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.

Alessandro's breathing was heavy, his jaw tight with fury. He looked like a cornered beast, ready to tear someone to shreds.

Seraphina was crumpled on the floor, unconscious, with a bleeding gash on her forehead.

I knew it. I knew she'd never succeed.

For now, this was just a lesson. But once Alessandro sobered up, I doubted she would live to see another sunrise.

I let out a slow breath and was about to slip away in the chaos when an iron grip clamped down on my wrist.

The next second, Alessandro dragged me into the room next door.

I was still wearing the Venetian mask. My breath caught in my throat, my gaze locking with his as a cold wave of terror washed over me.

The room's dim lighting cast long shadows on the walls. He pinned me against the wall, his voice low and hoarse, burning with the drug's heat.

"Your scent... your silhouette... it's so familiar. Who are you?"

I froze. I couldn't possibly answer him. We had spent so much time together—if I spoke a single word, he would know it was me.

I couldn't let anything happen between us. If I did, my fate would be sealed, and I’d be trapped in this world just as surely as Seraphina.

I struggled to break free, but even drugged, Alessandro's strength was like iron, pinning me in place. I didn't stand a chance.

I opened my mouth to scream for help, but he suddenly lowered his head, his hot breath grazing my ear as he murmured, "Your eyes... they burn right through me..."

My whole body went rigid. For a second, I thought he recognized me.

Then he ripped off my mask and kissed me with an almost punitive force.

Panic seized me. I quickly plunged the room into darkness, but after that, there was no escape.

The next few hours passed in a chaotic blur of darkness and pain. It wasn't until late into the night that Alessandro's grip finally loosened, his strength gradually fading.

Every muscle in my body ached, but I forced myself to rise and get dressed.

I wasn't Seraphina, lost in some fairytale about becoming a mafia queen. I knew a man like that wouldn't fall for a naive girl; he'd devour her. I wouldn't let myself get trapped in a mess I couldn't escape.

So while he slept, I slipped out. I didn't hesitate, and I didn't look back. I would just pretend none of it ever happened.

But just as I was leaving the room, I saw a man I recognized—Finn Costello, a known figure from another family—emerging disheveled from the room next door.

He let out a low whistle when he saw me.

I glanced past him into the room. Clothes were strewn everywhere, and Seraphina lay on the bed, her dress torn, completely passed out.

Remembering how she had murdered me in my past life, I just quietly closed the door and walked away.

I returned home to find my parents rushing to greet me, both holding plates piled high with food, their faces gleaming with greedy excitement.

"Seraphina, darling, you're finally home!"

But then their smiles froze.

"Aurora? What are you doing here? Where's Seraphina?"

"We told you to stay with her! Your one job was to make sure nothing went wrong!"

I stared at them, the familiar sting of their favoritism now a dull ache. If it weren't for the fact that Seraphina and I were identical, I would have sworn I was adopted.

I walked past them without a word. "I'm just here to pack my things. I'm moving out."

My mother's face twisted into an ugly mask of rage. "What did you say? How can you afford rent?"

I folded my clothes into a suitcase, speaking slowly, almost calmly. "If Seraphina really marries into the Valeriano family, they're going to want to visit. What do you think will happen when they find out their future matriarch has an identical twin? Of course, if you want me to stay and explain everything, I can…"

Their concern for Seraphina vanished the moment they realized my presence could jeopardize her future.

They practically shoved me out the door.

"Get out! Don't be a nuisance here. I don't want you ruining Seraphina's good fortune and dragging our family down!"