It's absolute torture to look at that man's closed-off face for an entire hour. But thankfully Ezio and I completed our assignments and submitted them this morning.

Ezio and I are studying the same major. Law—I don't know why I chose this particular field. Ezio picked this, so I blindly followed him without question. 

It's useful for him because he's working actively in our mafia operations, unlike me.

I'm thinking about returning to Venice once I complete this degree and enrolling in another actual degree for something worth adding behind my name.

I mostly sleep during Adrian's class, because there's something about him that always irritates me. That he thinks he holds the power over us.

I could kill him within a blink of a second and tell my father that it was just an accident. No one would ask any questions.

My uncle Salvatore, Leo's father, is one of the nine board members—he represents our family here. We're among the founding families of this University and countless other companies that hold history.

No one knows that we're mafia, except the founding families. Our mafia has one ironclad rule, stay invisible and accumulate power. Because making ourselves visible to the world makes us weak and vulnerable.

Because the government will do anything to capture the largest drug trafficking mafia in New York, likely targeting a woman of the family—me and my siblings and cousins, for example.

For us, family is everything. If they ever try to touch the family members, then the consequences will be brutal and merciless. If they touch the women in the family, it means they disgrace the mafia. That'll create a war.

So, we're a corporate family for outsiders. We've been rich beyond measure since my great-great grandfather's time, so, of course we have the privilege to do anything in this university.

Being born in an old money family has its own power, and I don't know how to explain this to others who think about love and kindness.

Love doesn’t pay the bills.

"That man pissed the hell out of me." Ezio stabs the steak on his plate with more pressure than necessary, his fork screeching against porcelain.

"Who?" Leo asks, his face blank as usual.

"Our Professor Adrian Hayes." Ezio replies, rolling his eyes like a dramatic teenager.

Me, Tony and Gia were playing uno a while ago, sitting lazily in the gazebo. Then Leo joined us, doing nothing but stare intently at the cards in my hand. Often he helped me to use the perfect card.

Then Ezio decides to show up with a plate of food. Idiot came straight out of the kitchen. Because he feels like complaining about our professor while feeding his growling stomach.

"Maybe you should have just put your phone down or, I don't know, kept your voice down during the lecture. Or you should have just slept like me." I snatch the fork from his hand with a piece of steak speared on it, take a bite before returning it to him. "Skill issue, darling. Don't blame the man for doing his job."

Ezio turns to me, mock pain etched dramatically on his face. "The betrayal! Why are you taking his side, C? You backed me up in the class!"

I shrug dismissively. "I can't sell my brother out in public." I lean more comfortably on Leo's shoulder.

He opens his arm and pulls me back against him more. He's a human cushion, he never minds even if I use him like a punching bag.

"Excuse me," Tony interrupts, releasing a long, exasperated sigh. "Is anyone going to ask what the hell happened to me? I have a story."

Silence follows. Everyone keeps chatting like he didn't even speak. Leo pulls another card from my hand and places it on the table.

Tony slams the table lightly. "You're all so fucking mean to me. Seriously."

Leo chuckles under his breath, clearly entertained. I see the dimples on his cheeks.

"You should show those off more often." I whisper and poke the dimple.

"Shut up," he murmurs quietly and twirls the engagement ring on my finger absently.

Gia rolls her eyes before throwing him a bone. "Fine. Tell us, Tony. Why do you look like someone who just crawled out of a basement?"

Tony straightens up, his messy hair adding to the dramatic effect. "Alright, so get this. I met this girl at a party this evening, okay? She was gorgeous. We hit it off. She's laughing at my jokes, touching my arm—you know, all the signs."

Ezio groans, already unimpressed. "If this story ends with you crying in a bar bathroom, just skip to the part where we laugh at you."

"Shut up, Ezio. I'm telling a story here!" Tony snaps, before flipping his hair like some dramatic soap opera lead. "Anyways. We went back to her place and everything was going great. And then…" He pauses for effect, looking around the table like he's about to drop a bombshell.

Gia sighs loudly. "Just spit it out!. Nobody here wants to hear about your tragic love life in slow motion."

