You Replaced Me, so I Got an Upgrade

I held the keys and the access card to the family archives and headed to the Rossi family headquarters.

In no mood for dressing up, I simply wore a white dress.

When I pushed open the door, the usual greetings were gone. Those who once called me "Donna" now fell silent, as if by unspoken agreement.

But whispers still reached my ears.

"She still suits Don Rossi best. Ten years, and she's been the only one by his side…"

"Hah! You don't get it. You need a crutch only when you have a broken leg. First thing you do when it heals? You throw it away. Seeing it reminds you of when you couldn't stand!"

I forced a small, bitter smile.

Ten years with Giovanni, and no one had ever dared speak to me like that.

A business partner had dared to touch my hand once. The very next day, Giovanni had his fingers cut off.

If I frowned, he would drop every meeting just to calm me.

All the privileges that came with being favored had now turned into jokes.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed. A shot ripped through the air, grazing the scalp of the one who'd used the crutch metaphor.

Giovanni's expression darkened as he lowered the gun.

"What's going on?" he asked coldly. "I'm gone for a moment, and this place turns into a gossip market? Anyone who didn't know might think Serena Bianchi is your Donna!"

The council room went dead silent.

This was Giovanni's power. But now, that power was pointed at me.

I opened my mouth to bring up leaving, but Lisa poked her head from behind Giovanni and timidly asked, "Giovanni, is this Serena you were talking about?"

She sized me up with feigned innocence, then gasped and covered her mouth. "Oddio! Serena's outfit today… Is she trying to copy me?"

Same white dress and bare face. Her eyes—especially—carried a 60% resemblance to mine when I was 19 years old.

A flicker of doubt crossed Giovanni's eyes as he looked at me. "Serena, did you run a background check on Lisa?"

I was so disappointed in him that I didn't want to talk to him.

When I stayed silent, his doubtful gaze shifted into a mocking sneer. "No matter how much you copy, you're not 19 anymore. If you're leaving, just leave. What's the point of playing these little tricks with me?"

What did he just say?

"Actually, it's fine you're here. Saves me the trouble of looking for you." He pulled out a checkbook, tore a blank check, and tossed it my way.

"Name your price for your ten years of youth."

As I stared at the blank check and his arrogant expression, my mind went utterly blank.

"Giovanni," I called out in a trembling voice. "Say that again."

He put his hands in his pockets and replied, "I said, I'm buying out your last ten years. Plus a little hush money."

Lisa grabbed his sleeve. "Don't do that. You're treating her like some mistress you're just brushing off. Serena has dignity, too."

Giovanni gently pinched her cheek. "I have to take care of this now. That way, no one will whisper behind your back, and you won't get hurt."

Such familiar words. He used to protect me like this.

My stomach churned.

I lowered my gaze to the silver ring on my finger. When I first put it on, it fit perfectly. But over the years, as Giovanni's power grew, his heart drifted farther away.

The ring had dulled along with whatever tiny thread of us remained.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, only calm remained in my expression.

Under Giovanni's casual gaze, I tore the check to shreds. "Giovanni Rossi, you can't afford my ten years of youth, and I don't need you to pay for it."

I lifted my left hand and yanked the ring off with force.

His expression changed instantly.