The Capo's Counterfeit Queen

My twin sister, Seraphina, is obsessed with the fantasy of being a "mafia queen." Her lifelong dream is to marry Alessandro Valeriano, the heir to the Valeriano crime family in Chicago.

She lands a job restoring an antique oil painting at the Valeriano estate, where Alessandro is secluded while recovering from a turf war injury. But she quickly tires of the tedious work and convinces me to take her place.

When Alessandro finally recovers and hosts a party to announce his return, Seraphina plans to drug him, hoping to trap him and secure her place as the next Valeriano matriarch.

This time, I don't stop her. I even use her key card to get her into one of the estate's guest rooms.

In my past life, I had pleaded with Seraphina not to do it. I warned her that those glamorous fantasies weren't reality and that a man like Alessandro was a true mafioso—not someone to be trifled with. Surprisingly, she listened to me and called off her plan.

But soon after, news broke that Alessandro had entered an arranged marriage with another family. Just like that, Seraphina's grand fantasy was shattered.

She blamed it all on me. So did my parents, who beat me and cursed me, saying it was all my fault that Seraphina failed to marry into the Valeriano family.

One snowy night, Seraphina had a complete mental breakdown. She walked into my room with a heavy crystal ashtray and bludgeoned me to death.

Now, I've been given a second chance. I awoke on the night of Alessandro's party.

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1

"Now that he's back, your job is done. You don't have to pretend to be me anymore."

My twin sister, Seraphina Donnelly, stood before me, a cruel smirk twisting her lips. She brandished the expensive bottle of whiskey as if it were a scepter, her key to a throne. "This stuff is potent. It cost me a fortune, but all it takes is a few drops in his drink, and I'll be the next Mrs. Valeriano!"

She looked triumphant, already lost in a fantasy where she’d ensnare Alessandro Valeriano—the fearsome Capo of the Valeriano family—and rule the city's underworld as his queen.

I remained calm. I didn't try to stop her like I did in my past life.

"Alright," I said flatly. "Good luck."

But Seraphina wasn't going to let me off that easily. She grabbed my arm and leaned in, her voice a low whisper.

"And don't even think about leaving. You've been playing my part for weeks, restoring that damn painting. You know the estate's layout, the staff—everything I don't. You're sticking by my side with this mask on until I get what I want."

Then she tossed a lavish Venetian mask at me. "Cover your face. If anyone finds out the truth and ruins my plan, I'll kill you."

I just gave her a thin smile. "Got it."

After weeks of posing as Alessandro's art restorer, I was sure of one thing: he was anything but a spoiled, simple-minded heir. As the de facto leader of the Valeriano family, he was shrewd and ruthless. Seraphina thought she could trick him, but she was walking straight into her own grave.

And I had no intention of getting in her way.

Seraphina strode toward him, holding the carefully prepared glass of whiskey. Alessandro drank it without hesitation, and within minutes, an unnatural flush spread across his handsome face as his body began to sway.

Playing the part of the concerned companion, Seraphina rushed to help him upstairs.

On the way, I used her key card, opening the door to a guest room. "The room is ready."

Her eyes lit up. "Looks like you're not completely useless after all."

"Once I'm in, I'll have a Soldato or one of the bodyguards look after you. You'll be set for life. It's the least I can do."

"Stand guard outside. Don't let anyone ruin my big moment. If you screw this up, I'll have Mamma and Papa make you wish you were never born."

I didn't argue. I just followed them upstairs and then quietly positioned myself in the shadows at the end of the hall, rather than directly at her door.

A few minutes later, a dull thud echoed from inside the room.

Then the door was thrown open, and Alessandro stumbled out.