I looked up at Tony, startled. I hadn't expected him to be the one to suggest it.

Something tight in my chest loosened its grip.

He had always been a good man at his core—why else would he have thrown himself in harm's way for me, over and over, in our past life?

The first time, I was seventeen, kidnapped by a rival faction. Tony came for me. They severed the tendons in his hand. He never regained full strength in it.

The second time, a fire. He shoved me clear of a collapsing beam, taking the full impact. Several broken ribs, second-degree burns across his back. I walked away with barely a scratch.

The third time, a gang shootout. A bullet meant for me tore through his shoulder. He nearly bled out that night.

The fourth time, he bankrupted a rival corporation. They took me hostage in retaliation. Their price for my release was for him to stab himself. He didn't hesitate.

How do you stop loving a man who has saved you like that? A man who, time and again, valued your life over his own?

When I didn't answer, his voice grew sharp with impatience. "Scarlett? If you don't want to go—"

"Alright," I interrupted softly. "After the election is over. I'd like that."

My easy agreement seemed to throw him off balance.

"I'll have someone take you home. Focus on preparing for tomorrow." He changed the subject, the words clipped. Then his phone rang. His brow furrowed deeply, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the device.

"It's Elma," he said after a moment. "She's sprained her ankle. I need to go. Someone will drive you."

"Go ahead," I urged, my voice carefully neutral.

He blinked, studying me. "You're different today. You used to make a scene whenever I went to see Elma."

I opened my mouth to explain, but the knowing look in his eyes stopped me.

"Oh, I see," he said, a dry, cynical edge to his voice. "You're so confident you'll win the election and become my wife that Elma doesn't seem like a threat anymore." He waved a dismissive hand, already turning away. "Forget it. Someone will be here for you shortly."

He didn't see the quiet sorrow on my face, or the finality settling in my heart. He had no idea that the Elma he was rushing to wasn't the woman he believed her to be.

Once, while out shopping with my sister, I'd seen Elma in a shadowy alley, entangled with the Don of a rival family. My sister had been livid, ready to confront her on the spot, but I held her back.

Later, my own investigations revealed Elma had been involved with several other Dons from opposing factions.

From that moment on, I had done everything in my power to keep Tony away from her.

He never knew. In his eyes, Elma was still that pure, radiant girl—an untarnished camellia.

I watched him disappear, then drew a steadying breath. My decision was firm: I would apply to study abroad as soon as possible.

His bodyguard drove me back to the Gambino estate.

Mrs. Gambino's face brightened when I entered. "Scarlett, you're here! Where's Tony?"

"He had an urgent matter to attend to," I said lightly.

She frowned. "You two are about to be married. How can he still be so consumed by work? Marriage is a commitment—he can't treat it so casually."

Mr. Gambino offered a conciliatory chuckle. "Ambition in a young man isn't a bad thing. Come, let's eat."

I took a silent, deep breath. Before I could second-guess myself, I spoke. "Mr. and Mrs. Gambino... I've withdrawn from the election. I'm preparing to study overseas. I'll be leaving soon."

I met their stunned gazes. "Tony and I aren't right for each other. He already has someone he loves. I want to step aside."

They both froze.

"Scarlett," Mrs. Gambino began, her voice laced with confusion and concern, "you've always loved Tony. And becoming Capo has always been your dream. Why give up now? Did he do something? Or is this because of Elma?"

Mr. Gambino sighed, his tone gentler, persuasive. "Scarlett, you know how Tony is. He might be harsh with his words, but look at his actions. He's risked his life for you, more than once. You, of all people, should know what that means."

I had heard those exact words before—in my last life, from so many people. I had believed them then.

And it led to nothing but ruin.

"Mr. and Mrs. Gambino, please understand," I said, my voice soft but firm. "This isn't a whim. I had a dream—so vivid it felt like a memory. In it, after Tony married me, he was miserable. Elma died in an accident, and he blamed me. He grew to hate me. No matter what I did, it only pushed him further away. He told me the greatest regret of his life was our marriage."

I paused, steadying myself. "I can't bear to see him live that life. I won't make that mistake again."

Mrs. Gambino reached for my hands, her expression deeply troubled. "Scarlett, it was just a dream. To throw away your future because of it... it's such a waste."

I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears. "It didn't feel like just a dream."

Mr. Gambino let out a long, weary sigh. "Very well. If your mind is made up, we will respect your decision. If you do not wish to marry him, you will not be forced."

I stepped forward and gently embraced Mrs. Gambino.

"Tony doesn't love me," I whispered. "He saved me because that's who he is—a good, selfless man. But in my dream, he died at thirty, saving me one last time. I'm terrified that future is real. I don't care who he marries; I just want him to live a long, happy life."

I managed a faint, sad smile. "Even if I can't be your daughter-in-law, I can still be like a daughter to you. I'll study hard overseas, and when I return, I'll stand by Tony's side as his ally. I will still help him build the family's legacy. That part hasn't changed."

Mrs. Gambino's eyes welled up. She pulled me into a tight hug, her voice thick with emotion. "Oh, my dear girl... you have such a good heart."

Perhaps this was enough to free Tony from the burden of me. Once he married Elma, the debt between us would be settled. The ledger would finally be clear.

That night, I stood alone on the balcony, gazing at the stars. I wondered if the sky over Paris looked the same. Two lifetimes, and I'd never made it there. When this was all over, I would go. I would see it for myself. No more regrets.

