LOGINThree months later, my sister could finally walk with a cane.The doctor said she'd regain about 70 percent of the use of her right arm.But her legs were too badly hurt. She'd never be able to stand for long, and she'd have to stay out of the cold.My sister listened, then looked down at her legs.I thought she'd be upset.Instead, she tossed her cane aside."If I can't stand for long, I'll just sit."You're rich anyway, Sera."I picked up the cane and tapped her leg with it."Throw it again, and no tiramisu tonight."She immediately latched onto my arm."You're the best, Sera."My hand slipped just now."I shot her a look."Tsk. Three years apart, and you've gotten shameless."Dario came in and set the last file on the table.After my father was banished, his enemies took over his overseas businesses, and no one knew where he'd gone.Before her execution, Sophia was still screaming for my mother to save her.The day my mother was sent to the convent, her hair went white overnight.Sh
Nick stood in front of my sister, looking panicked for the first time."Lina, I didn't know the truth."They lied to me."If you stay, you're still the Donna."I'll have Sophia executed, and I'll have a doctor treat your injuries."My sister looked at him."The first time I was beaten, where were you?"Nick faltered."That day Sophia said you'd pushed her into the water.""And the second time?""She said you'd poisoned her tea.""And the 30th lash?"Nick opened his mouth.My sister answered for him, "You said if it didn't hurt, I'd never learn the rules."Nick went deathly pale.My sister's voice stayed soft."The day I was locked up, I waited for you to come and ask me what happened."I waited until dark. You never came."Later, I cut my wrists and had a maid go get you."You said I was playing games again."Nick, you had plenty of chances to find out the truth."But every single time, you chose to believe Sophia over me."Nick reached out to touch her.She took a step back, behind me
My father collapsed onto the floor."Impossible."You gave the token to Lina back then!"I crouched in front of him."I said I was leaving the Reapers to her."I never said I was giving up command."What little color was left in my father's face disappeared.Even three years ago, I'd known my parents favored my sister.But I'd assumed that was only because she was so gentle.I'd been afraid she'd be bullied once she married into the Falcone family, so I'd put the Reapers' outer circle under my family's command.But real command had always stayed with me.Without this ring, no one could command the Reapers' core members.After my father tricked my sister into handing over the fake token, he told Nick the Reapers were plotting a rebellion.17 members who refused to fall in line died in the crackdown.The rest scattered and went into hiding, waiting for me to come back.Dario tossed a ledger at my father's feet."We found this in the hidden room at your house."70 percent of Angelina's do
Nick snatched the medical file.The further he read, the darker his expression grew.The file stated clearly that Sophia had never been pregnant.She'd bribed a doctor to fake her pregnancy test results.She'd also had her personal maid prepare a blood bag to hide under her skirt.On the day Sophia fell down the stairs, she'd deliberately provoked my sister.Before my sister could even touch her, Sophia threw herself down the stairs and burst the blood bag.Nick looked up."This is fake."Sophia cried out, seizing on his doubt. "Angelina hates me. She and Seraphina are working together to frame me!"My sister leaned against me and said softly, "The file has that doctor's signature, in his own handwriting."And every transfer can be traced back to its source."Nick, didn't you want proof?"Now the proof's in your hands."Nick gripped the file tight."If you had this all along, why didn't you give it to me?"My sister gave a small laugh."I did."You destroyed it."Nick froze.My sister
My mother clung to my pant leg."Lina's lost her mind."She hurt Sophia's baby, and she tried to kill Nick."We locked her up to save her!"I kicked open the cellar door."Where is she?"My mother still tried to stop me.But Sophia suddenly shouted, "Angelina's already dead!"Everything went dead silent.I slowly turned my head.Sophia seemed to think she'd finally found my weak spot, and a gleam of satisfaction lit her eyes."Three days ago, she couldn't take the torture anymore and gave up a list of where the remaining Reapers were hiding."What use is someone that pathetic?"Nick's head snapped toward her."What list?"Sophia's face changed."Nick, I only heard about it from one of the men."I never interrogated Angelina."I didn't bother asking again.My blade flashed past Sophia's cheek and buried itself in the wall.A lock of her hair drifted to the floor.She screamed in terror.I'd already jumped down into the cellar.There was no wine inside, only a stone staircase leading und
My mother stared at me, her lips trembling."You're not dead?"I rested the tip of the knife on her shoulder."You sound disappointed I'm alive, Mom."My mother shook her head frantically."No, I'm just so surprised."When you were 'assassinated,' I thought you'd never come back."I smiled."Assassinated?"The hitman you hired for that little show was carrying live rounds."Panic crossed my mother's face.My father cut in immediately."That's nonsense!"Sera, the moment you're back, you storm the estate with a knife and pretend to be Lina so you can hurt Sophia."You've obviously lost your mind!"I glanced sideways at him."The bullet went half an inch wide and struck my charm."Want to guess why I'm not dead, Dad?"My father went quiet.I knew something was wrong when I saw how the assassination was set up.My parents said it was all an act, but behind my back they'd hired a real killer.They were afraid that if I left alive, I might come back someday.They'd never wanted me to disapp







