Chapter 3

The atmosphere in the living room was tense. Cindy sat reclined against the couch, while Luca sat close beside her, protectively guarding her belly. Across from them sat Luca's mother, Krista Mangione, along with several of the Salvatore family's senior elders.

When I walked downstairs, every gaze turned to me at once. From their stares, I felt it all—scrutiny, disdain, contempt, and even pity.

"Xandra." Luca stood, about to come over, but a single look from Krista stopped him.

One of the elders cleared his throat and spoke sternly. "Since everyone is here, let's get to the point. As agreed, now that Ms. Newton is carrying the Salvatore family bloodline, Luca can officially assume the position of Don. I believe their wedding should also be arranged. Why not announce this joyous news at the coronation ceremony in a few days?"

I noticed Luca was looking down at Cindy with concern, as if he hadn't even heard the conversation. A sharp pain twisted in my chest.

Without stopping, I walked over and sat on a single-seater couch, speaking coldly. "If you want Luca to marry Cindy, then what am I, his wife, supposed to be?"

A subordinate beside the elder let out a mocking laugh. "You are just an orphan of unknown background. Do you really think you can be the Donna of the Salvatore family? You really don't know your place, even interrupting a family meeting."

Krista lifted her cup of coffee, blowing on it leisurely, her gaze arrogant. "For the sake of your past with Luca, you can stay on as his secret lover. Cindy isn't doing well, and she'll need a bridesmaid to take care of her at the wedding. You can do it. Consider it a bit of dignity for you."

"Enough!" Luca snapped, seemingly unable to stand it anymore. But when his gaze fell on Cindy's belly, he swallowed it back. "Mom, be nicer with your words."

But that was all. He didn't even deny a single word of Krista's arrangement for me.

I smiled. "I have no objection to Luca marrying Cindy." I lifted my head, a calm smile on my face. "But I won't be anyone's secret lover. I'll divorce Luca and have nothing to do with him from now on."

Everyone was stunned. Luca stared at me in shock. "Xandra, you…"

"What? Did you really expect me to stay on as your secret lover?" I looked at him, my smile mocking.

He fell silent, his face flushing. But Krista smiled with satisfaction. "Since Signora Caprese is so sensible, that's great! Luca, you should prioritize the family. That's what a Don must do."

After seeing Krista and the elders out, Luca dismissed the household staff and, in a panic, grabbed my wrist. "Xandra, you were just saying that out of anger, right? You're not really going to leave me, are you?"

I looked at him indifferently. "Then what do you want me to do? Stay here and watch you and Cindy live happily together?"

A trace of guilt flashed across his face. "Xandra, don't be like this… I admit I was wrong. But I swear, this is the last time. Once I have full control of the Salvatore family, I'll give you the best of everything. The position of the Donna of the family can only be yours."

"I believe you," I said softly, resting my head against his shoulder.

I believed he could take control of the Salvatore family, but he would never get the chance to make it up to me.

Over the next few days, Luca was so busy that he barely had time to have a rest. He had to prepare for the coronation ceremony and the wedding, while also taking over family affairs.

At home, Cindy had already assumed the role of the lady of the house. She ordered the housekeepers to redecorate everything to her liking, having all the roses I planted uprooted and replaced with lilies she preferred.

Luca turned a blind eye to it all. When Cindy complained that the sound of my footsteps was too loud, he even had thick carpets laid down in the hallway. I watched it all coldly, quietly cooperating as Cindy erased every trace of me from the house, bit by bit.

The night before the coronation ceremony, Luca came home early for once, holding a wedding dress I had once dreamed of. "Xandra, I owe you a wedding," he said guiltily. "Tomorrow, wear this and come to my coronation, alright?"

I nodded. "Alright."

At least it would settle my last regret.

Luca let out a relieved smile. He wanted to stay the night, but I sent him away with the excuse that Cindy needed him more.

After he left, I casually tossed the wedding dress onto the table.

My phone vibrated. It was a message from Quentin Hart. "Principessa, I'll come pick you up at 9:00 am tomorrow."

I looked around at this "home" that had been altered beyond recognition.

Goodbye, Luca.