On the party of our seventh year anniversary, Luca Romano wheels me into the venue. Both of us are dressed to the nines.

Our daughter, Sofia Romano, suddenly leans into Luca's ear and says in fluent Bellavian, "Dad, Ms. Celia is eight months pregnant now. Once she gives birth to my little brother, will they be living with us?"

Celia Amato is Sofia's private tutor. At the moment, she's staring at us jealously from a short distance away.

Luca lowers his head and tucks in the blanket on my lap lovingly. Then, he replies in Bellavian, "I've made a vow to your mother that I will never betray her. So, once Celia is done with her labor, I'll send them to another country overseas. If you miss your little brother, we can visit them together."

Once he's done speaking, he tries to kiss me. I lower my head quietly to avoid the kiss.

Luca doesn't know that I understand Bellavian because I've grown up in Sisse, Bellavia since I was a kid. He also has no idea that my legs were fully healed a week ago, and that I've uncovered the evidence of his affair with Celia in the estate's wine cellar.

Of course, he doesn't know that I've promised my grandma that I'll return to Bellavia and take over the family business. Once all the paperwork is done, I'll set off on a lone journey, and I will never return.

I, Elena Costa, was sick of watching them put on an act. Placing my hands on the wheels of my wheelchair, I prepared to leave.

Upon catching sight of my actions, Luca Romano rushed over and grabbed the handlebars of my wheelchair. Leaning down, he asked concernedly, "Why are you leaving all of a sudden? Are you feeling sick?"

"It's getting cold in the evening, so I'd like to go back," I explained reluctantly.

"But today's our anniversary. At least wait until we've cut the cake…" Nervousness flashed across Luca's eyes.

I refused to meet his gaze.

Luca immediately proposed to drive me home, but Pierre Rossi, his Underboss, held him back. "Don Romano, the party's just started. It wouldn't be a good look for you if you leave early. In addition, there are a few men asking for your help…"

Sofia Romano, our daughter, tugged at Luca's sleeves. "Papa, I'd like to stay to play with Ms. Celia Amato for a bit more. Please, could we not leave with Mom?"

Luca's expression turned grim. "Don't mention her name before your mother."

"What's there to be afraid of? It's not like Mom understands Italian."

Bitterness brewed in my heart at Sofia's words. I pushed Luca toward Sofia.

"I can leave on my own. They need you here."

Immediately, I asked one of the helpers to wheel me away. I didn't even give Luca the opportunity to convince me to stay.

As Rachel pushed me out of the garden where the party was held, I saw Celia coming our way. She kicked my wheelchair. I didn't know whether she'd done it on purpose, but she sent me careening into a nearby fence. My knee began bleeding.

Celia headed straight toward Luca and Sofia, gathering Sofia into her arms.

"Did you miss me after a day of being apart, Sofia?"

"Of course I did!"

Celia chuckled and said, "I'll give you a reward for that."

Sofia put her arms around Celia's neck and kissed her cheek. She'd never been so affectionate with me, her own biological mother.

Celia put Sofia back on the floor. Then, she looked at Luca. No words were exchanged, but her loving gaze said all that needed to be said.

Luca's eyes were filled with warmth as well. He asked one of the helpers to bring him an intricate box containing a gorgeous pink sapphire necklace. After removing it from the box, he helped her put it on.

"Don Romano's so kind! He treats his wife and his daughter's personal tutor well! A perfect man!"

"That necklace's gorgeous!"

His friends' eyes widened with amazement as they praised him fervently. Sofia clapped happily as well.

Watching them, I was overcome by a bone-deep chill.

Everyone wished them well.

I'd never felt such betrayal. All the people present knew they were together. However, they remained silent out of fear of Luca's power, keeping me in the dark.

I couldn't help but caress the box on my lap. The pearl earrings Luca had gifted me were nestled inside. He forgot I didn't like pearls, and the basic fact that I didn't even have piercings.

The necklace around Celia's neck was the only one of its kind. I had expressed my interest in it, but Luca gifted it to Celia today.

The servers wheeled a huge seven-tiered cake past me. One of them recognized me.

"Madre, your anniversary cake's here. Why don't you cut the first slice?"

Suddenly, the garden fell silent. Everyone's eyes turned to me. Luca was visibly uneasy. He retracted his hand from where it had rested around Celia's neck and strode toward me.

He explained that he was just giving Celia something and that I shouldn't overthink it.

Luca placed the knife in my hand and held it, saying, "Let's cut the cake together."

Seemingly behaving naturally, Luca didn't realize there were teeth marks on his neck left by Celia. He also failed to pick up on how Celia's fingers were pinching the corner of his shirt.

Behind Luca's back, our eyes met. Her gaze was smug and mocking.

Although I had prepared myself to leave, recalling what happened still felt like a stake through my heart.

I looked up at Luca. "Have you forgotten that I'm allergic to mangoes?"

The cake was almost entirely made of mangoes.

Tears shimmered in my eyes. Ignoring them, I asked the helpers to wheel me out of the garden and leave the hotel entirely.