Tony glares at her, but continues. "Her boyfriend shows up. Like, out of nowhere. This dude's massive. Looks like he could bench-press a car and he starts yelling at me in Russian. RUSSIAN!"

I can't help but burst out laughing. "You mean to tell me you almost got your ass kicked because you didn't bother to check if she was single?"

"Who the hell asks that at a party?" Tony defends himself, throwing his arms up in frustration. "She didn't look taken, okay? And the guy? He wasn't even mad at her. Just me. Like I'm supposed to psychic my way through her relationship status!"

Leo smirks, finally showing a hint of amusement. "So what happened? Did you fight or flight?"

Tony glares at him like he's offended by the mere suggestion. "I'm not suicidal, Leo. I ran like hell."

Gia cackles. "Oh my God, Tony. You're pathetic."

"Am I?" Tony retorts, sitting up straighter. "Or am I just a victim of fate? A tragic hero in the wrong place at the wrong time?"

Ezio snorts, shoving a piece of steak in his mouth. "You're not a tragic hero. You're just a cautionary tale."

Tony flips him off without missing a beat. "Whatever. At least I try to have a life outside this family. What about you, Ezio? What's the last exciting thing you did?"

Ezio raises an unimpressed eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize almost getting beaten to death by a Russian was the new definition of 'exciting.' My bad."

"Children," Leo interjects, his tone dry but amused. "Can we try to get through one day without a pissing contest? I'm starting to feel like I'm sitting with a pack of feral dogs."

Tony slumps back in his chair, muttering under his breath. "I hate all of you."

"Love you too, Tony," I reply sarcastically and wink at him.

"It's humiliating to call this idiot my brother." Leo mutters under his breath. I snort with laughter.

"What did he say?" Tony demands, eyes narrowing at me suspiciously.

Why me? I didn't say anything. I stay silent, letting Tony brew in his own confusion.

"Hey, I'm asking you." Tony throws some cards at me.

"Enough." Leo snaps.

That single word makes everyone go silent immediately. Leo may be a university student, but he's being groomed to take over the mafia one day. In this process, he has to marry me and establish a proper alliance with the Moretti family.

Leo's family is also ours, but I don't know exactly how. Our family tree is too sprawling and complex to know who is who.

He's always maintaining his composure, like no one else can. He never raises his voice at anyone, but will make anyone cave to his will. He's kind of terrifying too.

"What's going on here?" A warm but firm voice calls to us.

Everyone looks toward the gazebo entrance. Uncle Salvatore and Uncle Carlo stand there.

Leo shifts a few inches away from me, but doesn't answer them.

"Playing uno." I answer with a smile.

They both adore me like no one else. They know my problems. I was practically raised in their houses, when my mother was too busy hating me for god knows what reason.

My uncles and aunts raised me, fed me, bathed me, dressed me, bought me things, took me to schools and everywhere. Maybe that's why I'm so much closer to my cousins than to Gia.

"Having a lot of free time, I see." Uncle Carlo remarks and walks inside. "Can't even eat properly." He chides gently and hands Ezio a handkerchief, sitting beside him.

"I can eat very well, thank you so much, Dad. We were just throwing things at each other and something fell on my plate." Ezio gives Tony an accusing look.

Tony just rolls his eyes dismissively.

Uncle Salvatore sits beside me. "You seem busy these days, Bambina." He presses a tender kiss on my forehead.

"Some assignments and slept a lot. Not much actual living." I shrug my shoulders.

"Do you want me to talk to your professors for tiring my sweet girl out?" He teases me affectionately.

"As if." I roll my eyes and catch Gia's eyes fixated on Leo.

She's been in love with him ever since she turned thirteen. Everything started when Leo kissed her on her birthday—on her cheek as an affectionate gesture. But something inside her shifted and she started giving him heart eyes constantly.

And this idiot knew everything—we even talked about Gia's feelings. But he's acting like he doesn't know anything, because it's safer to keep her away from him.

Ever since me and Leo got engaged all of a sudden, Gia's been giving me resentful glares occasionally. What did I do? My father and uncles told me to extend my hand and I did. It's not like I had much of a choice.

Even she's going to marry someone in the future for an alliance one day. Why does she think I'm the problem here?

