Sweet Lies, Deadly Love

Luciano and Sofia's wedding was next week.

I stared at the photo Sofia had sent me. The faint scar on Luciano's jaw was a stark reminder that this was real.

Years ago, when I was 20, I used to work part-time at a bar. Unfortunately, I just so happened to be working the day a gunfight broke out between the Carlotta family and an enemy family. Despite being innocent, I was caught in the crossfire.

Luciano, the Don's son, had clearly already escaped, yet when a bullet was fired in my direction, he spun around and tackled me. The bullet grazed his jaw as we crashed to the ground, and that was it. It was love at first sight.

Nonetheless, despite dating for three years, I was still unable to become his lawfully wedded wife.

Back then, he would always sigh while comforting me, "Amore, even now, I still can't let others know of your existence, nor can I publicly announce our relationship. Three years. Please wait for me for another three years. Once I become the Don, I'll throw you a grand wedding."

I could only nod silently.

Seeing that, he would pull me into his arms with a heartbroken look on his face.

"Rosanna, I know this isn't fair to you. However, my family keeps pushing for me to marry a Donna whose status equals mine, and I still don't have enough power to go against them. If they were to find out about you, you would disappear from this world the very next day.

"I just can't bear the thought of losing you, so please understand and give me three more years. Or maybe, we could have a baby. That way, no matter if I become the Don or not in the future, you and I will still always be tied together."

Taking in his earnest expression, I had believed him then.

The day I went into labor, I hemorrhaged terribly due to a difficult birth. Even after the surgery was over, he failed to show up.

Three days later, he finally appeared. Grasping my pallid hand with an expression of heartache, he had explained, "Rosanna, I know that you've suffered, but if someone were to photograph me appearing in the hospital, not only you, but even Mario, our son, would be exposed.

"Mario will definitely be the Carlotta family's heir. However, until I marry you, I can't let him bear the stigma of being an illegitimate bastard. One day, we'll be able to live together as a family, openly and properly."

It wasn't until I received Sofia's news tonight that I was forced to face reality—Luciano had chosen someone else.

After ending the call with Sofia, I remained in the living room, sitting there in the dark for a very long time.

Eventually, Luciano returned and spotted my puffy and red eyes.

"Amore, what happened? Come now, tell me! I can help you handle whatever it is!"

Taking in the panicked and worried expression on his face, I couldn't help but look him straight in the eyes.

"Luciano, it's been six years already. Are we really going to marry?"

"O-Of course!"

Despite his words, the way his eyes darted away shiftily was all the answer I needed.

"Amore, didn't we already agree on this a long time ago? Why would you suddenly ask me that question? Has something happened?"

He nervously searched my face, trying to figure out the reason for my question.

I lowered my gaze and, forcing the bitter laugh that welled in my throat down, answered softly, "I'm just… feeling a little down. Perhaps it's loneliness from not seeing Mario in so long."

Upon hearing this, Luciano breathed a sigh of relief before pressing an adoring kiss to my forehead. "It's all my fault. I've been so busy lately that I've neglected you. How about I take you overseas for a holiday in a few days? If you miss our son so much, we can bring him too."

Then, as though he had remembered something, he hastily added, "But the vacation will have to wait till after next week. I have an arms deal to negotiate and will have to leave for a few days. Once I return, I'll spend time with you and Mario."

I was well aware that the "arms deal" he spoke of was none other than the wedding I had been dreaming of for years.

Nevertheless, I responded in my usual manner, smiling as I said, "Okay, I'll be waiting."

Once the relieved Luciano had turned to head into the bathroom, I took out my phone and booked a flight for the day of their wedding.

I had barely completed my booking when a pair of arms suddenly snaked around me from behind, pulling me back into a damp and warm embrace.

Luciano pressed his bare chest into me as he murmured seductively, "Hmm? Are you booking plane tickets? To where?"