All Chapters of Spring Rain Can't Bring Back an Old Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"Lydia was born out of wedlock. She's spent her whole life being looked down on, and what she needs most is a status no one can sneer at. Elena, you're the legitimate Rossi daughter. You own ports, and you're my lawful wife. You've always been generous. You wouldn't begrudge her one empty title."Matteo's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried through the ballroom speakers to every table.That voice had whispered in my ear countless times, promising that once he secured his position as head of the Family, he would reveal our marriage and make everyone who had looked down on me bow their heads. Now, in front of every boss, politician, and business partner, it had become a blade driven into my chest.I sat in the seat reserved for Rossi Shipping's representative, watching Matteo in his black formal suit. The Black Rose Ring in his hand was only ever given to the head's wife or his most trusted blood relative. Wearing it meant that every Moretti casino, club, and port would offer the bearer pr

That night, Chicago saw its first heavy snow since winter began.A coughing fit seized me again. My throat felt scored by a blade, and every breath tasted of blood. Mara went to the supply office for heating fuel but came back empty-handed. "Ma'am, the steward says all the backup fuel has been sent to the East Wing. Miss Lydia is sensitive to cold. It was on the master's direct orders."I leaned against the headboard and pulled the old cashmere blanket tighter. "It's fine. Have a plain car ready tomorrow morning. I need to go to the South Side."Early the next day, I put on a mask and slipped out through the estate's side gate. The roads were still covered in snow, and the car crawled along.I went to an unmarked private clinic on the South Side. The attending physician was Gabriel Ferraro. He came from a family of doctors who had worked with the Moretti Family for generations, yet he refused to cover up the carnage left by any boss. He simply kept the clinic running and treated the pe

When I woke, it was already late on the third night. The room reeked of disinfectant and bitter medicine.Matteo sat in the shadows beside the hospital bed. The moment I opened my eyes, he stood. His voice was hoarse, barely containing his fury. "You're awake. Elena, you pulled a stunt like this just to stop Lydia's Protection Ceremony?"A stunt.I looked at his exhausted, cold expression and didn't even have the strength to argue.He took my silence as admission and grew sterner. "The doctor on duty found only acute hemorrhaging brought on by emotional distress. Do you have any idea that every boss in that room saw what happened? The press is already calling me the man who drove his lawful wife to death for the other woman. It took me two days to get them to kill the story. Lydia's been having nightmares for three straight nights because of you."He paused, as if waiting for me to apologize. When I still said nothing, he announced coldly, "You will stay in the North Wing and reflect o

The pain kept Matteo bedridden in the Family's hospital for three full days. Toxicology specialists summoned from different cities all examined his results and shook their heads."This is a compound heavy-metal poison. It wasn't fully cleared in the early stages, and now it has invaded the nervous system and heart. We can only suppress the symptoms temporarily. Who formulated the stabilizer you were using before?"Before?Every month, Elena would appear with an insulated medicine case and watch him take the injection. Matteo had never asked about the formula. He had assumed Lydia arranged it, because after his poisoning, Lydia had stood outside his hospital room and tearfully sworn she would save him."Bring Lydia."Lydia's steps faltered as she entered the room. Since the Family's finances had collapsed, loyalty at the estate had unraveled. Even her personal driver had begun brushing her off, Black Rose Ring or not.Matteo leaned against the headboard, pale as paper. "I'll ask this on

Matteo's hand hung in the air. He stared into my indifferent eyes, and the wild joy on his face crumbled piece by piece."Elena, stop being angry. I know now that you were the one who saved me three years ago, and that every dose of medicine came from you. I was wrong." He forced a smile that looked worse than tears. "Lydia deceived me. The Family has stripped her of the ring and its protection and sent her to the northern freight yard. She will never appear in front of you again."He pulled a black document folder from inside his overcoat and pushed it toward me. "This is a declaration signed by the Family council. Come back, and every legitimate business and the estate's finances will be yours. From now on, only you may wear the Black Rose Ring, and every boss must answer to you."The proud, unflappable head of the Moretti Family now sounded almost abject as he pleaded.I looked at the declaration and almost laughed. "Matteo, do you really think that just because you turned around, I