Chapter 1

On the day I was released from prison, Marco came to pick me up himself.

After the car pulled away from the prison, he handed me a wedding invitation.

"This is the design for our wedding invitation. Take a look and tell me if you like it."

I took it from him and tore it into pieces right in front of him.

His brows drew together. "Leah, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't start throwing a tantrum the moment you get out."

I gave a cold laugh. "Sorry. Three years in prison ruined my temper."

"Stop this. I've already arranged everything."

Marco's expression darkened immediately. "The wedding will take place in three days. The Dons of the other Families will all be there in person."

I looked at him and enunciated each word clearly.

"I will not marry you."

The next second, Marco slammed his foot down on the accelerator.

The car shot onto the highway like a bullet leaving the barrel of a gun.

He drove with a grim expression while I stared blankly out the window.

Memories followed me like a rabid dog snapping at my heels.

Marco was the Don of the Bellini Family.

And I was the most skilled assassin in the Family.

Marco and I had once been in love for seven years.

I had believed our happiness would last forever—until the darkest moment of my life arrived.

I spent three whole years in a dark, sunless prison.

Those three years were what finally made me decide.

Once I got out, I would erase every memory I had of Marco Bellini.

The sharp screech of brakes pulled me from my thoughts.

I glanced out the window and raised an eyebrow.

The car had stopped in front of an upscale bridal boutique.

Marco's expression had already returned to normal.

"As long as you're willing to become my Donna," he said, looking at me, "I'll give you anything you ask for."

I pressed my lips together. "Then transfer the trust fund held in your name to me."

"Fine." Marco smiled. "Consider it compensation for the last three years."

He agreed so readily that I was momentarily dazed.

He got out of the car and came around to open my door.

"Go inside and try on the wedding dresses." He held out his hand to me. "I'll go with you."

He gazed at me with tenderness in his azure-blue eyes.

Those eyes were as sharp as a bird of prey's and as blue as autumn mist.

To my own surprise, I felt a belated trace of hesitation.

Perhaps he had had deeper reasons for what he did back then.

Perhaps the wedding really could give us a fresh start.

Just as I was about to place my hand in his, his phone rang.

He withdrew his hand and answered the call.

Violetta's tearful voice immediately came through the phone.

"Don, someone is following me… The car has been behind me for two blocks…"

"I'm so scared. Can you come and save me?"

Marco glanced at me and pressed his lips together.

"Don't be afraid. Tell me where you are, and I'll send one of my button men to protect you."

"No!" Violetta cried even harder. "You're the only one I trust. Please, Don."

Marco's fingers tightened around his phone, and his jaw slowly tensed.

He hesitated, but only for a few seconds.

"I'm coming."

After ending the call, he avoided my eyes and said carefully, "Leah, I need to take care of something. Go inside and try on the dresses by yourself."

I got out of the car.

As I watched Marco drive away, I suddenly found that brief moment of softness utterly ridiculous.

I did not enter the bridal boutique. Instead, I hailed a taxi and went straight to the memory clinic.

The clinic performed memory erasure procedures that could precisely remove every memory associated with a specific person.

The doctor pushed the surgical consent form across the desk toward me.

"The effects of the memory erasure procedure are irreversible. If you're certain, please sign here."

Without hesitation, I signed my name on the designated line.

The procedure was completed quickly.

Thanks to advances in technology, I looked no different than usual afterward.

The doctor warned me, "The procedure will officially take effect in twenty-four hours. If you change your mind…"

He sealed a white pill inside a small packet and placed it in my palm.

"Take this pill before the procedure takes effect. Once twenty-four hours have passed, there will be no way to reverse it."

I accepted the pill and left the clinic.

The evening glow was fading, and the early moon looked like a faint kiss mark.

I felt immensely relieved.

Now, there were still three days until my "wedding."

And twenty-three hours and fifty-seven minutes until I forgot Marco completely.