My entire life has been lived in the shadow of my sister Cassandra's glow.

She was the Rinaldi family's cherished Principessa, the prize every heir coveted.

And on the eve of her engagement party, I awoke from a coma... reborn.

Just as she had in my past life, she wore that same sickeningly sweet smile, playing the part of the generous older sister for all to see by insisting that I, her bastard half-sibling, choose my husband first.

But this time, I would not fall for her act.

In my last life, I naively believed she genuinely had my best interests at heart.

I foolishly yielded, letting her guide my hand. I chose Angelo, the Caruso heir who feigned madness—a man known for his explosive, unpredictable rage.

I became his keeper, a wife in name only, never receiving a shred of the affection I deserved.

The peace shattered at the christening of Cassandra's eldest son, when gunmen from a rival family stormed the church. A bullet was meant for the infant heir in her arms.

In that instant, Angelo—the man everyone believed had been lost to madness for years—moved with terrifying clarity.

He lunged to protect Cassandra, but in the chaos, he shoved me directly into the path of the bullet. The slug that pierced my body also shattered my heart.

As I lay in a pool of my own blood, I saw him shield my sister, his body a barricade against any further attack.

Only then did I finally understand. He had never been ill. His family had never abandoned him.

He’d faked it all. The madness was a performance, a fortress he’d built because he could never have Cassandra, an excuse to refuse any woman who wasn't her.

In the final moments of my life, he apologized. "I'm sorry, Seraphina. I lied to you. But I can't… I can't let anything happen to Cassandra. In the next life, I swear I'll make it up to you."

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the night our father ordered us to choose our husbands.

This time, it was their turn to beg.

————————

1

"You choose first, my dear Seraphina."

"Given your background… you need a powerful husband to protect you."

Cassandra cooed in that sickly sweet voice, playing her role as the loving sister, just as she had in my past life.

Her eyes, however, betrayed her. Her gaze was fixed on one man.

Marco, heir to the formidable Volpe family, whose power far outstripped that of the supposedly insane Angelo.

It was an open secret that she and Marco were in love, that our father intended to unite their houses.

In my previous life, to preserve her perfect love story, I chose Angelo, his violent reputation be damned.

I thought I was being selfless, looking at the bigger picture. I never imagined I was walking into a living hell.

Even now, the ghost of that bullet tearing through me is a phantom pain in my soul.

The slug ripped through my flesh. I collapsed onto the hard marble, a pool of my own blood instantly warming the stone beneath me.

Angelo's private doctors rushed in but didn't spare me a single glance.

They swarmed Cassandra, who had only a minor scrape, treating her like she was at death's door.

Through my fading consciousness, I watched her curl into Angelo’s arms, her sobs wracking her body. “Angelo, it hurts so much… It’s all my fault. I was angry with Seraphina and sent my bodyguards away in a fit of pique…”

The family elders praised her to the heavens. What a pure Principessa! So grievously wounded, they thought, yet she refused to speak a single ill word against her bastard sister.

She basked in their sympathy while I lay on the ice-cold floor, my life bleeding away.

Only when my heart had nearly stopped did she finally gasp, a dramatic performance of sudden realization.

"Save Seraphina! Why are you all just standing there? Go to her, please!"

Her tears traced perfect paths down her flawless cheeks.

In the moment of my death, I finally saw my dear sister for the viper she truly was.

So when my father, Don Giovanni, asked who I wanted, a faint smile touched my lips.

"Since my sister is being so considerate, I'll accept her kind offer."

"I want Marco."

"What did you just say?" The smile on Cassandra's face shattered. Tears instantly welled in her eyes.

"Seraphina, you know that Marco and I…"

In the corner, Angelo, who had been staring blankly into space, snapped his head up, his eyes wide with shock.

The terrible wrath of a Don descended upon the hall, freezing the air.

My father's hand cracked across my face, the sharp sound silencing the crowd's murmurs.

"Know your place! Marco is the heir to the Volpe family."

"Do you really think a girl of your station is worthy of him? He needs a wife of equal standing!"

"Besides, you know how your sister feels about him. How dare you challenge her in public? Are you trying to humiliate this family?!"

My mouth filled with the coppery taste of blood, but I couldn't suppress the laugh that escaped my lips.

I straightened my spine and met his gaze.

"Papa, if you'd already decided, why bother with this charade? Are you afraid someone might accuse you of playing favorites?"

Cassandra's eyelashes fluttered. "Seraphina, don't say that. Papa loves you too. How could you be so cruel?"

As we argued, Angelo, who had been in a daze, suddenly stood.

"Don Giovanni, I propose a trade."

"I will offer half the profits from the Caruso family's East Coast ports—control of all shipping and trade routes—as a bride price."

"On one condition: I marry your eldest daughter, Cassandra."

