Chapter one

They say love can mend a broken man… but what happens when the woman who fixed him is the one left shattered?

For six years, Lucia Bianchi gave her heart, her youth, and her dreams to a family that wasn’t hers by blood — yet hers in every way that mattered. She rebuilt a home, held two children close to her chest, and stood beside a man who only remembered her when it was convenient.

But tonight, as the lights shine on her family rise to power, Lucia will learn a truth she never prepared for —

sometimes the deepest betrayal doesn’t come from an enemy… but from the people you love the most.

And when a stepmother finally decides to walk away, the world she held together with her bare hands begins to crumble.

Because in a world that values blood over loyalty, being a stepmother was never enough.

~~~~~~~~~~

Evening in Milano

The Marchesi Corporation’s celebration party was already in full swing. Laughter spread around the hall as glasses clinked and people threw compliments up and down without holding back.

At the center of the crowd stood Leonardo Marchesi, the man everybody had gathered to celebrate. A man whose family once fell from grace, but who had dragged himself back up with his bare hands.

He had rebuilt the collapsing Marchesi Corporation from scratch and even taken it public again. That kind of achievement naturally earned him endless praise.

“Congratulations, Mr. Marchesi.

You’re truly young and accomplished. I look forward to working with you.”

“Mr. Marchesi, not only is your career shining, but your family life looks perfect too. My wife always says a good partner at home is everything. You’re a lucky man.”

Of course they were envious.

Leo’s wife had taken up the role of stepmother at a young age and raised his two children like her own. What man would not admire that?

The moment his wife was mentioned, Leo—who had been enjoying all the attention—allowed his eyes to wander around the hall.

Across the room, his wife, Lucia, stood tall and elegant in a sleek black evening gown. She was the one who planned every detail of the event one month in advance.

And even with all the stress, she never neglected the children for one day. Now that the kids were growing well and his business had finally stabilized, Leo knew deep down that none of it would have been possible without Lucia.

Just then, Lucia walked toward him with the twins beside her and linked her arm gently with his.

Compliments rose from all angles.

“Mr. and Mrs. Marchesi, with their two adorable children, look like the perfect picture of a happy family.”

“They’re truly blessed!”

Lucia smiled graciously. “You’re all too kind. Thank you for supporting Leonardo all these years. We hope to—”

Before she could finish, a surprised voice came from the entrance.

“Lorenza? You’re Lorenza Taddei, right?”

A security guard stepped forward. “Signora Milano, this woman has been hanging around since. Do you know her?”

The voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through all the noise. Everyone heard it.

Lucia's heart skipped immediately when the name Lorenza Taddei landed in her ears.

Before she could even react, her arm suddenly became empty.

Leo had already moved. He was walking fast toward the door, tension on his face and a strange flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

Lorenza Taddei?

How many women carried that exact name?

And how many would just appear here of all places?

At the entrance, a guard was holding a woman by the arm.

“Who are you? Do you have an invitation?”

“Let me go!” the woman snapped.

Leo's voice cut sharply through the air. “Leave her.”

Guests turned their heads immediately.

Everybody knew that name — Lorenza Taddei.

She was Leo's childhood sweetheart, the woman he once planned to marry. More importantly, she was the birth mother of the two children Lucia had raised.

“Lorenza? Is it really you?”

Leo grabbed her arm like she was something precious he thought he lost.

The worry and shock on his face didn’t escape Lucia's notice. Her chest tightened painfully.

“Leo, I… I just missed the kids,” Lorenza said in a trembling voice. “So I came to see them. I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I’m sorry… I’m really sorry…”

In her simple clothes and with red, tired eyes, Lorenza stared at the twins standing beside Lucia. The quiet longing on her face struck everyone watching.

Seeing her like that, Leo felt something stab his heart sharply.

He remembered her as the bold, fearless girl who was always laughing. Nothing like the fragile woman standing here now. He stared at her as if she would vanish again if he blinked.

“Where have you been all these years?” he asked, voice low.

A heavy silence fell across the hall.

“Who’s that woman Mr. Marchesi is holding? Is she his mistress?” someone whispered.

“No… that’s Lorenza. She used to be the heiress of the Taddei family. When the financial crash happened, both the Marchesi and Taddei families fell. She and Mr. Marchesi were engaged, but after giving birth to the twins, she disappeared. Their wedding never happened.”

“Wait—she’s the biological mother of the twins? Then Mrs. Marchesi…”

Every eye slowly turned to Lucia.

She held the children’s hands tightly as she watched her husband nearly forget she existed—all because of another woman.

“I… I was very sick after giving birth,” Lorenza murmured. “We were struggling. I didn’t want to drag you down. I know it was wrong to leave without a word… but the kids are innocent. Now that you’re doing well, please take good care of them.”

To anybody listening, it sounded like she was accusing Lucia—the stepmother—of not treating the children well.

Leo frowned. Sick after birth? She left because she didn’t want to be a burden?

Lorenza pulled her arm away gently. “I should go. Leo, let me leave.”

“Stay,” he said firmly.

The crowd reacted quietly at once.

Most eyes drifted toward Lucia again.

But what could she do?

Lorenza was the biological mother of the twins. Nobody could change that.

Nina Marchesi, the older twin, tugged Lucia's dress lightly. “Mummy, who is that lady Daddy is hugging?”

Nico, the younger twin, frowned. “Why is Daddy holding another lady?”

Because the room was so quiet, every guest heard the questions clearly.

Leo paused as if something just clicked. Then he said, “Everyone, thank you for coming. It’s late already. I’ll invite you all over again another day.”

“Oh, of course, Mr. Marchesi. We’ll take our leave.”

As the guests left quickly, Leo turned around, wiped the tears from Lorenza’s face gently, and said:

“Don’t cry. If you want to see the kids, stay the night. Spend some time with them.”

Lorenza looked up, shocked. “I… I can really stay?”

She turned to Lucia. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Marchesi. I just want to see my children. I hope you don’t mind.”

How could Lucia say no?

It was normal for a birth mother to want to see her kids.

Lucia lowered her eyes. “Of course not.”

Relief flashed in Leo's expression when she agreed. He turned to the butler.

“Davide Vitti, prepare the guest room. Make sure everywhere is spotless. Lorenza is very particular about cleanliness.”

Lorenza’s eyes brightened—he still remembered.

Lucia just lowered her gaze and said nothing.

Once inside, Lorenza bent to touch the twins’ cheeks, but both children moved back immediately.

Hopelessness washed over her face. “Leo… do they hate me?”

Leo quickly said, “Nina, Nico, this is your one and only mother. Call her ‘Mamma’.”

Lucia's heart squeezed sharply.

One and only mother?

Then what was she?

The maids watching frowned.

Lucia didn’t give birth to them, yes—but she raised them from when they were babies. Leo's words felt too cruel.

“I don’t want to!” Nico snapped. “She’s not our mum! Our mum is right here!”

He clung to Lucia's arm, hiding behind her protectively.

As far as Nico was concerned, nobody could tell him Lucia wasn’t his real mother.

Leo sighed. “Lucia isn’t your birth mother. Lorenza is. She’s the one who loves you the most. Nobody can compare to a birth mother. So you two should respect her.”

Lucia's head lifted sharply.

She would never deny a mother’s love. But Leo's words made her feel completely pushed aside.

She had sacrificed everything for Nina and Nico, even refusing to have kids of her own so she could give them all her love.

Nina frowned. “I don’t know anything about that. All I know is that the person who loves us the most is Mum. And Mum is Lucia. Nobody else!”