "Where did you go off to without a word just now? We were all here celebrating Clara, and you were just wandering elsewhere in the estate?"

I glanced at the dining table. It was laid out with all of Clara's favorite dishes. I had once told Mamma that I didn't like those particular dishes, but she had frowned and called me immature. She then lectured me about how the dinner menu shouldn't cater to one person's tastes.

Yet Mamma didn't care for some of the dishes Clara liked, and she still accommodated Clara anyway.

Apparently, my preferences didn't matter, but Clara's did.

I said calmly, "I don't like these dishes."

Papa looked at me. "If you can't even endure this bit of unpleasantness, Julia, then how do you expect to take over the Famiglia business later?

"Look at Clara! She'd never behave like you."

I wanted to tell him that it was because none of the food Clara disliked would ever appear on the table, but I ultimately said nothing. After all, I'd said those words far too many times in the past, and saying them again wouldn't have made a difference anyway.

In the end, I simply left in silence and went back to my room to continue packing.