I was delivering design blueprints to my husband, Giovanni, the Don of the Grimaldi family, when I ran into my ex from two years ago at his family's headquarters—the same man who’d abandoned me at the altar to "protect his sister."

I had changed my hairstyle, my makeup, my entire persona.

But he recognized me in the crowd with ease.

"Alessia. I'm back for you. Happy to see me?"

I felt a familiar, unwelcome churning in my stomach.

"I'm sorry, but who are you…?"

He let out a shaky laugh.

"Baby, don't be like that. Don't be angry. I didn't mean to leave you waiting at the church. Gracie was targeted by a rival family. I had to get her out of there, to keep her safe. She's my only sister; I couldn't just stand by and watch something happen to her."

"Things got… complicated. I had to lay low at an overseas branch for a while."

"But as soon as she was safe, I rushed back to bring you home!"

It was only then that I realized. This disheveled man… was my ex-fiancé, Jeremy.

No.

Had no one told him? That on the very night he left me at the altar, I married his uncle: Don Giovanni Grimaldi, head of the Grimaldi family.

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1

I strode into the lobby of Grimaldi Holdings, a blueprint tube tucked under my arm.

As usual, the receptionists greeted me with respectful smiles.

I nodded and headed straight for the private elevator.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind me.

"Alessia?"

I turned to see Jeremy standing just past the revolving door, his adopted sister, Gracie Rossi, by his side.

Two years had clearly taken their toll on him.

He was so worn and disheveled I almost didn't recognize him.

"Here to pick me up?" Jeremy strode over, a smug smile playing on his lips. "I just got back from my overseas assignment. How did you know I'd arrive so soon?"

I glanced at the blueprint tube in my hand and tried to remain composed. "Excuse me, I have an appointment."

Jeremy misunderstood. He looked down at the blueprint tube and chuckled. "You knew I love architecture. Are you bringing me new blueprints?"

"I knew you'd still be waiting for me," he said, his voice brimming with unshakeable confidence.

Beside him, Gracie let out a soft cough.

Jeremy immediately wrapped an arm around her, his voice thick with concern. "Are you alright? Feeling sick again?"

After comforting her for a moment, Jeremy caught up to me again. "Don't get the wrong idea. She's frail and needs looking after. You know her parents died protecting me, gunned down in a shootout with a rival family. With them gone, I'm all she has. I have to be responsible for her."

"Right," I said, my tone dismissive as I turned back toward the elevator.

"Wait." Jeremy quickly blocked my path.

"Stop pretending, Alessia. If you came to get me, let's go. I know I hurt you by leaving you at the wedding. But we were both immature back then. I'm back now. We can start over."

I was speechless.

I tilted my head, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and revealing the skin of my collarbone.

"I'm already married."

There, just below my collarbone, was the Grimaldi fleur-de-lis, its ink a dark, gleaming promise. A mark reserved only for the family's Donna.

"In fact, I should thank you for abandoning me. Otherwise, I would never have met the man I was destined to marry."

Jeremy froze. A few seconds later, he burst out laughing. "A sticker?" He leaned in, trying to get a better look. "Alessia, that's so childish. Do you really expect me to believe this?"

"Believe what you want." I pressed the elevator button.

"Impossible!" Jeremy's voice hardened. "Alessia, everyone in New York knows we were supposed to get married! Everyone thinks of you as my future wife. Who would dare touch you?"

So he knew. He knew the wedding was a declaration to the world that I was his. And yet, he had still left me without a second thought. Did he think that simply by claiming me, I would be left with no other choice?

I shook my head and ignored him. We’ll see if he’s still laughing when he finds out I'm the Donna of the Grimaldi family.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside. Jeremy tried to follow, but a security guard stopped him. "Sir, you do not have clearance for the top floor."

"What?" Jeremy frowned. "I'm Giovanni Grimaldi's nephew!"

"I'm sorry, sir. Rules are rules."

Just before the doors slid shut, I saw the fury on Jeremy's face.

A scene from two years ago flashed through my mind. In St. Patrick's Cathedral, everyone was waiting to witness our wedding. But at the crucial moment, his adopted sister received a threatening message and collapsed.

Jeremy had hesitated for a second, then turned to me. "Gracie's condition can't wait. I need to get her out of here now. Don't worry, we'll postpone the wedding. I'll be back."

With that, he had swept up his adopted sister and boarded a private jet without a backward glance. The church erupted in whispers. Some people were even snickering.

I stood there in shock, feeling like a complete fool.

Then Giovanni appeared. He was Jeremy's uncle, the Don of the entire Grimaldi family. In that moment, he stood before me like a god and gave me a gentleman's bow. "My dear lady, are you in need of a new husband?"

