Chapter 2

That night, Serafina lay awake, staring at Luciana's messages as they came in.

Matilde was the Denaro family's illegitimate daughter, who was raised abroad. Alessandro and Matilde had once been inseparable during their time abroad.

However, the Madonia family had kept pressuring him to marry Serafina, which was how the whole diary stunt came about in the first place.

How could he use her sincerity to protect another woman?

Alessandro knew better than anyone that betrayal was what Serafina hated most.

As the image of Cosima cutting her wrists in despair resurfaced in her mind, the ache in Serafina's chest became almost unbearable.

She refused to follow Cosima's path and drown in grief.

Without hesitation, she called her Underboss. "Sherly, have our people lie low at every major port and prepare to reclaim every territory we handed to the Madonia family."

She'd just hung up when Alessandro appeared at the door, surprise lacing his voice. "Why are you awake?"

Serafina studied him for a long moment before offering the same gentle smile she always wore. "Alba woke me. I'm visiting my mother today, so I got up early."

Nothing in her tone betrayed her thoughts, yet Alessandro felt something was off in the way she looked at him and couldn't stop himself from frowning.

Did she know something?

From the kitchen, Alba's booming voice rang out at the perfect moment. "Ms. Greco, Mr. Greco, breakfast is ready!"

Serafina slipped her arm through Alessandro's and walked toward the dining room, her voice light. "We're coming."

Alessandro exhaled in relief.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase as Niccolo Greco carefully supported Matilde downstairs. He cast Serafina a sidelong glance, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"Aren't you going to greet your sister-in-law?"

Serafina lifted her gaze. It was the first time in five years that her brother Niccolo had spoken to her.

Just as she was considering telling him what she had seen the night before, Matilde spread her arms wide and moved toward her with enthusiasm.

"Serafina!"

Serafina finally examined the woman who had appeared out of nowhere six months earlier and suddenly become her sister-in-law.

Matilde's figure was curvy and elegant, and the way her eyes moved was soft and seductive. She was truly a rare beauty.

Serafina intended to push her away, but her attention caught on the brilliant diamond bracelet circling Matilde's wrist.

It was Cosima's.

Her fingers closed around Matilde's wrist. "Where did you get this bracelet?"

"Ouch!"

Matilde let out a soft cry, and both men turned at once.

Alessandro covered Serafina's hand with his own. "Serafina, let go."

Serafina tightened her grip instead, her eyes reddening as she stared at the bracelet Cosima had treasured most. She had no intention of releasing Matilde.

Niccolo's expression darkened as he impatiently rolled his wrist. Then, in a move no one anticipated, he struck her.

The sound echoed sharply through the room, and a bright handprint bloomed across Serafina's cheek.

"Ora basta!"

Alessandro hurried to pull her hand away and immediately examined Matilde's wrist as though no one else existed.

"Did she hurt you? Bring the first aid kit."

Serafina pressed a hand to her cheek while her gaze remained fixed on Matilde's wrist. The red marks from her grip were visible, yet there was no broken skin.

Niccolo stepped forward as well, kissing the faint imprint repeatedly with obvious concern.

Pushed aside, Alessandro stood rigid, his fists clenched so tightly that the veins along his hands stood out. Only Serafina noticed.

When he realized she was watching him, he quickly adjusted his expression and finally noticed the swelling on her face.

He rushed over at once. "Are you okay, Serafina?"

She turned her head away from his touch and walked straight toward Matilde.

"Return my mother's bracelet."

Niccolo stood protectively in front of Matilde, his voice sharp. "Serafina Greco, I'm the heir. I can give that bracelet to whoever I choose."

Greco Group had close economic ties with the top four mafia families. In recent years, because of Alessandro, the siblings had resumed contact after barely speaking.

Alessandro had even partnered with Niccolo to purchase this estate grand enough to rival a palace.

Serafina had once believed that he did it to mend her relationship with Niccolo, but she now realized that it had been for Matilde.

Serafina swallowed the truth at the tip of her tongue as a plan began to take shape in her mind.

Since one of them was eager to rekindle an old romance and the other was willing to play the fool, then she'd make things easy for them.

"Serafina, I truly didn't know it was your mother's." Matilde looked apologetic as she removed the bracelet and placed it on the table. "This is just a misunderstanding. We should try to get along."

Serafina picked up the bracelet and walked away.

Niccolo's temper flared. "What's with your attitude?"

He shoved her hard, and Serafina fell onto the cold floor. A sharp pain twisted her abdomen. She clutched her stomach as blood began to pool beneath her.

"Serafina!"

Alessandro's face went pale as he kneeled beside her and placed his hand over her slightly rounded belly.

"Is the baby okay?"

Guilt flickered across Niccolo's face as he stepped forward to check on her, but Alessandro stopped him with a warning look.

"Don't be afraid, Serafina. I'll take you to the hospital."

All of a sudden, Matilde pressed a hand to her head. "Niccolo, my head hurts…"

Niccolo instantly lifted her into his arms, carried her outside to the only car parked there, and left.