The next day, they took me out of the dungeon. They gave me clean clothes, but my wounds still ached.

Back in my room, I gathered everything that reminded me of Vincenzo.

My childhood diaries and love letters, secret photos of him, gifts I had saved for him, surprises I planned to give him... I had intended to tell him my story when we were finally together.

But now I knew there was no future for us. These things were worthless.

I stuffed everything into a black trash bag and walked to the incinerator outside the villa, watching the flames consume them one by one.

As I turned to leave, I walked right into Vincenzo, who had just returned with Elena.

Elena deliberately showed off the diamond bracelet on her wrist—the one Vincenzo had traded control of three weapons docks for. It was known as the "symbol of the Corleone Madre."

Vincenzo glanced at the trash can, then looked at me. His gaze was as cold as ever.

Elena saw the items and forced a smile. "Lena, did you destroy all of that? Does this mean you're finally giving up on Vincenzo? Finally letting go of those unrealistic fantasies? We can still be a loving family now. I won't blame you for what happened. You're still my little sister."

She turned to Vincenzo, pretending to be generous. "Vincenzo, Lena knows she was wrong now. You're her brother-in-law now. You should be nicer to her."

Vincenzo glanced at the trash again, then back at me. "My eyes are only for you. I'm only good to the person I love. Even if she's your sister, that doesn't change anything."

Hearing Elena's laughter and Vincenzo's cold words, I ignored them and walked back to my room. My heart was calm as still water.

To celebrate Elena's recovery, a grand celebration party was hosted by the Rossi and Corleone families.

Important figures from all New York crime families were there. They discussed weapon prices, dock control, and the Rossi-Corleone alliance.

I hid in the shadows on the second-floor balcony, watching below as Elena, dressed in a diamond-covered gown, was flanked by my father and Vincenzo. She looked exactly like a future lady of the family.

"I hear Vincenzo gave up the entire South American cocaine pipeline to the Rossis for Elena."

"Elena is so lucky. Not only is she the Rossi Principessa, but she'll also become the future Corleone Madre."

"This party is incredible. I heard the flowers were flown in from Europe this morning. There's going to be a drone show over the city later. The jewelry Elena is wearing is worth hundreds of millions. Vincenzo personally bought it at Sotheby's!"

"Elena is the jewel of the Rossi family. She deserves all of this. Unlike her sister Lena, who actually tried to seduce her own brother-in-law."

"Yeah, heard she even attacked Elena to get Vincenzo's attention. A heartless person like that doesn't belong in the mafia. She should be exiled and thrown to the sharks!"

I stood in the corner, listening to their comments, feeling nothing.

Not far away, Isabella lovingly adjusted Elena's dress while Vittorio affectionately stroked her hair. Looking at their happy scene, I knew they had never been so gentle with me. Even when I was sick and vulnerable as a child, they wouldn't spare me a glance. To take Elena shopping, they skipped my graduation ceremony.

I was like a stranger, never earning their attention or love.

Only when I was with Vincenzo did I ever feel warmth. He cared about my health and prepared gifts for me.

I thought I would never be alone again.

But this small affection I had briefly possessed had been stolen by Elena too.

And I wouldn't miss it.

Amid the festive atmosphere, guests brought gifts for Elena.

She opened them one by one—from luxury bags to exquisite jewelry. Her smile never faded.

The last two gifts, from Vittorio, Isabella, and Vincenzo, caused a sensation when they were announced.

"After careful consideration, Madre and I have decided to name Elena as the sole heir to the Rossi family," Vittorio announced excitedly. "From now on, she won't just be our principessa. She will inherit all of our family's businesses and assets!"

Vincenzo continued, "The gift I give Elena is the Corleone family heirloom. The elders told me that any couple who wears these rings will be together for life. Elena, you are the only woman I want to marry. Thank you for being in my life."

Under everyone's gaze, Vincenzo personally slipped the rings on Elena's fingers and pulled her into a deep kiss.

The hall erupted in cheers, applause, and screams of blessing.

Watching this, my heart felt heavy and oppressed.

Just as I was about to slip away, one of Elena's maids stopped me. "The mistress requests your presence. She wants to introduce you to the families."

I knew I couldn't refuse, so I followed her to where Elena was.

Seeing me, Elena spoke loudly, attracting everyone's attention. "Lena, did you hear that? Vincenzo gave me the family heirloom and proposed to me. As my sister, shouldn't you congratulate me?"

The crowd immediately chimed in.

Only Vincenzo's gaze faltered for a second before locking onto the necklace in my hand.

"Why do you have this pin?"