I stared at Angelo, a disbelieving rage searing through me.

I couldn't believe it. The monster who had hidden behind a mask of madness for three years was actually stepping forward now.

His eyes met mine across the room. For a fleeting second, a hint of regret flashed in their arrogant depths before he looked away, almost ashamed.

Something wasn't right. I searched his face, and then a chilling realization hit me like a shard of ice. He remembers. He remembers everything.

So, even after watching a bullet tear through my heart in our past life, he still couldn't bear to see Cassandra with another man.

To have her, he was throwing his biggest chip on the table.

Half the profits from the Caruso ports. The moment my father heard the offer, greed extinguished the fury in his eyes.

He had always planned to use his daughters for alliances. This was a deal he couldn't refuse.

What's more, the Carusos were far more powerful than the Rinaldis. To be chosen by Angelo was a distinct honor.

"Done!" Father didn't hesitate. "Since Don Angelo is so taken with Cassandra, the marriage is settled. Seraphina, you will marry Marco."

The moment he finished, Marco shot to his feet.

He sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "Marry her? Don't make me laugh."

"A bastard who's barely fit to see the light of day?"

"Seraphina, take a good look in the mirror. You could never hold a candle to Cassandra."

My father’s fury exploded. “Marco, what is the meaning of this?” he thundered, his face a mask of rage. “In my own house? You dare humiliate my daughter under my roof?”

Marco didn't flinch. His eyes were cold with disdain. "My apologies, Don Giovanni. But my wife can only be Cassandra."

"Marry Seraphina? I'd rather die alone."

Cassandra shot me a look of feigned sympathy, but a triumphant smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Marco, don't be so cruel. Have you forgotten… when we were children? Wasn't there some affection between you and Seraphina? I still remember you crying your eyes out, begging someone to save her."

She spoke softly, stroking Marco's arm with a cloying intimacy.

If she hadn't mentioned it, I might have forgotten that foolish moment from our childhood.

In a way, Marco and I did grow up together. We were playmates.

When we were ten, he ditched his bodyguards and dragged me on an "adventure." We were ambushed by men from a rival family.

To buy Marco time to get help, I drew the gunmen away. He escaped; I was captured.

They broke my arm and threw me into a freezing river. Somehow, I survived, but the trauma carved deep scars into my soul. I became timid and withdrawn, afraid of my own shadow.

Now, Marco gazed at Cassandra, his expression softening.

"How could I forget? If you hadn't heard the commotion and brought the guards, they would have torn me apart. You saved me, Cassandra."

Then, he shot me a look of pure disgust, as if I were filth on his shoe.

"If you hadn't held that so-called 'debt' over my head all these years, I would have proposed to Cassandra long ago."

A triumphant smile flashed across Cassandra's lips before she quickly hid it, burying her face in Marco's neck.

I took a deep breath, my voice steady.

"Since my dear sister is so in love with Marco, yet can't bear to hurt Angelo, why don't you simply take them both?"

Cassandra's face flushed crimson, as if I'd mortally wounded her honor.

"Seraphina, how could you say such a thing? Have you no shame?"

"And what would you get out of this? Who would even have you then?"

"I don't know what the future holds," I said, rising slowly, my voice firm. "But right now, I want neither of them."

Both men stared at me.

Marco's eyes held a condescending amusement. Angelo's gaze turned sharp, dangerous, his brow furrowed as if he were trying to see right through me.

I avoided his stare. The memory of my husband from a past life, the man who let me take a bullet for his true love, sent a shard of ice through my heart.

Father crushed the whiskey glass in his hand, shards digging into his palm.

"Enough! You are a daughter of this family. Your duty is to marry for the family's advancement. You think you have a choice?"

I stood my ground against his crushing presence, meeting his furious gaze without an ounce of fear.

"There are other ways to serve the family besides marriage."

"For the past three months, I know the Las Vegas underworld has been paralyzed by an art forgery crisis. No restorer can solve it."

"Send me there. I will restore the paintings and our family's credibility. Consider it the price of my freedom."

In my last life, my father had confiscated the masterpieces I restored, all in the name of family honor.

He presented them to Cassandra, who shamelessly claimed my work, basking in the fame and fortune it brought her.

Meanwhile, I wasted my time brewing useless remedies for Angelo's so-called madness.

When I ran out of rare materials, I went to Cassandra for help.

She laughed in my face, then had her guards break my fingers and throw me out like a stray dog.

And for what? I could never fill the void in Angelo's heart.

I learned my lesson: giving your heart to a man who has no room for you is a slow, agonizing suicide.

Now that God has given me a second chance, I refuse to make the same mistake.

Thanks to that fool Marco, my father was more than happy to be rid of me.

That, at least, saved me some trouble.

Without a second glance, I left for Las Vegas.