In the car, I watched the buildings blur as we zipped through the streets. I felt isolated from the world.

When we were still in school, Luca had been the first to find out that I was being bullied by the bad boys in our class.

He was so anxious that he didn't even tell my Papa, Leonardo Costa, before bringing a bunch of his friends to face off with the bullies. Breaking their legs, he forced them to apologize to me.

When Leonardo found out, he praised Luca.

Luca cupped my face in his hands, as though I was precious to him. He told me to always tell him if anyone was bullying me so he could avenge me.

I said I was scared he'd be sanctioned by the school, but Luca replied that his sole purpose of staying alive was to protect me so I would never be wronged.

"If I ever wrong you or make you feel sad, I would be a useless man. You should leave me."

I was so touched that tears spilled from my eyes. Naively, I said, "I trust that you won't do anything that saddens me."

Luca had made the promise, but now it was he who was breaking it. It was time for us to go our own ways.

When I got home from the party, it was already past midnight.

My whole body ached, but my heart hurt the most. My pillowcase was soaked by my tears.

I fell for Luca at my 18th birthday party. Back then, Leonardo was still the Don of the Costa Famiglia. Luca was 25 years old and Leonardo's Underboss.

As I was cutting my cake, the sound of a gunshot rang out. A bullet lodged in Papa's heart. Another came flying at me.

Just as I thought I was going to die, I was shoved onto the floor. It was Luca lying atop me. He'd taken the bullet for me in his back.

Blood sprayed onto my dress. It was warm and sticky.

Luca was hospitalized for a month. The bullet had been less than an inch away from his heart.

A few days after my birthday party, Papa passed away. Before he died, he called Luca and me to his study. Taking both our hands, he placed them atop each other.

"Luca, I'm entrusting Elena to you. I want you to swear that you'll protect her forever and never betray her. If not, I will make sure you regret it, even if I have to climb out of hell to punish you," threatened Papa, his voice trembling.

Getting on one knee, Luca kissed the back of my hand and swore before Papa that he'd love me with all his heart, forever.

Papa smiled and nodded. After transferring control of the Costa Famiglia into Luca's hands, he took his last breath.

Luca proposed to me after Papa's funeral. I said yes.

After our marriage, we remained hopelessly in love. While our enemies were persecuting him, I got shot in my spine trying to protect him. From then onward, I was confined to my wheelchair, nothing more than a decorative Madre.

I thought our loving relationship would continue. Alas, a man's heart is the most fickle thing.

The sound of a lock turning clicked behind me. Luca walked into the bedroom. I did not move.

"Elena, you must be exhausted by tonight's events. I'll give you a massage," mumbled Luca. He embraced me from the back, fingers gliding down my shoulders. Clearly, he was asking for something.

In the past, I would've turned around and hugged him back, thanking him for being so considerate. However, all I felt now was disgust.

One week ago, I fully recovered from my spinal injury. I was about to head to the wine cellar to get some celebratory alcohol when Sofia took my hand for the first time, asking me to teach her to draw.

Before that, she'd always complained of my wheelchair being in the way. Sofia was disdainful of my inability to get along with Luca's friends and of my inability to take her riding or skiing. As a result, she'd never wanted to deepen our bond.

I hadn't stood up that day, as I was pretending that I hadn't regained the ability to walk. Yet, Sofia was enthusiastic in a way she'd never been.

I didn't read too much into it and just thought she'd finally rediscovered her love for me. Warmth rose in my heart. I even teared up, thinking that we'd all be happy again.

However, I was wrong.

While Sofia was in the bathroom, I headed to the cellar to take my wine when I heard scandalous noises coming from the cellar. At that moment, I couldn't tell whether it was devastation or fury from being betrayed that struck me first.

Sofia found me. Thinking I hadn't heard anything, she hastily led me away. Watching the anxious expression on her face, I understood. Sofia loved her personal tutor more than me.

Ever since that day, I stopped dreaming about sharing the truth of my recovery with them. I agreed to my Nonna's request and booked a plane ticket back to our hometown, Sicily. I didn't want Luca or Sofia anymore.

Yet, the man I no longer wanted was murmuring into my ear, "Elena, I love you…"

The sound of his moans from my memory suddenly overlapped with what he was saying now, echoing in my head.

I lurched upward and shoved Luca away.

He let out a pained groan and fell off the bed, knocking his head against the corner of the bedside table.

For a moment, I was taken aback. On instinct, I nearly reached out to help him. In the end, I didn't move.

Luca had picked up on my internal struggle and hesitation. Instead of getting mad, he pulled me into his arms.

"Are you feeling ill?"

I shook my head and replied, "I had a nightmare."

As though something had suddenly popped into his mind, Luca's arms tightened around me, looking extremely anxious. "Believe me, Elena. To each other, Celia and I are nothing more than a parent and a personal tutor. Please don't misunderstand us."

Parent and tutor? To him, was it appropriate for a tutor and her student's parent to get down and dirty in the wine cellar?