He remembered the texture of this pin. Five years ago in the safe house, he had touched it countless times, listening to the girl say it was her most precious possession.

But after being with Elena, she had never mentioned it. Now it was on Lena.

I looked up, meeting his incredulous gaze, and instinctively touched the pin on my bracelet.

During Vincenzo's blindness, though I knew he couldn't see, I still dressed up to visit him. Every time, I wore this meaningful pin.

He would always touch it when he held my hands, asking me what it meant.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Vincenzo suddenly grabbed my wrist, his tone urgent. "Answer me! Why do you have this pin? Who are you?"

I never thought Vincenzo wouldn't recognize me, but he would recognize this pin.

My emotions tangled inside me, but before I could speak, Elena cut me off.

"Lena," she said loudly, "This is the pin Father gave me. When did you steal it?"

"This pin doesn't belong to you." My voice was soft, but it made the entire banquet hall fall silent. "It was left to me by my grandfather. He gave it to me, hoping I would inherit his spirit and protect the Rossi family."

This was why, in my past life, I had endured Vittorio and Isabella's abuse until the day I died.

Elena's expression changed immediately. She clung to Vincenzo's arm, her eyes red-rimmed. "Sister, how can you say that? Grandpa had just passed away when you were five years old. How could you possibly remember this? This pin was always kept in Father's study. He gave it to me personally."

My father stepped in to support Elena. "Lena, stop these lies! This pin was given to Elena by me. If you continue to defame her, you're betraying the family!"

Then Elena came over to snatch the bracelet. Her sharp nails scratched several bloody marks on the back of my hand.

I winced in pain and tried to pull my hand back. Elena then pretended to fall backward.

Seeing this, Vincenzo's expression darkened. He instinctively pulled Elena into his arms, looking at me with a chilling gaze. "So that's it. I thought..."

"So you stole Elena's pin and tried to cause trouble at the alliance celebration? You've brought shame to the Rossi family!"

Hearing him believe Elena without giving me a chance to explain, a chill went through me.

I had actually held a sliver of hope, expecting him to see the truth and recognize who I was.

At that moment, Isabella suddenly threw a glass of red wine in my face. "Ungrateful child! If it weren't for Elena's kindness, taking you in when you came out of juvenile detention, you should have been exiled. Instead of being grateful, you dare to steal from her now!"

Vincenzo looked at me with disgust. "According to mafia law, for disgracing the family symbol and damaging the alliance, you deserve the salted whip."

My father ordered soldiers to bring the salted whip. He stood before me himself. "Today you'll learn that the Rossi family has no place for traitors!"

The first lash fell. My back felt like it was burning. The salt water seeped into my wounds, making me tremble all over.

I refused to yield, stubbornly repeating, "I didn't steal anything. This pin... it was... mine. Grandpa gave it to me!"

But Vincenzo—was bending down to comfort Elena, not even looking in my direction.

After fifty lashes, I lay on the ground, blood soaking through my black shirt and spreading across the marble floor.

Guests all stepped back.

I used my last bit of strength to open my eyes. My father and mother didn't even look at me. They turned back to greeting their guests.

And Vincenzo, without a glance, carried Elena away and left the party.

In the grand celebration hall, only I remained, broken and bleeding on the cold floor.

Not until the next morning did I regain enough strength to go to the family private clinic by myself to treat my wounds.

Even the experienced doctor was clearly shocked when he saw the whip marks on my back. Cleaning and bandaging them took nearly three hours.

I was sweating profusely from the pain. Several of my nails broke during the treatment, but I never made a sound.

During the two days I rested at the clinic, my wounds began to scab. During this time, Elena sent me provocative messages every day.

"Father has agreed to turn your room into an arsenal display. The new shipment from South America that Vincenzo gave me needs the space. When are you going to move your junk out?"

"Vincenzo took me to Milan to get my dress. The designer said the fabric would take three months to source. Vincenzo just bought out the entire workshop and made them work overnight."

In the photo, Vincenzo's gaze on Elena was full of tenderness. Looking at this, I felt nothing inside.

I didn't reply to any messages. After my condition slightly improved, I returned to my room to pack my bags. Besides necessary documents and a few personal items, I threw everything else away.

The housekeeper saw this and cautiously came over to remind me, "Miss Lena, Miss Elena said you should move to the storage shed next to the warehouse. It might leak, but you can store your things there... There's no need to throw everything away..."

"Never mind," I cut him off, looking at the empty room. "I won't need these things anymore. I'm leaving New York soon. I won't be back."