There, no one cared about the Rinaldi blood in my veins. To them, Cassandra was the one and only Principessa. I was less than her shadow.

But that didn't matter. I had my own ambitions, and now, the power to achieve them.

In the past, my life had revolved around Angelo. I had neglected my own talent.

For three months in Vegas, I threw myself into my work, using my expertise to solve problems that had stumped collectors for years.

Soon, I single-handedly restored a masterwork thought to be lost forever, ending the forgery crisis that had gripped the city.

The collectors, who had known only despair, bowed their heads to me in gratitude.

In the city of sin, my name became a symbol of rebirth. I was a master restorer.

Finally, I was no longer Cassandra's backdrop. I'd had enough of that to last a thousand lifetimes.

Unexpectedly, just as I was making a name for myself, my father, who I assumed wanted nothing more than for me to crawl back and accept a marriage, sent a summons I couldn't ignore.

When his voice came over the phone, his tone was uncharacteristically magnanimous.

"Seraphina, you have proven your worth. Come home. Your birthday is approaching, and I've prepared a grand banquet in your honor."

Against my better judgment, a foolish flicker of hope for a father's love urged me to return.

I journeyed home, only to find the banquet hall utterly empty.

A servant informed me that everyone, including my father, was on the other side of the estate, attending a lavish party hosted by Cassandra.

I spent my birthday alone, with a single slice of cake, tears of rage and humiliation streaming down my face.

As I left the empty hall, I ran into Cassandra and her entourage as they were leaving their own celebration.

Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were venomous with jealousy.

"Seraphina, I heard you made quite a name for yourself in Las Vegas, cozying up to all those old collectors. How utterly shameless."

She covered her mouth in mock horror. "They say there's a dirty way to fix those impossible pieces, by trading certain… favors with the restorer. Is that how you did it? You're a disgrace to this family."

She glanced at the tall, brooding Angelo beside her, a cruel idea lighting up her face.

"Oh, I see. Debasing yourself just to get a man's attention. Well, you won't have to worry about that for long. Father has already arranged a new husband for you."

"I hear your new fiancé has beaten several wives to death, but at least he's a Capo."

"From now on, you can forget Las Vegas. I'll be taking over your studio. It's time someone stopped you from tarnishing our family's name."

My face was a mask of calm, but inside, a volcano was erupting.

"I built that studio with my own two hands. You know nothing about restoration, yet you think you can just waltz in and take over? Why in God's name should I hand my life's work over to you?"

"Can't you stand that I'm no longer just your shadow? I owe you nothing. You touch what I've built, Cassandra, and I swear on my life, you will regret it."

Cassandra, shocked by my defiance, blinked in surprise.

But she recovered in an instant, the tears starting on cue.

"Seraphina, I'm just worried about you. How could you say such awful things?"

"I know you're jealous of me, but I just don't want to see you suffer..."

I couldn't even be bothered to roll my eyes. I turned to leave.

A strong scent of cedar closed in. Angelo's large hand clamped down on my arm.

His voice was low. "You've gotten bold."

I looked up at him, her loyal protector, and gave a bitter, silent laugh.

"Apologize to Cassandra." His tone was a command, imperious and absolute.

He used his other hand to lift my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his.

I peeled his fingers from my chin, one by one, then took a sharp step back.

"Save your heroics. Your protection is worthless to me, especially when you couldn't even be bothered to attend my birthday banquet."

His hand froze in mid-air. My cold dismissal had rendered him speechless.

He probably never imagined I could look at him with such utter, chilling indifference.

"You…" His throat worked, but no words came out.

I didn't spare him another glance. I packed my things, planning to return to Las Vegas that very night.

A few days later, however, just as I was leaving, Marco and Angelo blocked my path.

Marco grabbed my collar and slammed me against a rough stone wall.

"It was you, wasn't it!" he roared, his eyes wild.

I stared at him, bewildered. For a second, I wondered if he was the one who was truly insane.

"Cassandra went to an underground casino to buy some legendary restoration manual. She was trying to one-up you, to take over your operation in Vegas!"

"Someone drove up the price, and she couldn't cover her bid. Now the casino's thugs are holding her hostage! You're not going anywhere until we get her back!"

On the way to the casino, Angelo took a deep breath.

"I know. You remember our past life, too."

I glanced at him, a silent acknowledgment. After a moment, I spoke. "And what if I do? Are you still going to take her side?"

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The absurdity of it all made me shake my head. "Angelo, after dying once, is 'sorry' the only word you know?"

The next second, he lunged across the seat, pinning me and crushing his lips against mine.

"Seraphina," he gasped, pulling back an inch, his forehead resting against mine. "I swear to God, this is the last time I let anyone hurt you."

"We're just putting on a show to get your sister back. I'll keep you safe."