The sound of the door crashing open shattered the silence. I turned, a reflexive, hopeful smile touching my lips. "Tony? You're back?"

His voice was a lash of pure venom. "Scarlett! Elma called you for help! Why did you ignore her? She's been taken by Nico, the arms dealer! Are you satisfied now?"

I stood frozen, my blood running cold.

In my past life, Elma and I were kidnapped together. She took a bullet for me. But this time... she was taken alone.

The butterfly effect. My choices were already rewriting fate.

If I could save Elma now, perhaps I could erase Tony's regret forever.

I met his furious gaze. "Do you truly believe I would do that on purpose?"

"I don't care about your intentions!" he snarled. "The fact is, you didn't answer, and now she might die because of it!" His voice rose to a roar. "If anything happens to Elma, I will hate you for the rest of my life."

His words should have shattered me. The girl I was seven years ago would have screamed and wept, begging him to see the truth. But that girl was gone. He had hated me until his dying breath once before. Now, I just felt a vast, hollow emptiness.

"Tony," I said, my voice unnervingly calm. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to her. I will bring her back."

He let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "You? How could you possibly save her?"

Ignoring his scorn, I turned to my laptop, my fingers flying across the keys as I hacked into Elma's phone signal, triangulating her location.

A moment later, a video call window flashed on my screen. Nico's face appeared; Elma was bound and gagged behind him.

"Tony!" she sobbed. "Please, help me!"

I sent the coordinates to Tony's phone and slipped out into the night before he could stop me.

When I reached Nico's compound, I located the main power conduit and cut it. The villa plunged into darkness.

I moved like a ghost through the shadows until I found Elma. She flinched violently at my touch.

"Don't make a sound," I whispered, working at her ropes. "I'm getting you out."

But panic overtook her. She let out a piercing scream.

Shouts echoed through the house. The staccato burst of gunfire filled the air as I hauled Elma toward the nearest exit.

We stumbled into the courtyard just as Tony and his men arrived.

His eyes locked onto Elma, the raw fear in them a stark contrast to the hatred he'd shown me hours before.

"LOOK OUT!" he yelled.

I spun around. Nico stood in the doorway, his pistol aimed directly at Elma's back.

There was no time to think. I shoved her out of the way with all my strength.

And the bullet meant for her tore into me instead.

The bullet tore through my shoulder, and a searing pain burned through me before the world went black.

When I woke again, my shoulder was wrapped in gauze. Tony and Elma were nowhere to be seen. The hospital bustled with people. No one noticed me stirring in the corner bed.

From the next bed, a movie flickered on the small TV. The couple on screen stood beneath the Eiffel Tower, kissing.

It was a beautiful scene. Too bad, even with a second chance at life, I still never got to see it for myself.

When I turned my head, I saw Tony standing at the door, his face lit up with relief.

"Scarlett, you're awake! Thank God. Elma only got a few scratches. She's fine now, all thanks to you."

Seeing how pale and frail I looked, a trace of tenderness flickered in his eyes. He hesitated, then said awkwardly, "Earlier… I spoke too harshly. Don't take it to heart. But still, this whole thing started because you told on her. Don't do that again."

His words stung. My throat tightened, my chest ached. Seven years ago, I would've fought to defend myself—shouted, argued, cried. But now I just felt tired.

After a pause, Tony said, as if suddenly remembering, "I promised to take you to Paris, didn't I? Once you're better, let's go together."

I was startled he'd even remembered. But my time was running out. I shook my head.

"Forget it."

He handed me his phone. "Scarlett, I'm serious. I already booked the tickets. I'll keep my promise this time. Once you recover, we'll go."

"No, Tony," I said softly. "You don't owe me anything. You don't have to thank me or feel guilty. If anything, I owe you."

He caught something in my tone and tensed. "What do you mean by that?"

I tried to sit up, but pain shot through my shoulder. Tony rushed to help me, his hands trembling.

I could feel it—the tremor that never left him. Because of me, his hand tendons had been severed when he saved me. Even now, he couldn't lift anything heavy.

"Tony," I asked, my gaze fixed on his hand, "do you regret it now?"

His voice came firm and steady above me. "No. No matter who it was, I'd have done the same. I'd never regret saving someone."

"And the fire?" I looked at the scar on his shoulder, burned deep into his skin.

"That time too," he said. "I don't regret it."

"Thank you, Tony," I whispered. "You're a good man. I was lucky to meet you. But I repaid your kindness by forcing you to marry me. You must've hated me for that."

I smiled, and tears slipped down before I knew it.

Tony's hands trembled again. There was panic in his eyes.

"Scarlett, what are you talking about?"

Just then, one of his men rushed in.

"Don Gambino, Miss Russo is crying and looking for you."

Tony frowned, concern flashing across his face. He turned to me.

"I'll go check on her."

I wiped my tears, gave him a small, sweet smile.

"Tony, I've finally made up for your regret. I hope from now on your life will be peaceful, everything you wish for within reach."

He froze, startled by my words.

"I'm just going to see Elma—don't make it sound like we're saying goodbye. Wait here. I'll be right back."

I watched him walk away, his back straight and sure, and bitterness welled up inside me. My tears broke free again, falling fast and hot.

"Goodbye, Tony," I whispered.