"Grandpa wants to meet you." Uncle Salvatore states to Leo.

Leo nods. "When?"

"Whenever you want to." He responds and discusses some business matters for too long before they walk away from us.

Only Leo and my uncles talk while everyone stays silent until they leave.

"I'm leaving for Italy tomorrow evening." Leo announces and gives me a kiss on my neck before releasing me and walking away.

"Why is he hovering? Someone please tell our elders to put him in a straightjacket." I mutter, trying to put all the cards in alignment.

"Don't tell me. He'll bite my head off." Ezio gives me a grin and finally puts his plate down.

Gia scoffs bitterly. "Of course, you'd act like this when you can have everything without breaking a sweat."

I go still at her words. "If you're talking about Leo, you should talk to him directly. Tell our father what you're thinking. I'm not interested in the engagement either, Gia." I'm so close to snapping at her, but grit my teeth to control myself.

"Oh, you've been engaged for a year, and now you want me to tell father that I like him? You're doing this on purpose, aren't you, Ciana? First you stole dad. Then Leo. And now everyone favors you and forgets me completely."

My patience snaps violently. "Have some guts to voice out what you're thinking. Don't be a fucking lap dog to that woman who gave birth to you. Of course, you'd act like her. So, what now? Gonna cry into her lap? Complain to her to talk to dad? Go on. I don't give a fuck. I'm tired of this shit."

Gia's eyes fill with tears about to fall down her cheeks. "You're so selfish."

"Thank you." I mutter and lean back on the cushion comfortably. "Not a new thing to hear."

"You should go, Gia." Tony says quietly.

"Why me? Why are you all favoring her? I'm your family too." Gia screeches and stands up abruptly.

"She's your family too, Gia. And what have you guys given to her until now? You're complaining about her stealing your father—what about your mother? Did she ever look her way? Did you talk about your sister to your mother? Maybe you should talk to your mother and ask yourself what your real problems are. I never thought I'd have to deal with jealousy issues." Ezio kicks the table in front of him.

Gia flinches and looks at him with anger and pure disbelief. Then she stomps away without another word.

"What the fuck did I ever do to that fucking woman other than being born from her womb?!" I shout in raw frustration.

Tony and Ezio sit there silently. Not even breathing loudly.

Gia is just two years younger than me. Since I can remember my earliest childhood, my mother never liked me. Not even once. She never looked in my direction with even a flicker of motherly love in her eyes.

I still don't know why. I cried desperately for her attention, I hurt myself deliberately to make her look in my direction, I begged her to feed me once like she always does to Gia.

She sang lullabies for Gia every single night without missing a day, meanwhile I stood in the dark hallway watching everything through the small gap of the door.

I yearn for whatever motherly love people talk about so easily. Everyone in my family knew about this neglect. That's why they always took me away from her, loved me in their own ways. 

Spoiled me with whatever I asked for.

All the ignorance toward me and the neglecting feeling and the crushing loneliness started to grow inside me, and that began to make me talk back to the woman who gave birth to me.

It slowly rooted in my brain, not in my heart because she killed it when she sent me to the boarding school dormitory when I was eleven. My grandpa went ballistic about that decision. 

They brought me back to the estate with my clothes torn up from all the bullying I encountered in the school dormitory.

Only after that did the resentment toward her flare into something violent.

I loathe her with every fiber of my being.

But she knew she could hurt me like no one else could. And she did that often and still does deliberately.

My father is the only supporter in my family. But he's also trapped between his marital and parental duties.

I even took DNA tests with both mother and father, thinking maybe he cheated on her and I'm some side chick's bastard child, that's why she hated me this much, or I’m just an orphan and they took me in to fill the place of the assassin. 

But no. I'm their legitimate child. So, she must have had something else against me, or I'm just an unwanted child she never wanted to bear.

Gia grew up watching her, absorbing her hatred. She may look like she's my younger sister, but she hates me. Just like that woman.

For her, she's being unseen by everyone. She doesn't fucking know what would happen if everyone actually noticed her, really saw her.

I took every hit and became the assassin for the mafia, I took all the missions, I trained like a fucking dog for years until my hands bled.

