Two years later.“Elena.”Her father’s voice stopped her just as she reached the dining room doors.Elena turned slowly, medical textbooks pressed against her chest. “Yes, Father?”Mr. Riccardo lowered the newspaper in his hands, his expression already carrying disapproval.“You spend too much time studying.”Elena resisted the urge to sigh.“I’m in medical school.”“You are a woman,” he replied coldly. “Not a man preparing for war.”Her jaw tightened slightly.“In our world, women do not need to bury themselves in books. Your duty is to strengthen this family, not exhaust yourself chasing ambition.”Elena looked down quietly, masking the anger rising inside her.Because arguing never changed anything.Not in this house.Not in the mafia world.Her father folded the newspaper carefully before continuing.“Dante Francesco attends the same university now.”Elena froze internally.“I expect you to grow closer to him.”There it was.The real reason for the conversation.“Our family’s posi
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