Chapter 21

Vera's foot was mostly healed. She still limped if she pushed it, but she could move again. That alone felt huge.Her vision blurred. She really was getting better.Luca stayed close, steadying her. "Slow down. No rush.""I'm fine now," she said, shaking her head.He met her gaze, serious. "There's never a rush. I'll wait. Always."She froze. Right. This man would never judge her for a limp.A few days later, Luca said he was taking her somewhere special.Curious, she got in the car and let him drive.They drove forever before finally stopping.Vera stepped out—and froze.Flowers. Endless flowers. Every color, stretching under the sun like something ripped straight out of a fairytale.She turned to Luca. "This is..."He just smiled, all secrets, and took her hand, guiding her deeper into the field.Her heart started racing.At the center, he stopped.Then—he dropped to one knee."Vera. I've got something for you."He pulled out a small black box and opened it.Inside

Chapter 22

Word spread fast. Vera and Luca's engagement lit up the entire underworld.Every mafia family got an invite.The day of the banquet, the Lombardo estate was done up to the nines. Vera stood beside Luca in a custom gown, the emerald brooch pinned at her chest, glowing. Impossible to miss.Guests poured in one after another.Then the entrance stirred.Carlo Quaranta had arrived—with a gift.The room went still.Everyone knew the history.Vera—the Quaranta adoptee who'd once loved her brother. Carlo—the one who chose Gina, kicked Vera out, then lost his mind with regret and blood-soaked revenge afterward. None of it was a secret.And now he was here. At her engagement.What was that supposed to mean?Luca saw him coming and didn't stop him. Just gave a polite welcome, nothing more.Carlo stepped up, set the gift down, and said, "Congratulations.""Thank you," Vera said, steady.Carlo's eyes dropped to the emerald brooch at her chest.He was supposed to be the one who gave i

Chapter 23

Deep in the cellar, locked in a cold, damp cell, Gina curled up in the corner.Her face—once flawless—was wrecked.Carved open. Stitched up. Again and again. Now it was nothing but scars, thick and jagged.Carlo made sure a mirror was delivered to her every single day.So she'd see it. Every inch of what she'd become.She stared at the reflection—twisted, horrifying. Her whole body shook.That face was gone. No one would believe she'd ever been the Chisari principessa.Screaming, she grabbed the mirror and smashed it against the wall.The next day, a fresh one replaced it.Carlo wanted her to watch herself rot. Piece by piece.That day, the servant who brought her food said something different."Your father's had a stroke."Gina's head snapped up. "What?""The Chisari routes got swallowed by another family. Your father couldn't take the hit. He's paralyzed. Overthrown. Your family's in the slums now."Tears poured down her face. "No... that's not true..."She crawled to

Chapter 24

Carlo started setting the Quaranta estate back in order.He stepped into Vera's old bedroom. It didn't look anything like it used to.He called out, "Gabrio."Gabrio appeared. "Don?""Restore it. Back to how it was."Gabrio paused. "You mean—""When Vera lived here.""...Yes, sir."A few days later, it was done.Everything was back the way it used to be.On the desk sat the pistol Vera never got to give him. Her gift for him when she was eighteen.In their past life, he'd tossed it aside like trash.In this one, he never even got the chance to receive it.Now, he wiped that pistol every single day.It was the only thing she'd left him.Gabrio entered quietly. "Don, Orlando's asking if you want to name a new Donna. Says leaving the obsidian ring empty doesn't look good..."Carlo shook his head. "No need. That title's Vera's. Always."Gabrio nodded and backed out without another word.After that, Carlo grew colder.No one dared test him. Even the senior capos kept thei

Chapter 25

The Lombardo estate looked unreal that day.Flowers spilled across the garden in every color, and white drapes danced in the breeze.Vera stood in the dressing room, eyeing her reflection.The white dress hugged just right. Sunlight hit the emerald brooch on her chest—it gleamed.She shifted her ankle.No pain.Months of rehab paid off. She could walk again, heels and all. No crutches. No help.Luca stepped in, stopped dead in his tracks. "You look like a dream."She turned.Black suit. Steady eyes. That quiet strength."Nervous?"She shook her head. "Not with you."He took her hand, warm and sure."Then let's go. It's time."The ceremony unfolded right in the heart of the garden.Red carpet rolled out from the gates to an arch buried in blooms.All the heavyweights were there—top brass from every major family in the game.Vera walked the aisle with Luca, arm in arm.No limp, no wobble. Just grace.Luca didn't leave her side, not for a second. His eyes never left her

Chapter 26

A year after the wedding, life was calm. Steady. Good.Vera kept designing—each weapon more brilliant than the last. Her work? Untouchable. Worth a fortune.Luca spoiled her rotten but never got in her way.That morning, a package landed at the door.A letter.From a lawyer.Vera opened it—then froze.Every Quaranta asset. Shares. Holdings. The whole empire. All transferred to her name.Signed by Carlo's personal attorney.Her hands shook.Luca walked over. "What is it?"She passed him the letter, silent.He read it, jaw tightening. "I'll have someone check this out."He called the Quaranta Family.Gabrio answered. "Don Lombardo, our Don hasn't seen anyone for over two weeks. No visitors. Nothing."Luca hung up. "I'm sending people."Vera nodded, dread curling in her gut.***At the same time, deep beneath the Quaranta estate.Carlo stood outside a cell, staring at Gina inside.She was gone.Slumped on the floor, bruised and broken, rocking as she whispered, "Carlo