Chapter 2

When I got home from the party, it was already past midnight.

My whole body ached, but my heart hurt the most. My pillowcase was soaked by my tears.

I fell for Luca at my 18th birthday party. Back then, Leonardo was still the Don of the Costa Famiglia. Luca was 25 years old and Leonardo's Underboss.

As I was cutting my cake, the sound of a gunshot rang out. A bullet lodged in Papa's heart. Another came flying at me.

Just as I thought I was going to die, I was shoved onto the floor. It was Luca lying atop me. He'd taken the bullet for me in his back.

Blood sprayed onto my dress. It was warm and sticky.

Luca was hospitalized for a month. The bullet had been less than an inch away from his heart.

A few days after my birthday party, Papa passed away. Before he died, he called Luca and me to his study. Taking both our hands, he placed them atop each other.

"Luca, I'm entrusting Elena to you. I want you to swear that you'll protect her forever and never betray her. If not, I will make sure you regret it, even if I have to climb out of hell to punish you," threatened Papa, his voice trembling.

Getting on one knee, Luca kissed the back of my hand and swore before Papa that he'd love me with all his heart, forever.

Papa smiled and nodded. After transferring control of the Costa Famiglia into Luca's hands, he took his last breath.

Luca proposed to me after Papa's funeral. I said yes.

After our marriage, we remained hopelessly in love. While our enemies were persecuting him, I got shot in my spine trying to protect him. From then onward, I was confined to my wheelchair, nothing more than a decorative Madre.

I thought our loving relationship would continue. Alas, a man's heart is the most fickle thing.

The sound of a lock turning clicked behind me. Luca walked into the bedroom. I did not move.

"Elena, you must be exhausted by tonight's events. I'll give you a massage," mumbled Luca. He embraced me from the back, fingers gliding down my shoulders. Clearly, he was asking for something.

In the past, I would've turned around and hugged him back, thanking him for being so considerate. However, all I felt now was disgust.

One week ago, I fully recovered from my spinal injury. I was about to head to the wine cellar to get some celebratory alcohol when Sofia took my hand for the first time, asking me to teach her to draw.

Before that, she'd always complained of my wheelchair being in the way. Sofia was disdainful of my inability to get along with Luca's friends and of my inability to take her riding or skiing. As a result, she'd never wanted to deepen our bond.

I hadn't stood up that day, as I was pretending that I hadn't regained the ability to walk. Yet, Sofia was enthusiastic in a way she'd never been.

I didn't read too much into it and just thought she'd finally rediscovered her love for me. Warmth rose in my heart. I even teared up, thinking that we'd all be happy again.

However, I was wrong.

While Sofia was in the bathroom, I headed to the cellar to take my wine when I heard scandalous noises coming from the cellar. At that moment, I couldn't tell whether it was devastation or fury from being betrayed that struck me first.

Sofia found me. Thinking I hadn't heard anything, she hastily led me away. Watching the anxious expression on her face, I understood. Sofia loved her personal tutor more than me.

Ever since that day, I stopped dreaming about sharing the truth of my recovery with them. I agreed to my Nonna's request and booked a plane ticket back to our hometown, Sicily. I didn't want Luca or Sofia anymore.

Yet, the man I no longer wanted was murmuring into my ear, "Elena, I love you…"

The sound of his moans from my memory suddenly overlapped with what he was saying now, echoing in my head.

I lurched upward and shoved Luca away.

He let out a pained groan and fell off the bed, knocking his head against the corner of the bedside table.

For a moment, I was taken aback. On instinct, I nearly reached out to help him. In the end, I didn't move.

Luca had picked up on my internal struggle and hesitation. Instead of getting mad, he pulled me into his arms.

"Are you feeling ill?"

I shook my head and replied, "I had a nightmare."

As though something had suddenly popped into his mind, Luca's arms tightened around me, looking extremely anxious. "Believe me, Elena. To each other, Celia and I are nothing more than a parent and a personal tutor. Please don't misunderstand us."

Parent and tutor? To him, was it appropriate for a tutor and her student's parent to get down and dirty in the wine cellar?

My heart was exhausted by his antics. I no longer wanted to pay him any attention. I replied coldly, "Got it. You're probably tired as well. Go to sleep."

I didn't spare him another glance and lay down with my back to him. He mumbled, "I love you, Elena. I truly love you. Never leave me, alright? Without you, I'll die."

Tears trickled down my cheeks and stained my pillowcase. I really wanted to ask him why he'd betray me if he loved me.

At this point, there was no need to see each other again, Luca.