The housekeeper looked surprised. "You're leaving? But..."—Everyone in the Rossi family knew that Sicily was the family's "exile ground." Only those abandoned by the family were sent there, and no one ever returned.

Before he could finish, Vincenzo pushed the door and walked in. "Who's leaving?"

Elena came out of the bedroom and pouted. "You're here so early! I'm not ready yet."

Vincenzo smiled and pinched her nose. "That's okay. I can wait.

"I don't know which dress to choose," Elena said, playing her part. "You have good taste. Help me pick one."

The two of them returned to the bedroom laughing and closed the door. I averted my eyes silently and zipped up my suitcase.

The whole day, Vincenzo and Elena were inseparable. They kissed on the balcony, letting her lipstick stain collar. Vincenzo personally supervised his men moving weapons as "gifts" for the other families the next day. He also had his private tailor adjust Elena's dress. Elena sat in the living room, calling me over from time to time, ordering me around like a servant to fetch champagne and jewelry boxes.

"Lena, look at this brooch," Elena held up a sapphire-encrusted brooch that Vincenzo had acquired by trading two opium processing plants. "Vincenzo says this stone glows in the dark. That way, no matter where I am, he can always find me."

The servants whispered among themselves: "Mistress and Mr. Vincenzo really love each other. They're not even married yet, but they're already as sweet as a newlywed couple."

"Mistress has been doted on since childhood. Now with Mr. Vincenzo's affection, she'll become even more spoiled."

"Poor Miss Lena. She never got attention growing up, and now she has to give up the man she loves to her sister."

Hearing their gossip through the door, I lowered my eyes. I had questioned fate countless times about why it was so unfair. But after dying once, I finally understood: things I have to fight for were never meant for me.

This applies to family love, as well as romantic love.

In the evening, a servant informed us that my parents had booked a table at the restaurant on the hillside and wanted us all to have dinner together. I wanted to decline, but Elena forcefully pulled me into the car.

On the way, no matter what Elena said, Vincenzo would immediately respond.

"After we get married, let's go to Europe for our honeymoon, okay? I want to see the northern lights, and I want to attend fashion week. You'll have to take lots of photos for me. Set all your electronic devices to photos of me, and no two can be the same."

"Alright. I'll learn photography first. I have to capture your most beautiful moments. Then I'll hang the photos in my office and study. That way, whenever I miss you, I can just look up."

"It's a deal! When we have children, we can look through the photo albums together and remember the past. By the way, how many children do you want? Boys should be handsome like you, girls are better off like me..."

They chatted excitedly as if I didn't exist at all. I watched the scenery outside the window in silence.

The day of Vincenzo's cornea transplant surgery, I had been drugged and fell asleep. I dreamed that when he woke up, the first person he saw was me. From then on, his eyes could only hold me. He would always be by my side, preparing surprises, taking me to experience the world. He would kneel to propose, take my hand into marriage, and hold our children for a family photo.

In my dream, I had true love and a home of my own.

Unfortunately, when I woke up, everything vanished. I struggled so hard in the end, only to meet a brutal death.

Just as I was lost in thought, the screech of brakes snapped me out of it. I looked up to see a sports car speeding uncontrollably toward us.

A huge crash. Our car hit a bridge pillar. My body felt like it was falling apart. My forehead, arms, and legs were bleeding. The intense pain made me gasp for air.

It was an ambush. The rival Bernardos didn't want the Rossi-Corleone alliance, so they set up a trap on our route.

I forced my eyes open, blurred with blood. I saw Vincenzo helping a trembling Elena out of the car. Both doors were severely damaged, and the trunk was starting to catch fire.

I bit my lip to stay conscious and dragged my battered body out of the car. Every movement caused more blood to drop, staining the seats and ground.

I had barely crawled a few steps from the car when an explosion sounded behind me. In the towering flames, I fell to the ground. Watching the car burn, I felt cold all over. If I had been a few seconds later, or if I had lost consciousness, I might have died in the crash again.

From the moment of the accident until I saved myself, five minutes had passed. Vincenzo never once looked at me. Even when Elena was safe, he never thought to save me.

Watching his figure as he gently comforted Elena, I wore a tired, bitter smile. All my strength was gone, and my eyelids felt too heavy to keep open.

Half-conscious, I heard the sound of an ambulance and a nurse's urgent voice: "Miss Rossi's injuries are more serious! Her old wounds haven't healed, and she was at the center of the blast. The impact was the greatest. She's already lost consciousness from blood loss. Mr. Corleone, we recommend we take her to surgery first, otherwise her life may be in danger!"

