Chapter 1
I took the gun from Papa’s hand, watching as Fabiano instinctively shielded Valentina behind him.[]
Pathetic.]
“What’s the matter, brother? Scared I might actually use this?“]
Fabiano’s jaw tightened.
Tm the one who screwed up here. This is all on me.“]
“You want to put a bullet in me? Fine. But leave Valentina out of this–she didn’t do anything wrong.”
A bitter laugh escaped my throat as I looked past him at the trembling little mouse hiding behind his back
“Nothing wrong? Two years ago, when you dragged yourself home half–dead and missing an arm, guess who I personally sent to nurse you back to health?”
My voice turned razor–sharp. “Tell me, did her nursing include keeping your bed warm at night?”
Valentina kept her head down, tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t even look at me–just clutched at Fabiano’s shirt like the coward she was.
Fabiano turned and squeezed her hand, his voice soft as silk:
“Hey, don’t worry. I’ve got you. Nothing’s gonna happen to you, I promise.”
That gentle tone–Christ, it was exactly how he used to talk to me. Now hearing it meant for her felt like acid burning through my veins.
I raised the Beretta with both hands, the barrel aimed straight at his heart. My finger found the trigger.
“You’ve got three
three seconds to come to your senses, brother. Last chance.“]
The room went dead silent. I could hear Valentina’s panicked breathing, see the way Fabiano’s shoulders tensed even as he refused to move away from her.]
“THREE!“]
My voice echoed off the marble walls like a gunshot. Several men in the back actually reached for their weapons.[
Twor
Valentina let out a strangled sob. Fabiano’s eyes snapped open, locking onto mine–not pleading, not afraid, just… resigned.] “ONE“]
My finger tightened on the trigger-
Click.
The magazine hit the floor with a metallic crash that seemed to shatter the suffocating tension.
I didn’t shoot him. Instead, I spun around and snatched the marriage contract from Papa’s hands, letting out a sound. somewhere between a laugh and a snarl:]
“Did I actually scare you? Jesus, a dog finding a new master isn’t worth wasting bullets over.“]]
“Since you’re so eager to throw your life away for her, why should I stand in the way of true love?
I fixed my stare on Valentina’s pathetic, tear–streaked face, my smile sharp enough to cut glass.
“Come here, sister–in–law. Let’s toast to your… good fortune.“]
The entire hall was still frozen in shock. Everyone was staring, probably wondering if the Don’s daughter had finally lost her mind–letting them walk away after five years of betrayal.]]
Valentina crept forward like a beaten dog, hands shaking as she picked up a glass of champagne from the silver tray. Her voice was barely a whisper:[]
“Arianna… I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”]
I took the glass and drained it in one go, never breaking eye contact. When the servant approached, I grabbed two heavy signet rings from the velvet cushion–family heirlooms worth more than most people’s houses.
I dropped one into Valentina’s trembling palm and threw the other at Fabiano’s feet like he was some street beggar.[]
My voice dripped with venom as I smiled that perfect, practiced smile:
*Consider this my wedding gift. May you two lovebirds live happily ever after–you deserve each other.“[]
