Chapter 1

"Don't touch your face."

A warm tear hit the back of my hand.

I opened my eyes. My mother's were bloodshot.

I tried to smile, but a sharp, tearing pain shot through my right cheek.

"Don't move, Seraphina." My mother, once the toughest Donna the East Coast had ever seen, her voice was shaking. "The funds from the Swiss account are ready. The best plastic surgeons in the world will be in Chicago in three days. You'll be beautiful again."

I stared at the ceiling. A bitter taste coated my throat.

"The ten million ransom was paid." Her voice was cracking. "So why light the fire? Why are you burned like this while Chloe doesn't have a single hair out of place?"

Why?

Because their backs were turned to me in that fire. So final.

They walked away with Chloe. They never looked back.

"Mother." I swallowed the taste of blood in my throat. "Stop. The kidnappers died in the fire. Let it go."

She wiped her tears. In a blink, she was the ruthless matriarch again.

"I've cleared the schedule at the Cathedral of Our Lady. You and Lucian will be married this weekend. The power transfer to the new Don must happen immediately. No room for surprises."

I knew what she was afraid of.

The Commission doesn't recognize a woman in charge.

I have no right to inherit.

Before, Lucian and Matteo had to fight for my hand. To prove themselves to my father to become the heir.

But after my father’s accident, the Capos from every crew started circling like vultures.

Lucian and Matteo took over the family's finances and muscle. They have the power now.

They don't even need me anymore.

If they refuse to marry me because of my face, the Bellini family will be devoured. Bones and all.

"Cancel the wedding," I said to the ceiling. "I'm not marrying him."

My mother froze. "What are you afraid of? Lucian brought you back himself. He promised me your injuries won't affect the succession. He'll marry you. By the book."

By the book.

Such a proper, cruel phrase.

I shook my head and looked at her. "I couldn't win against Chloe with my face intact. I'm not going to humiliate myself now. Father's been gone for years. I'm tired of holding this family together with a marriage contract. Mom, send me to Europe. Give me the family's legit assets—the art funds, the real estate."

Her brow furrowed. "And what about Chicago?"

"They want the power? Let them have it." My voice was quiet, but final. "Keep this a secret. Just give me a few days to get my affairs in order. I'll end things with them myself."

For a long moment, she just looked at my bandaged face. She sighed. "Alright. I'll do it."

She had just left when a knock came at the door.

It opened before I could answer.

Lucian.

Standing there in a perfect suit. Tall and lean.

His face was like a Greek statue. Not a single emotion.

He walked to my bed. His eyes scanned the bandages. His gaze was cold. Assessing. Disappointed.

"Done with your little scene?" His voice was low and smooth, but cold as ice.

I looked at him. My heart was too tired to even beat properly.

"I've already agreed to marry you. To give you the dignity a Bellini princess deserves." Lucian adjusted his cuffs, his tone indifferent. "So why won't you leave Chloe alone?"

I just stared. Silent.

"You paid off the Irish. Leaked Chloe's location. Tried to have them kill her for you."

He leaned in close, his deep gray eyes boring into mine. "You thought throwing yourself into the fire, this little drama, would force my hand? Make me send her away? Seraphina, you brought this on yourself."

I looked at the man I had loved for ten years. A complete stranger.

More footsteps outside.

Matteo walked in.

He held a bouquet of black roses.

He came to the bed, dropping them on the nightstand with a cold look.

His movements were graceful. His words were poison. "Lucian, don't waste your breath. A woman who can't even stomach the orphan of a soldier who took a bullet for her father? You expect her to feel any remorse?"