His Merit, Her New Beginning

Gabriel Falcone looked at me, stunned.

“Are those the same pretty lies you fed that little girl?”

“Gabriel, if pretty words could solve every problem, the Moretti family wouldn't be where it is today.”

I rose and walked toward the family dining hall.

The Soldato behind me hurried to catch up.

“Principessa, your things.”

I took my bag and saw he was still holding the medal.

“It’s valuable. It’s yours now.”

“Thank you, Principessa.” The young Soldato happily put it on.

In the grand dining hall, several Capos welcomed me with smiles.

I had just sat down when Arabella Salvatore took my hand.

“Stella, I've heard you and Gabriel are close. That means you'll still listen to him, right? After we're married next month, you should visit more often, just like old times.”

She smiled sweetly, but her eyes held a challenge.

“Stella, let's exchange numbers.”

She took out her phone. The screen saver was an intimate photo of her and Gabriel.

She suddenly tapped her forehead.

“Oh, silly me. I'm using Gabriel's old phone. None of the contacts have names, Stella. Which one is you?”

She looked at me with a cheerful smile.

The Capos across the table had already sensed something was wrong.

I glanced at it. It was indeed Gabriel’s old phone.

Since she was so eager to know, I didn't mind telling her.

“How could there be no label? The one saved as ‘Baby’ is me.”

Arabella didn't expect me to admit it so shamelessly.

Her smile faltered.

“You two must be so close. Is it this one?”

She held up the phone, pretending to show me, but really showing everyone.

On it were the countless messages I had sent to Gabriel.

Asking about his situation, and all those explicit words about how much I missed him.

“My phone broke, so I'm using Gabriel's. He probably never saw any of this, Stella. Should I... forward it to him for you?”

Just then, Gabriel walked in.

I shot a look at the Soldato behind me. “Take it. Show Gabriel Falcone.”

“Yes, Principessa.”

He snatched the phone from Arabella and handed it to the approaching Gabriel.

Gabriel showed no reaction to the chat history, but when he saw the medal around the Soldato’s neck, his gaze instantly froze.

“Where did you get that?” His voice was hoarse.

“The Principessa told me to show it to you,” the Soldato answered, gesturing to the phone.

“I’m asking about the medal around your neck. Where did you get it?”

“The Principessa gave it to me.”

I couldn’t read Gabriel’s eyes. There was madness in them, and destruction.

He pulled out a chair and sat right next to me.

“Sitting here, I’m afraid you’ll have a hard time explaining it to your fiancée.”

“If I didn’t sit here, I’d have a hard time explaining it to you, wouldn’t I?”

He stayed by my side until the family dinner began, constantly serving me food with a suffocating intimacy.

As dinner was ending, he suddenly said,

“Why give away something you love?”

I cut my steak and asked calmly, “Are we talking about the man or the medal?”

For once, he was silent.

I could feel Arabella’s emotions, could sense her knuckles turning white as she clenched her fists.

But I didn't care.

“Still so headstrong after three years. It's time a man taught you your place,” he murmured, his tone thick with meaning.

“I’m finished. Please, enjoy your meal.”

I wiped my lips, grabbed my bag, and rose from the table.

He thought I was upset.

The truth was, it wasn't necessary.

There was a very good chance I would be married before him.

“Principessa, gentlemen, the Don requests everyone to move to the front hall after dinner.”

I turned and walked to the front hall.

The vast front hall was already filled with all sorts of luxurious chests, dozens of them, tied with red silk ribbons.

My father sat in the main seat, a list in his hand, checking off the betrothal gifts one by one.

“Are these… my betrothal gifts?” Arabella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “There's so much!”

Gabriel gently lowered his head and stroked her hair.

Several Capos were also asking about the details of their wedding.

“Is the wedding dress settled?”

“We’re going to pick it out tomorrow.”

“Alright, when you get back, go to my winery and pick out the wedding wine. A gift from me.”

“Thank you, Rico.”

They chatted back and forth, and listening to them, I almost thought these gifts really were prepared by my father for Gabriel.

Until the butler came running over with a smile.

“Don Moretti, Principessa, Mr. Julian Costello has arrived.”