Vincenzo's voice was merciless. "I only care about Elena's safety. She's injured too. You must save her first!"

"Lena, how are you feeling? Does it hurt badly?" My mother’s voice trembled, and for a moment, I thought I could feel the warmth of their concern. My father nodded quickly, echoing her, "Don’t worry, we’ll find the best doctor for you right away."

Just then, a sharp whimper cut through the air. Elena, who was lying beside me, suddenly clutched her arm and twisted her body, her voice rising: "Mom! Dad! It hurts so much… my arm feels like it’s broken…"

My parents’ heads snapped toward her. When they saw Elena’s contorted expression and the faint bloodstain spreading on her sleeve, their expressions changed instantly. My mother pulled her hand away from my forehead and hurried to Elena’s side, her tone switching to urgency.

"Elena! Oh my poor girl, why is there so much blood?" My father also let go of my hand, his gaze no longer on me. He turned to me, his voice hurried and distant, "Lena, you wait here for a bit first. Elena’s injury looks worse—we’ll take her to get treated first, and then come back for you right away."

My mother didn’t even look at me, just kept murmuring to Elena, "It’s okay, baby, we’ll fix this. Your wedding is coming soon, we can’t let you have any scars…"

Vincenzo, who had been standing quietly by the door, stepped forward and blocked my view of them. His face was still full of anxiety, but this time, it was clearly for me.

"Doctor," I spoke, my voice barely a whisper. "Don't worry about me. I can handle this myself."

I took the gauze the doctor offered and began to bandage my own wounds.

Vincenzo and my parents didn't spare me another glance. They got into the ambulance with Elena in their arms.

After tending to my wounds, I somehow made it to the hospital where I fell into a deep coma.When I regained consciousness, I was in a hospital bed. A nurse was changing my IV bottle. She sighed softly when she saw I was awake."You've been unconscious for three days. The concussion from the explosion combined with blood loss... the doctor says you need rest."I tried to move, but every wound protested. The nurse pressed my shoulder down. "Don't move. The whip marks on your back have reopened."

The door opened and Elena walked in. She wore a silk robe and looked concerned, but her eyes gleamed with triumph."I heard you woke up, so I came to see you," she said, sitting beside the bed. "Such a terrible accident, wasn't it? Thankfully, Vincenzo saved me in time."I didn't respond. She continued in her sweet but sharp voice: "Father has signed the papers, transferring all the family’s downtown shop rights to my name. After all, I'm marrying Vincenzo now—our families are merging, and I need to hold onto the key assets to match our status."

She leaned in, lowering her voice: "You have nothing left, Lena. No family support, no share of the business, not even the man you love. He belongs to me now. Why are you still here?"I closed my eyes, refusing to look at her triumphant face. She was right. I had nothing. It was time to leave.

That night, ignoring the pain, I got out of bed and made my final preparations. My passport, some cash, and the family jade pendant my grandfather left me. That was all I would take.I heard footsteps in the hallway and quickly hid behind the door. It was Vincenzo and Elena."The final agreement will be signed tomorrow," Vincenzo said. "The cooperation between our two families on the suburban development project will be unbreakable.""Father is very pleased you're handing over the construction material supply rights," Elena said with a smile in her voice. "After we're married, all the profit channels in the eastern district will be under our control."

Their voices faded down the hall. I leaned against the wall, my back wounds throbbing. None of this concerned me anymore.

For the next two days, I rested alone in the hospital room.Just before my discharge, my parents appeared. They weren't there to check on my injuries; they were here to give me instructions."Elena's engagement dinner is soon," my father said. "Since you promised to leave, do it quickly."I nodded calmly. Seeing how compliant I was, their expressions softened."For Elena's sake, you need to step aside." My mother handed me a bank card. "Once Elena and Vincenzo stabilize the family business and the development project starts making money, perhaps we'll come get you. The money is already on the card. Don't show your face around us again. This should be enough to live on in Chengdu."

After speaking, they turned and left, their footsteps hurried—Elena was trying on her engagement dress and needed their approval.I watched their backs. I took the ticket to Chengdu from my pocket and slowly tore it to shreds.Then I took out my phone and booked a flight to Xiamen. I would leave as they wished, but in a way they could never find me.

After leaving the hospital, I met with the family’s old advisor to sign a declaration of dissociation from the family."Miss," I placed the papers on the desk, my voice flat. "I want to cut ties with the Lin family."The senior paused, then sneered. "You're making the right choice. Once you're officially disowned, you'll have no access to any Lin family resources. If our business rivals target you, don't expect us to help you."