I met his deep-set eyes and placed my hand in his. "Yes," I said.

The next second, Giovanni gently pulled me into his arms, lowered his head, and captured my lips in a kiss that was a declaration to everyone watching. When he kissed me, I felt the sheer force of his will, a current of power that sent a shiver down my spine.

The elevator arrived at the top floor.

I walked into Giovanni's office. His secretary informed me that his meeting would be delayed for at least another hour.

My phone buzzed.

My Husband:

Sorry, baby. The Valentis are a real pain, always posturing and wasting time. Don't wait up for me tonight. I'll make it up to you later.

He even added a heart emoji at the end. I couldn't help but smile.

"Alessia?"

I turned to find Jeremy had somehow followed me up. He must have used his family name to pressure the security guards downstairs and force his way up. He stood at the office door, staring at my phone screen with a playful smirk. "'My Husband'?" He crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "A delayed meeting? Really? You're laying it on a little thick."

"Alessia, stop playing games," Jeremy said, taking a step closer. "You know I hate being played."

"Still so stubborn after two years," he said, his tone condescending.

"Come on, let me see your 'fake tattoo.' It's quite realistic, I'll admit." He reached out, his hand aiming for the fabric near my chest.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and instinctively recoiled.

"I've already told you, I'm married. Try that again, and you'll be lucky to leave with both legs intact."

My training as the Donna had honed my reflexes. Dodging his touch was child's play.

Jeremy's hand met empty air, and his brow furrowed deeper.

Then, his gaze fell on the necklace around my neck.

"I knew it." Jeremy's voice instantly softened.

"Alessia, you say you don't care, but you're still wearing the gift I gave you."

I almost laughed out loud.

His gift? The flawed imitation sapphire he'd given me was full of imperfections. After I married his uncle, it was unceremoniously thrown in the trash.

My husband was an extremely possessive man. That night, he had held me and complained, "Don't keep anything of his. I'll give you better."

The next day, he personally fastened this sapphire necklace, "The Tears of Sicily," around my neck.

It was a Grimaldi family heirloom, to be worn only by the family's Donna.

Since when did Jeremy possess such wealth and status?

Just as I was about to clarify that this was not the necklace he had given me, I was interrupted.

"I want it." Gracie stared at the necklace with longing, clinging to Jeremy's arm and cooing, "Jeremy, I'm not feeling well. I need a symbol of status, something to let people know I belong to you. Can you give it to me?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Jeremy looked at her disapprovingly. "This was my engagement gift to Alessia. How can I just give it away?"

Gracie's eyes immediately reddened. "So in your eyes, I'm just an outsider?"

Jeremy quickly wiped her tears away before turning to me apologetically.

"Alessia, you've always loved jewelry. You have plenty of similar pieces at home. Why don't you let Gracie have this necklace?"

"Her parents died a long time ago, and I'm all she has. Once you're my wife, she'll be your sister, too. Just think of it as a little welcome gift for her, okay?"

A wave of boredom washed over me as I watched the farce unfold.

"You want it?" I reached up and unfastened the clasp of the necklace.

Gracie's eyes instantly lit up.

"But you can't have it." I pulled my hand back, my voice calm. "This is a family heirloom from my husband. If you want one so badly, wait for Jeremy to marry you and buy one himself."

Enraged by my coldness, Gracie burst into tears.

She threw herself into Jeremy's arms. "Jeremy, look at her! She's not even married to you yet, and she's already refusing to give back what's yours. Unlike me, my heart is only for you…"

I couldn't be bothered to waste another word on them. I turned and walked toward the company exit.

Besides, I had already given the blueprints to his secretary. Giovanni would know I had been here.

Just as I stepped out of the building, a bulletproof Maybach pulled up in front of me.

Usually, when I dropped something off, Giovanni would have his driver wait so we could have a few moments alone in the car on the way home.

This time, the driver, Rocco, leaned out the window. "Donna, the Don said he won't be coming down today. Shall I take you home?"

I shook my head, about to say I had driven myself today.

Then I heard Gracie's excited voice. "Wow, Jeremy, this car is so big and luxurious!"

I looked back to see Gracie had already opened the door and slipped inside. "The leather seats are so soft!" she exclaimed, stroking the interior.

"There's even a fridge and a wine cabinet! Jeremy, your uncle is so good to you."

Jeremy also got into the back seat, glancing smugly in my direction. "Alessia, need a ride?"

Gracie covered her mouth and giggled. "Don't you have a husband? Why would you need a ride in Jeremy's car?"

I shook my head. "No, thanks. I have my own car."

I dangled my car keys at them, walked over, and opened the door to my Aston Martin.

As I drove away, Rocco took out his phone to report the situation, then sat impassively in the driver's seat.

