Dumped at Noon, Settled by Night

Everyone in the Rossi family knows that their Don, Giovanni Rossi, loves me, Rebecca Costa, more than anyone else.

Ever since we got together, he has stopped attending any social events that involve other women. We promised to marry once he returns from negotiating a dangerous arms deal in Aelfana.

He was supposed to come back a week before the wedding, but instead, he returned on the eve of the wedding with Rosa Bianchi, his stepsister, in his arms.

Rosa was unconscious, and traces of intimacy were visible on her skin.

Giovanni kneeled before me, his expression remorseful. "Rebecca… I was drugged. I never meant to betray you. When Rosa threw herself at me, I thought she was you."

And I believed him.

At least, I did until I overheard a conversation in the changing room backstage at our wedding.

One of his men asks, in disbelief, "Did you really mistake her for Rebecca?"

"I did for the first night. But for the rest of the week… well, a man ought to have his bit of freedom before getting married."

My fingers clench around my phone.

In my inbox sits an unopened message—a marriage invitation from Angelo Calavaro, the most enigmatic Don in southern Ilya's underworld.

I know what I have to do.

Everyone knew that Giovanni Rossi, the Don of the Rossi family, loved me the most. Before he left for Aelfana on a dangerous arms deal, we promised to get married once he came back.

He was supposed to return a week before the wedding. Instead, he returned the night before the ceremony—carrying his stepsister, Rosa Bianchi, in his arms. He had kneeled in front of me and begged for forgiveness.

I forgave him, but my wedding day brought an even bigger betrayal.

I stood backstage for a while before finally walking back to the main hall.

Giovanni saw me and immediately beamed. However, I saw a flicker of worry in his eyes.

"Where did you disappear to?" he asked, reaching for my waist and leaning in to kiss me.

I turned my head to the side.

His hand hung in the air for a moment before catching my wrist. "You're still mad about Rosa, aren't you? That night was complicated. I swear it was just that one time."

I stared at him silently.

The man I once believed in had been replaced by the man I had overheard joking in the dressing room about how a groom deserved to indulge himself before the wedding.

It was sickening.

"Call off the wedding," I said.

Giovanni's expression shifted. "No! Rebecca, after everything I've done for you? I even replaced my female secretary with a man after we got together, just to respect you! Without Rosa's help with the poison, I'd be dead. Would you rather have watched me die?"

As I looked into his saddened gaze, I felt how absurd the situation was.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Giovanni grabbed my arm.

"Don't do this. We've waited too long for today. At least see the ceremony through."

Then, his phone buzzed.

The man who had just been so insistent on the importance of the wedding glanced at the screen. His eyes softened to the way they used to when he looked at me.

"Give me half an hour," he said, letting go of me and fumbling for an excuse. "There's something urgent at the docks… I'll be back soon and we'll finish the ceremony!"

He left in a rush after that.

The priest, who was still holding the Bible, hesitated. I waved my hand, signaling to end the ceremony.

I ignored the guests' murmurs and stepped out onto the terrace, letting the night wind dry the few tears clinging to my lashes.

I stood there for an unknown amount of time before pulling out my phone and opening the marriage proposal from Angelo Calavaro that had been sitting in my inbox.

Should I accept? I had never even met him. Who could guarantee that he wouldn't turn out to be another Giovanni?

A chime broke my thoughts. It was a message from Rosa.

I hesitated before opening it.

A rush of ragged moans spilled from my earbuds.

"Gio, are you going to stop loving me once you marry Rebecca? I'm so afraid."

Giovanni murmured, "Calm down. Don't think about it. Isn't it enough that I'm yours right now?"

Then came the unbearable sounds of flesh colliding and moans.

I felt the blood rush to my face.

I opened my inbox again without hesitation.

"I accept."

A reply came almost instantly. "Thank you for your consent. Don Calavaro will return within the week to escort you himself."