I signed my name on the documents and placed them in a wooden box.Along with it went the family jade pendant that had accompanied us through countless tough nights in the old workshop. I had wanted to show this token to Vincenzo countless times, but he never gave me the chance.Now I was leaving. None of it mattered anymore. Whether he wanted to hear the truth or not was no longer my concern. I would disappear completely and never be found.

That night, the noise from the engagement dinner preparations downstairs was deafening. I slept poorly.At dawn, I got up, ate a simple breakfast, and put my suitcase in the car.Just as I was about to leave, I ran into Vincenzo and Elena.I looked at Vincenzo in his tailored suit and gave a slight nod, calling him by the title for the first and last time: "Brother-in-law."

Vincenzo visibly froze. He glanced at the car behind me and frowned. "You don't need to attend the dinner. Just stay in your room."I knew they were worried I would cause trouble at the dinner. I shook my head and handed him the wooden box, my voice calm: "I'm not going to the dinner, and I won't bother your lives again. I wish you happiness. Goodbye."

I turned and got into the car, closing the door. Vincenzo watched the car start and looked uneasy. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Elena in her engagement dress cut him off."Vincenzo, help me adjust my veil!"Through the car window, I saw him casually hand the box to an assistant before turning and smiling as he reached out to fix Elena’s veil.

I took out my phone—blocking everyone's contact information. Everything related to the Lin family was deleted.The car slowly drove out of the villa area. I rolled down the window and threw my phone out. From now on, my old self was dead.And I, the new me, would have a completely different life.

As the plane took off, I looked out the window at the familiar buildings growing smaller. I felt no attachment, only relief. I was finally leaving this so-called "family."I had wanted to leave since I was a child because I clearly saw how my parents treated us differently. Whether it was in life or emotions, I always felt like an outsider in their eyes.I even wondered if I was their real daughter, but the fact was I was. Elena's sister. That reality was even more painful—the only explanation was that they simply didn't love me.Because they didn't love me, they could sacrifice me without hesitation. Just like when they made me take the fall for Elena without a second thought.

As for Vincenzo, I had thought he was my salvation. When he was blind and abandoned by his family, I secretly visited him in the old warehouse every day. What attracted me wasn't his status as the heir to the Zhou family’s business, but the fragile yet gentle soul I found in the darkness.So I fell for him without reservation, even anonymously donating one of my corneas so he could see again.But now he firmly believed the person who had been with him was Elena. No matter how I explained or proved it, he refused to believe.

The plane hit turbulence, shaking slightly. A sharp pain shot through my back. The wounds from the whipping hadn't fully healed. I couldn't help but gasp. Since Elena had pushed me into the pool, I had become especially sensitive to cold. Even under two blankets, I still felt chilled.I instinctively pulled the blanket tighter, but it didn't help much. Just as I was about to ask a flight attendant for another one, the man beside me handed me his blanket.I froze for a moment."I won't be using it," his voice was warm and pleasant. "You can have it."He wore a clean white shirt and a mask, revealing only a pair of exceptionally beautiful eyes."Thank you." I took the blanket and felt much warmer. As fatigue washed over me, I fell asleep.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be arriving at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport..."The announcement woke me. I was surprised to find I had slept for nearly two hours; my back and legs were numb.Thirty minutes later, I glanced at the time while holding my luggage. I had arrived earlier than planned. Looking at my empty message list, I had already grown accustomed to it. Even if I did disappear, no one would probably notice.Now that I was in a new place, I didn't want any connections to my past. People, things, memories—I had let them all go.Walking out of the airport, Xiamen's sun was bright and dazzling. The sea breeze in Xiamen was warm, just like my gradually healing heart.

Meanwhile, the wedding of the Coleone family was absolute chaos.

My sister, Elena, was about to marry the man I'd once loved deeply—Vincenzo Coleone.

Just as the ceremony was about to begin, a small boy playing nearby bumped into Elena, slightly dirtying the bottom of her dress. It was barely noticeable and could have been easily wiped clean.

Yet Elena let out a sharp cry. "My dress!"

There was little panic in her voice, mostly a sense of being offended. She shoved the stunned boy hard, her eyes scanning the room. "Whose unruly child is this? Who let them in? Get them out of here now!"

The innocent child froze, terrified on the verge of tears.

At the commotion, Vincenzo strode quickly over. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit with the Coleone family crest pinned to his lapel.

But when he saw the blatant, almost harsh impatience on Elena's face, his footsteps stopped dead in their tracks.

In his memory, the girl who had stayed with him during his blindness had always been gentle, quiet, and kind. She would never be so volatile.

He stared at Elena, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.