My heart was exhausted by his antics. I no longer wanted to pay him any attention. I replied coldly, "Got it. You're probably tired as well. Go to sleep."

I didn't spare him another glance and lay down with my back to him. He mumbled, "I love you, Elena. I truly love you. Never leave me, alright? Without you, I'll die."

Tears trickled down my cheeks and stained my pillowcase. I really wanted to ask him why he'd betray me if he loved me.

At this point, there was no need to see each other again, Luca.

The next day, when I went downstairs for breakfast, I heard Luca and Sofia whispering to each other.

"Mama was unhappy when she came home last night. It was probably because Ms. Celia had been present. You've got to be nice today and cheer Mama up, alright?"

I paid them no attention. As we were about to finish breakfast, Luca said he wanted to bring Sofia and me to a gala.

Luca tested the waters. His eyes glittered with anticipation as he said, "Could you come with Sofia and me?"

Sofia stood to the side without expressing her impatience, which was a rare sight. She stared at me with doggy eyes.

Before I could reply, Sofia tottered over and took my hand. "Let's go, let's go!"

She pushed me into my walk-in cupboard and asked our helpers to help me change into formal wear.

Luca followed us. Shooing Sofia out, he began looking for his own suit. As he rummaged through the drawers, a pink furry handcuff fell out of the pockets of one of his suit pants.

Everything seemed to have frozen for a moment. Luca's expression changed. He immediately kneeled down to shove it back into the pocket.

Before he turned to me, I had already looked away. He thought I saw nothing. I didn't demand an explanation, because it no longer mattered to me.

On the way to the gala, Luca tried to touch me, but I evaded all his caresses. I harbored nothing but disgust for him.

At the gala, servers flitted through the crowd offering beautiful desserts. Whenever I took a second glance at any of them, Luca would immediately lean over and use a silver fork to carefully pick out the small pieces of parsley before bringing it to my lips with practiced ease, his gaze so tender it could melt ice.

"Mama, open your mouth," mimicked Sofia.

I ate it, praising it for being sweet.

Sofia clapped her hands excitedly. "Dad told me that sweet things are the way to go. Our family will always be as sweet as this dessert!"

Watching Sofia and Luca back each other up dredged up a hint of bitterness in my heart. Luca, Sofia, did you guys really think I was completely oblivious?

"Really?"

Sofia nodded naively.

Looking up at Luca, I asked, "Have you never told me a single lie in our marriage?"

Luca's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered and took my hand. "Why would I lie to you? My heart, my everything, has always belonged solely to you, Elena."

Sofia immediately started swinging my hand around, mumbling pitifully, "How could you not trust Papa? You don't even trust us?"

I was about to say something when Luca's phone rang. He turned serious when he saw who was calling. Getting up swiftly, he walked to the side and took the call.

Luca didn't want to let me know who was calling, but I'd seen who it was when Luca turned around. It was Celia.

I watched as his expression changed from surprise to nervousness, before solidifying into anxiety.

After hanging up, he strode over and said, "My apologies, Elena. I've got an urgent matter I need to attend to."

"I want to come with you, Papa," Sofia immediately said when he gave her a meaningful glance.

"I'll send a driver over to pick you up, Elena. I'm really sorry about tonight."

Then, he took Sofia's hand and left in a hurry, leaving me to withstand the intrigued glances of the crowd. They were whispering among themselves, the noise washing over me like a tide.

I wiped my mouth and stood up from my wheelchair to the surprise of everyone watching. Ignoring them, I left the gala immediately. I abandoned my wheelchair in the hall because I no longer needed it.

Since the four of them were a family, I'd back out and let them live their happy lives together.

They didn't come home for the next few days, and I didn't ask about their absence. However, Celia's social media was abuzz with envy, congratulations, and well-wishes.

I didn't pay much attention to it, as I was busy cleaning up any trace of my existence in the house.

Luca had sent me a hesitant message saying that he had some Costa Famigila matters to handle and wouldn't be coming home for a few days. I knew what he was doing, but I could pretend like I was oblivious for the sake of my departure.

"No worries. That's always the top priority. Take care of yourselves."

My response had apparently surprised him. After I texted him, he called right away and said I was acting weird, asking if anything was wrong.

I answered his questions calmly before hanging up.

On the first day, Celia posted about Luca and Sofia building her a sandcastle, inscribed with the words, "We all love Celia."

I dumped all of my pictures with them into the fireplace and set them alight, burning them to ashes.

On the second day, Celia posted about gaming with Luca and Sofia. I hired workers to wreck Sofia's princess-themed room.

On the last day, Celia posted a family photo of her, Luca, Sofia, and her unborn son. I sold all the jewelry Luca gifted me and transferred most of our family's wealth into my account in Sicily.

In the end, while I was waiting for my flight at the airport, Luca burst into the lounge with a horde of men behind him.

"Elena!"

His face was pale as his chest heaved, a crumpled document in his fist.

Luca choked out, "Your legs … When could you … You're able to stand up now?"

He stumbled forward, raising the document.

"And this! You're going back to Bellavia? What are you doing? Are you leaving me?"