While she was sleeping peacefully in my mother's lap.

I took the decision, but still it hurts.

What if I marry Leo and stop doing everything?

I never saw a man with that much territorial tendencies and possessiveness like Leo possesses. He would never allow me to continue this whole assassin thing after I marry him.

What would happen after that?

I will watch my mother cry in the corner for her favorite child.

"Guess you should talk to your father about this, C." Ezio suggests and stands up.

"What can he do? Watch his wife cry and let her manipulate him? He's soft on her. He won't do anything against her." I scoff bitterly.

"I can accompany you for tonight if you feel lonely, Ciana." Tony grins at me mischievously.

"I'll chop your dick off, Tony, if you ever come near my bedroom. Go do your homework." I scold him, yet a small smile blooms on my lips despite everything.

"There it is. Keep that up and go talk to your father." Tony rises, standing beside Ezio.

"Yeah yeah. I'm too tired for more drama. Good night." I push myself from the couch and start to walk toward the manor.

My mind is a chaotic mess. All I want is to disappear from this life. I want to run away from here.

I should have stayed in Venice when my grandpa told me to. It's my fault that I ever decided to come here and join the university.

I step into the building and take the stairs to my parents' bedroom. I should talk to him about Gia and all these things that are happening around me.

I hear raised voices from their room, so I slow my steps.

"Why can't you do that, Enzo? Gia loves him. She's hurting. Your child is hurting, why can't you see that? You're always focusing on Ciana and ignoring Gia. Don't be like this, please." My mother's voice slips out of the room, the same manipulative voice she always uses to get whatever she wants from my father.

"Ciana is my child too, Lucy. She's been hurting for years too. I can't just ignore her. This engagement happened for our mafia. I can't cancel it just because you asked me to. Do you know how much of a disrespect that would be for us and Salvatore's family? Are you even aware of the consequences?"

"I'll talk to Salvatore. He'll understand, Enzo. Look at her. She's crying." My mother's voice rises a little while sniffling dramatically.

"You're always taking her side, dad. You don't like me at all."

Gia? She's in there too?

"Why didn't you tell me before their engagement?" My father asks her.

"How was I supposed to know they'd get engaged all of a sudden! And she's always throwing that in my face!" Gia shouts.

"Lower your voice, Gia." My father's voice drops dangerously. "No one should talk to me like that. Do you understand? And I can't do anything about this because this alliance happened because your grandpa decreed it so. If you have any words to say, then take it to him. He'll listen if he wants to. It's been a year and you're talking about this now? And I heard your voice from the outside and let me tell you something. Don't raise your voice. You weren't raised among wolves , right? Act like a woman. You are born in a Moretti family. In the Stirpe clan. Women are sacred here and keep that in your head. Don't act like I picked you up from some street. This is my final warning, Gia. If I ever see you acting out again, you'll have to face the consequences."

"Enzo, what are you—" My mother joins in, but my father's words cut her off sharply.

"For you too. Close your mouth and go to sleep."

Well, that's a pretty good scene. I should have been in there instead of standing in the hallway.

But still, I don't want to see those women's faces anymore.

I take a deep breath and turn my heels toward my room. I'll deal with them in the morning.

I got ready for classes and came to the breakfast table. Everyone's here except Ezio.

"Where's my darling?" I ask and take a seat beside Leo.

Tony raises his hand enthusiastically. "He's doing something I don't want to witness. I went to his room earlier. He's trying on every piece of clothing and standing in front of the mirror and grinning at himself like an clown. It's really gross."

"Seeing my son dressing up is making you grossed out, DeLuca?" Uncle Carlo teases him.

Tony raises a brow. "You should have seen that yourself. You'd run away too."

Uncle Carlo laughs heartily and pours some coffee into Aunt Camila's cup.

"Ten dollars, he'll look good." I mouth to Tony and he gives me a thumbs up.

"Salvatore, control your son's mouth." Aunt Camila tries to be firm, but her stifled laughter betrays her amusement.

"I will trust my son's judgment, thank you." Uncle Salvatore shrugs his shoulders and winks at Tony. Tony grins back at him proudly.