"Let's go," Jeremy said, tapping the back of the front seat. "Back to the manor."

The driver didn't move.

"Are you deaf?" Jeremy said impatiently. "I told you to drive."

"Waiting for the Don," Rocco finally said, his voice flat.

Jeremy paused. "Didn't my uncle send you to pick me up?"

Rocco answered truthfully. "The Don made no such arrangement. I was here to pick up the Don and his Donna."

"The Don's meeting was delayed, so I need to wait for his further instructions."

"If you require a car, I can call a taxi for you."

The atmosphere in the car grew thick with tension.

Jeremy's expression shifted from confused to rigid. Finally, he clenched his jaw and sullenly pulled Gracie out of the car.

I had afternoon tea with a friend and returned to the manor in the early evening.

As my car approached the electronic gates, I saw two familiar figures lingering outside, trying to use the biometric system.

Jeremy and Gracie. They were pacing by the entrance like a pair of stray dogs.

"Alessia!" Jeremy rushed over as soon as he saw my car. "What are you doing here?"

I rolled down the window. "Can I help you?"

He frowned, then seemed to have a realization.

"You just got back and you're already rushing to see Grandfather with me?"

"Don't worry, if you behave, I'll tell Grandfather to let you continue being my fiancée."

"Well, don't just stand there. Since you're here, give me a hand. There's something wrong with the gate system." Jeremy spoke with his usual arrogant tone. "It rejected my biometrics, and the guards won't open up. I'm Giovanni's nephew. Why don't I have access?"

"Maybe the system was updated," I said, looking at him. The truth was, Giovanni had specifically locked his access. After we got married, he had declared that he would never let that heartless man set foot in his domain again.

Jeremy glanced at the armed guards standing nearby.

"Then come over here and help me prove my identity to them!"

But as soon as he turned, Gracie spoke in a weak voice.

"Alessia, I know you don't like me, but can you at least let me go inside to rest? I really can't hold on much longer…"

I looked at her closely. Her face was indeed pale, but her eyes held a chilling, inscrutable glint.

Before Gracie could finish, her body went limp and she pitched toward me.

I instinctively sidestepped.

As the Donna, my personal safety was the top priority.

In that instant, Gracie screamed as she hit the ground, scraping her arm against the rough stone wall and drawing blood.

"Alessia!" Jeremy scrambled to help Gracie up. "What are you, crazy? Attacking a defenseless woman?"

I stared at this perpetual actress, floored by her audacity. "I didn't touch her."

"She's bleeding!" Jeremy pointed at Gracie's elbow. "You pushed her, and that's why she got hurt!"

Gracie sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm fine..." she coughed. "I was just scared. Alessia didn't mean to…"

Looking at his fragile adopted sister, Jeremy's expression turned to ice.

"Apologize," he commanded.

I raised an eyebrow.

"What did you say?"

"You dare bully the weak? Apologize. To Gracie," Jeremy bit out, each word dripping with venom.

I repeated wearily, "She fell on her own."

"Stop making excuses!" Jeremy roared. "Everyone saw it! You pushed her, that's why she fell and got hurt!"

I glanced at the armed guards standing nearby.

Sensing I was being threatened, they raised their weapons, but they were aimed at Jeremy.

Jeremy, however, was oblivious. He took a deep breath.

"Alessia, I'm saying this one last time. Apologize to Gracie! Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next!"

The armed guards were already closing in.

With my hands in my pockets, I felt no fear that he would harm me. I calmly asked, "And if I refuse?"

Jeremy sneered.

"Then you will never be my wife," he said, his words carrying a tone of finality. "And you will never set foot in this manor again."

I almost laughed out loud.

Be his wife? Set foot in the manor?

Does this arrogant fool really have no idea what's going on?

Just then, Gracie tugged on Jeremy's sleeve, her voice pleading pitifully.

"Jeremy, don't be angry. If Alessia is willing to let me drive that Aston Martin, I'll forgive her."

His anger still simmering, he soothed his adopted sister before turning back to me.

"Did you hear that? Gracie's giving you a way out. Be smart and hand over the Aston Martin."

At this, I scoffed.

"Jeremy, do you know whose manor this is?"

"Of course I do, it's the Grimaldi family's…"

A heavy cane came flying from inside the manor, striking Jeremy squarely on the back with a sharp thwack.

"You bastard!"

Don Marco, the old patriarch, emerged, his face a mask of pure rage.

"That is your Donna! How dare you give her orders?!"

Jeremy clutched his back and looked up, bewildered.

"Grandfather, what are you talking about? What Donna…"

Before he could finish, he noticed all the surrounding Soldati bow their heads in a subtle but unmistakable gesture of respect toward me.

It was a clear gesture of submission.