LOGINI ran into my ex-boyfriend at a friend's birthday party. He was now the Godfather of the Barzan family. He looked handsome and polished, and he'd arrived with his gorgeous fiancée on his arm. She smiled at me and said, "If you hadn't broken up with him back then, you'd be the lady of the Barzan house—the Godfather's wife." Across the table, his arm around her, Nico wore a cold expression. "Why bring up the past? We ended things ages ago. You're my fiancée, the future matriarch of the family." Under the crowd's watchful stares, I quietly covered the scar on my wrist and forced a tight smile. "Right… it's been such a long time."
View More(Nico's Perspective)The following winter, Mira's family collapsed.The people who hurt Valentina—Nico sent them to hell.After many crises, his family rose again.But tonight, Nico sat alone in his office, holding the diagnosis from his private doctor.Stomach cancer.Snow fell hard outside. Headlights below stretched into a river.He'd been working nonstop for two weeks. It felt like a century.He remembered that a year ago today, it had also snowed.Valentina had appeared at the party.When she saw him with Mira, the shock and panic in her eyes.In his dreams, he revisited that night again and again. And every time, he changed things.He ended the engagement early.When the deputy tried to drug her drink, he had someone stop it.He didn't force her to drink. He didn't say cruel things.Just as she had hoped, they had a dignified reunion.Valentina came back.Late at night, she curled into his arms and told him everything. Cried.Nico held her, kissed her, comforted her. Proposed.La
A few days later, I saw news about Nico on a friend's social media.He'd lost a lot of weight.In front of the family committee, he confessed to everything he'd done.The coercion. The recording.He also made public an agreement between him and Mira: two years engaged, ending peacefully for mutual benefit. They'd never planned to marry.That night was supposed to be the hearing to announce the dissolution—contractually scheduled.The fallout devastated Nico's family. His reputation and standing crumbled.Later, Matteo called me.He said, "I'm sorry, Valentina. I owe you an explanation."He'd misjudged Mira. She had her own agenda and leaked my story.The people who hurt me back then had sold my information to her.He also said he was worried about Nico's health. His private doctor had just diagnosed stomach cancer.He asked if I would come back.I gave the same answer. I'd said everything I needed to say. The rest was beyond me.Three months later, my condition stabilized. I was ready
I dressed quickly. Marco put on his down coat, took my hand, and we went downstairs.Every few steps, there was a security door. Only he could bring me out.Under the night sky, snow fell heavily.Soon my hat was white.Marco handed me a small shovel. "Don't overdo it.""Okay!"The cold air made me inexplicably happy.I walked around the frozen fountain with my shovel.When I turned, I saw Nico standing not far away.Eyes bloodshot. Jaw stubbled. Just staring."Nico?" My voice was soft, surprised.His lips moved. "Valentina, I was wrong."Once, I would have demanded, "Wrong about what?"But now I just hugged my shovel, embarrassed, and looked down. "It's fine."I've been through too much. All my edges had worn smooth.The wind and snow howled in the dark.Nico walked closer and crouched in front of me, his voice rough. "How can it be fine? Valentina, please—say something to me."I thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Merry Christmas to us. And good health."The blood drained fro
Back when I left, I joked with Chiara that I'd never come back here.Turns out you shouldn't tempt fate.I'm sick again.The West Coast isn't usually dry in winter. Usually it's freezing rain, but this year it snowed.The doctors and nurses chatted: "Cold winter. The climate's getting impossible."Almost Christmas. Bare branches outside, not a leaf left.I pressed my face to the glass, fogging it with my breath."There's someone downstairs.""He stands there every day. Isn't he cold?"Chiara walked by with a glass of warm milk, face blank. "Oh, really? I guess not."She's been in a bad mood lately.So has Dr. Marco.I've been tiptoeing around them, afraid to set them off.Chiara paused, realizing she'd scared me, and softened her voice."Drink the milk. Wait an hour, then take your meds. Dr. Marco says he's taking you to build a snowman tonight."I glanced at the man again. He looked familiar…Chiara pulled the curtain. "Stop looking, or you'll go blind.""Okay."I went back to bed, to






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