"This time, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

I wiped the ghost of his kiss from my lips. A cold smile formed. "Angelo, just one question. Are you really so blind you can't see this is all an act?"

Angelo hesitated, his gaze shifting away. "I… I'm not sure."

Not sure, or just telling himself another convenient lie?

What a joke.

They both knew her games, yet here they were again, pushing me to the front lines.

Stepping into the VIP room of the underground casino was like entering another world.

The air was thick with the stench of stale whiskey and old blood.

A pile of blood-stained IOUs sat on a rough iron table.

Cassandra was chained to a wall, a pathetic, wretched sight.

Her skin was chafed raw from the cuffs, her makeup streaked with tears, her eyes wide with terror.

Marco rushed towards her. "Cassandra, where are they hurting you?!"

"Back off. Who said you could touch the merchandise?"

The casino boss sneered, snapping his fingers.

Several thugs stepped forward, pressing the flat of their knives to Marco's chest.

"Cut the crap. Pay up, or this little Principessa goes on the auction block."

Angelo's eyes were bloodshot. He growled, "How much?"

"Ten million dollars. Not a penny less." The boss tapped the IOUs, a cruel smile on his face.

Marco sucked in a sharp breath. "That much?"

Even if they emptied their family coffers, they couldn't raise that kind of money on such short notice.

In that instant, the last shred of reason fled from Marco's eyes.

He stared at the IOU, then turned to me, his face a mask of malice.

"Seraphina has Rinaldi blood too! Let her stay in Cassandra's place!"

I froze. Every bloodthirsty gaze in the room swung to me.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Angelo's roar was deafening, the full authority of a Don behind it.

But Marco just sneered. "If Seraphina hadn't tried to steal the restorer's title, deliberately humiliating Cassandra, she never would have come to this godforsaken place! Cassandra is the victim here. It's only right that Seraphina cleans up her own mess!"

The casino boss threw his head back and laughed.

"Interesting. Since they're both Don Giovanni's daughters, a swap is acceptable."

"But this young man is too merciful. We'll sell her to a sheik in the Middle East. I hear they have a particular taste for Italian women."

"Or, we could always part her out. There's good money for organs on the black market."

Rage contorted Angelo's face. "I will never agree to this!"

But a piercing scream from Cassandra cut through the room.

"Angelo, save me! The shackles are silver, they're burning my skin! Please, take me away from here…"

Angelo's resolve wavered. His fists were clenched so tight his nails drew blood.

Finally, he turned to me.

His eyes held a struggling, pathetic plea.

"Seraphina, you don't want to see your sister suffer like this, do you?"

"You'll stay here. Just for a little while. I swear on my life, I will find a way to come back for you."

"Besides, you're a genius restorer. They wouldn't dare really hurt you."

A cold dread seeped into my bones. I looked up at him, a bitter smile on my lips. "Angelo, are you serious? You're leaving me here for her?"

Conflict raged in his eyes.

Guilt, desperation, and a bottomless well of indecision.

"Seraphina," he said, his voice low, "I will come back. I promise."

Marco's brow was furrowed with impatience. "What's the big deal? Just wait here while we get the money. Cassandra endured it. Why can't you?"

Cassandra had men who would die for her. I had only betrayal.

As the thugs grabbed my shoulders, I clung to Angelo's arm.

"Angelo! Are you really going to watch me be sacrificed again?!"

His whole body shuddered. He jerked his hand up, as if to push them away.

But Cassandra threw herself into his arms, prying my fingers from his sleeve.

"Angelo, I'm so scared! Those brutes nearly killed me! Let's go home, please, I can't stand another second in this place!"

At her cries, the last flicker of struggle in Angelo's eyes died.

He turned and held her trembling body.

"I know this isn't fair to you, but nothing can happen to Cassandra. She is the family's Principessa."

I burst out laughing. "So you sacrifice me? You'll just watch as they sell me off or dismember me?"

"You won't be harmed!" he said hastily, though I couldn't tell if he was reassuring me or himself. "The moment you're out, I'll let the whole world know you are my fiancée!"

The heavy iron door slammed shut, and the room fell silent.

The IOU on the table was swept to the floor, replaced by two glasses of whiskey.

The same thugs who had manhandled me moments ago dropped to one knee, their heads bowed.

The mask of misery fell from my face, replaced by a look of cold resolve.

"Proceed as planned," I commanded.

I pulled a document from my dress and tossed it on the table. It was a formal declaration, renouncing the Rinaldi name and all ties to the family.

Soon, the news would spread throughout the mafia world.

The man who had been posing as the casino owner peeled off his disguise. A knowing smile played on his lips as he raised his glass to me.

"I look forward to our partnership, my dear restorer."

The moment that door slammed shut, I was no longer a victim. I was an avenger. And I was here to take back what was mine.