Loved the Wrong Woman, Lost the True Treasure
I'm representing the Rosa family at a mafia trade summit when we're ambushed on the road.
In the chaos, I get separated from the only bodyguard assigned to protect me.
When I finally overcome all hurdles and make it home alive, I see him step down from the vehicle that attacked us. The Soldati line up before him respectfully.
"Mr. Marco, if you like Leonora, you could just tell the Don. Why pretend to be Viviana's bodyguard? You had us chase Viviana into the dangerous Neralis Rainforest so that Leonora could appear at the trade summit. She's been missing for three days now. Shall we send our men to look for her?"
Marco Santis furrows his brows, and his fingers clench around a ring carved with the Santis family's crest.
"Leonora has always been insecure about being an illegitimate daughter. I haven't secured my position as heir. If I tell my father now, I'm afraid he'll never agree. As for Viviana, she's capable. She'll be fine."
I realize Marco tried so hard to stay by my side for my illegitimate sister, Leonora Rosa. She's the one who drove my mother to her grave.
It feels like someone had dug a hole in my chest and left it open to the cold wind. I force myself to stand and head to my father's room.
"Papa, you wanted me to marry the dying heir of the Santis family. I accept."