For a time, I was even grateful to have escaped the toxic vortex of my family’s drama.

At first, he was on my side, loathing Kayla and her mother as much as I did.

But everything changed when Kayla turned eighteen and got into my university.

Dominic stopped keeping tabs on Kayla, and his tone when speaking of her gradually softened.

"That girl's a bit like you, just as stubborn. I heard she knocked over some rich kid's lunch and still insisted he be the one to apologize."

"Karina, maybe there was a misunderstanding all those years ago. Kayla seems like a good person. You two should try to get along from now on. You're family, after all. There's no need for things to be so ugly."

I had only complained to my roommate about Kayla's mother being a homewrecker.

The very next day, a video of my mother being harassed at her diner job went viral on campus.

But I never suspected him.

Eight years went by. We got engaged, and all that was left was to be married.

I thought I was special to him. I thought the love we shared since childhood could overcome anything.

But now, the boy who'd protected and cherished me was gone, a ghost in my memories.

And this wedding… there was no point in having it anymore.

I was just about to pack my bags when a call came from the Chicago Police Department.

“Ms. Martinez, the case regarding your mother has been dropped. Please find time to come and claim her body.”

I froze instantly.

By the time I reached the police station, the files on my mother's case had been sealed and destroyed.

All my strength gave out, and I collapsed to my knees before them, desperately bowing my head to the ground.

“Please, I'm begging you, don't drop the case! My mother was murdered! The truth hasn't been uncovered yet, you can't give up!”

My hand, clutching at the detective's pant leg, trembled. A sharp pain shot through the old injury on my arm, so intense it felt like the bone would break all over again.

The man’s tone was resigned as he helped me to my feet.

“Ms. Martinez, there's nothing we can do. It was your fiancé who requested the case be dropped. We have to respect the family's wishes.”

“Mr. Romano has put the word out—anyone who touches this case won't last long in Chicago. We all have families to feed. We really can't help you…”

With that, the man turned and left. My fingernails cracked, seeping blood.

But I couldn't even feel the pain.

Just then, a message from Dominic came through.

“You got the call? I’ve already contacted the funeral home. Just take Diane straight there. The Romano family will cover the costs.”

"I've said what I needed to say. Don't test my limits."

My phone hit the ground, tears blurring the screen.

Before I could reply, his patience ran out, and he called again, demanding an answer.

"Didn't you see my message? Also, the settlement agreement is in the study. I'm in the penthouse suite at the Four Seasons Hotel. Come over. I'll have Kayla sign it."

I was on the verge of collapsing, no longer able to contain my fury.

"And if I don't sign? Are you going to ruin my life?"

He brutally disconnected the call, and a moment later, an email popped up on my phone.

It was my mother's employment contract with Elysium Gallery.

One of the clauses was bolded and highlighted in red.

"During the execution of overseas projects, the employee voluntarily assumes all risks, and all rights of interpretation belong to the company."

The threat was unmistakable.

He left me no choice.

The Romano family's power was deeply entrenched in Chicago; I stood no chance against them.

Leaving was my only chance.

In the end, I took the settlement agreement and went to the hotel.

Just as I reached the entrance, I saw Kayla getting out of a car.

She wore a Valentino couture gown, looking every bit the true Principessa.

The moment she saw me, the corner of her lips curved into a smile.

"My dear sister? What are you doing here? What a coincidence."

"By the way," she added, her voice dripping with fake sympathy, "have you made arrangements for Auntie Diane's funeral? We're all family. If you need anything, just let me know."

I fought back the urge to strangle her, demanding furiously,

"Before the contract was signed, you already knew that woman was my mother. That's why you assigned her to the most dangerous project in Mexico, isn't it?"

Kayla smiled coquettishly and shook her head, the picture of innocence.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand a thing. Client information is confidential. If I'd known your mother needed money, I would have wired it to her myself, of course."

"But then again, she probably wouldn't have taken my money, would she? After all, you two... you're both so full of pride."

My nails dug viciously into my palms, the sharp pain nearly making me black out.

Kayla clicked forward in her high heels, her voice dropping to a soft whisper.

"No, that's not right. When it comes to pride, you have more of it. The last time I saw your mother, she was at a board meeting, begging for project funding. I 'accidentally' broke a few antique vases and pinned the blame on her. When those old geezers on the board threatened to terminate the contract, she was on her knees, begging me."

"You would have been shocked to see that side of her. I told her to lick the champagne off my shoes, and she did it. Without a single word."

But my mother… she never told me a single word about any of this.

Rage burned through my sanity, and the tightly wound string in my mind suddenly snapped.

I couldn't hold back any longer. I lunged forward, tearing at her hair and slapping her viciously across the face.

Kayla lost her balance and fell to the ground, the Cartier diamond necklace around her neck snapping on impact and scattering diamonds all over the floor. Her gaze shifted to a point behind me, and tears suddenly flooded her eyes.

“Karina, why did you hit me?”

“I’ve already apologized. I said I’ll pay for everything, isn’t that enough?”

“Please, Karina… Papa has missed you so much for the past eight years. Just come home and see him…”

The next second, a powerful force slammed into me from behind.

I crashed uncontrollably into the marble wall, blood instantly blooming on my forehead.

Dominic’s icy voice cut through the air from behind me.

“Karina Martinez, are you out of your goddamn mind?”

“Apologize to Kayla!”

Kayla tugged at his sleeve, her voice trembling with grievance.

“Let it go, Dominic. I don’t blame her. After all, it was my company’s mistake. I understand why she hit me.”

Dominic’s expression grew even colder.

“Her mother was the one who didn’t read the contract carefully. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Wanting to earn money but demanding absolute safety? She can’t have it both ways!”

“Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile.”

"Karina, did you come here to blackmail Kayla's company? I've already given you the money!"

I clutched the wound on my forehead, looking up in disbelief.

"Blackmail? Is that what you think of me? That I'd sell my mother's life for cash?"

"If that's the case, then why are you marrying me?"

He was taken aback by my question, a strange look in his eyes.

"I trust what I see, and I just saw you attack her."

"Apologize, Karina. This is your last chance."

The tenderness in his eyes was gone, replaced now only by indifference.

A desolate feeling washed over my heart, and I suddenly felt an urge to laugh.

"And what if I say... no?"

"A murderer... the daughter of a mistress... you think you're worthy?"

"I give you a way out and you throw it back in my face. You really don't know what's good for you!" Kayla hadn't even opened her mouth before Dominic spoke first.

He picked up a glass of whiskey from the table, his eyes vicious. He motioned to a nearby soldato. "Get her on her knees. Make her drink every last drop."

"If you want to be the lady of the Romano family, you're far too disobedient. It's time someone broke that rebellious spirit of yours!"

My knees refused to buckle. A soldato kicked me right in the old injury at my waist.

The old wound flared up instantly from the blow.

But still, I refused to bow my head.

"Dominic, how about we just let it go? Karina didn't mean to curse at me."

"Don't you speak up for her!"

"Continue! Do I have to teach you how to do it?"