Tony and Ezio are close with their parents. Leo chose to be alone. He doesn't like to talk so much and being civil is allergic to him. But his actions always speak louder than words.

That's also the reason he's the chosen one.

"Since when did Ezio become your darling?" Leo leans closer and whispers to me.

I grin at him. "After you left us last night."

"What happened?"

"Gia happened."

He clicks his tongue and focuses on his food. The breakfast table is as chaotic as usual.

A few minutes later, Ezio saunters in with…an awful leather jacket. I really want to gag.

With a roll of my eyes, I take a ten dollar bill and throw it at Tony. He catches it with a triumphant grin on his face. The elders are watching the exchange silently.

"Who's that woman?" I ask him directly, unamused.

Ezio's grin widens enough to touch his ears. "You're the only one who'll understand me even without me saying anything."

"I just want to know who has this…disgusting taste. Did she tell you to wear this?"

Ezio nods and sits beside his father.

Uncle Carlo sizes up at Ezio for a few seconds. "Where's my son?"

"Dad!" he gives him an offended look.

 "No, seriously. What happened to my son? What's with the leather jacket, Ezio?" He touches the jacket Ezio wears. "Cheap. Did that woman give you this?"

I snort with laughter.

"Haha, very funny. Focus on your food, everyone." Ezio sulks and takes a cornetto for himself.

Gia and my mother sit beside my father, and haven't made a single sound since the moment they arrived here. Silent protest or something?

Not my problem.

"When are you going to Sicily?" I question Leo while taking a bite from the taco.

"After my classes." He responds and finishes his breakfast.

I take a deep breath and look at my father. "I want to live somewhere else, dad."

His movements pause as he hears me. Then as he cuts the frittata, he probes, "Where do you want to go, tesoro?"

"Umm…" I only thought about getting out of this place till this morning and forgot where I wanted to go. It's not like I can leave this city until I graduate, and my father won’t allow me to go anywhere because it's not safe outside the estate.

"You don't know?" He presses. "Did you hear something last night?" He doesn't even look at me.

"By accident, yes." I respond and lock eyes with my mother and Gia.

Gia avoids my gaze and my mother glares at me.

"Is that why you want to leave the house?" He continues.

"No. I can't concentrate on my studies in this kind of environment. Can you arrange something for me, Dad?"

Aunt Romina, Leo's mother, wraps her hand around my shoulder. "Come to my house and stay there. No one will disturb you." She gives me a kiss on my shoulder.

"Your son will be there." I lean close and whisper to her.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll tell my husband to restrain him." She leans back with a small laugh.

I chuckle, but I don't want to be in this estate anymore. I want to go somewhere where my mother and sister are not.

Then a sudden thought rises in my head. "Dad, how about Evermist?" I look at him with hope.

"No way." Aunt Camila protests. "I will not let you go to that forest, Stella."

"Aunty, I don't want to—" I cut myself off and sigh. "Please."

"Figlia mia, ascoltami, that's too dangerous." She gives Aunt Romina an eye to back her up.

"Fine." My father declares.

I blink at him in disbelief.

He continues. "Our guards will be there and you should not go out without them. If you're fine with this, you're okay to go."

"Lorenzo, you can't do that to my girl." Aunt Romina protests weakly.

"I'll go with her." Leo stands up, wiping his hand with a napkin.

"Excuse me! No boys allowed." I glare at him.

"I'm not a boy, I'm a man. And I'm not that low to let you stay in that haunting mansion alone. No way in hell. I'm coming with you."

"Not funny."

"I'm not joking." He captures my lips in front of everyone and strides away from me.

My father clears his throat.

"That was quite a show, Bambina." Uncle Salvatore snickers.

Aunt Romina just shakes her head, though her smile betrays her amusement.

"Count me in," Ezio chirps and Tony raises his hand. "Me too."

I scoff. "What is wrong with you people? I'm not going there for a picnic."

"I'm not an idiot to let you go alone with that 'man' who just kissed you. You might come back with a baby, C. I can't afford that. As a cousin, it's my job to protect you even from your fiancé." He grins.

"And it's boring here." Tony adds and leans on Uncle Carlo.

It's going to be a fucking disaster.