The heir to the New York mafia family, the Donovitch crime family, chose me as a potential fiancée candidate.

But I refused to become his wife and the future Madre of the Donovitch family.

Because in my previous life, he missed the desperate call from his childhood sweetheart on our wedding night.

That led to the sweetheart being killed by a Mexican cartel in revenge.

He vented all his frustration on me, using sulfuric acid to disfigure me, tearing off my limbs.

He tormented me for five long years.

Finally, he used the punishment method for a traitor to stuff me into a gasoline barrel and burn me alive.

In this life, I will definitely change my destiny.

He has a thing for his stepsister, so I'll let them have each other. But this time, that cold and arrogant man ends up crying and begging me to come back.

New York mafia family Donovitch, one of the five major New York crime families, their heir Leone Donovitch has reached the moment where he needs a political marriage to solidify his power.

But I know, Leone only loves his frail childhood sweetheart, Anastasia.

The old Don Vito Donovitch, that man as solid as a rock, sat at the highest position.

He would never allow his future heir, the future Don, to marry a woman who brought no benefit to the family.

So, he devised a roulette game. He wrote the names of his preferred marriage candidates on a spinning wheel, and whoever the wheel landed on would marry Leone.

Only if it landed on the empty space could Leone choose his own bride.

And I was the candidate handpicked by Donovitch's Madre.

This time, I knew the secret of the roulette. Before the ceremony began, I used my familiarity with the mansion's secret passages to tamper with the wheel's mechanism. I ensured the silver ball would land only in the empty slot.

The wheel spun slowly and then stopped.

"Empty!" the host announced, his voice trembling slightly.

The hall instantly fell dead silent, then the girls who weren't selected burst into suppressed gasps and disappointed whispers.

Only I showed no emotion.

Leone Donovitch's tense body suddenly relaxed. He whirled around and publicly embraced Anastasia, whose face had turned deathly pale.

"See, Anastasia?" his voice was hoarse with excitement. "Fate chose me! You can't refuse me this time."

Anastasia nestled in his arms, her cheeks flushing. "Leone, not here... everyone's watching. I've always... only thought of you as my brother." Her voice was soft and seductive, with just the right hint of hesitation.

"You'll learn to love me," Leone cupped her face with his usual, unquestionable dominance. "It's God's will." With that, his cold gaze pierced through the crowd, fixing on me.

The Donovitch Madre, Leone's stepmother, seated on high, instantly looked displeased. She forced a cough, trying to maintain her composure.

"Leone, this... this is quite unexpected. It seems fate, and perhaps God himself, favors you and Anastasia." She paused, struggling to maintain her poise. "But this matter is too significant. I must immediately inform your father, Don Vito Donovitch."

Leone's mouth couldn't help but curve upward in a victorious smile. "Of course. Please do so." His gaze swept over me again, filled with challenge.

He turned to the crowd and announced, "As for the other ladies present, the Donovitch family thanks you for coming. Please remain at the estate as our guests and attend the wedding between Anastasia and myself before you leave. Consider it a small compensation from our family."

He expected to see heartbreak, jealousy, or at least disappointment on my face.

I didn't give him any of that. I simply lifted the corner of my mouth and, like the other women around me who were either numb or fake-smiling, gave a light applause. Compared to the fatal marriage that awaited me in my past life, this freedom was priceless.

On stage, Leone's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. It seemed my calm had angered him. He abruptly grabbed Anastasia's hand, his voice rising: "Anastasia, let's go! I'll show you the new docks your father just handed over to me!"

As they passed by me, Leone leaned in close, speaking only for me to hear: "Don't think about playing games to get my attention. I will never choose you." Then he left without looking back.

As them left, the hall suddenly felt empty. I turned without hesitation to return to my room, grab my few belongings, and permanently leave this hell hole.

However, as I reached the corner of the corridor, Donovitch's Madre's personal bodyguard blocked my way, his tone harsh: "Miss Elena, the mistress requests your presence."

Inside the study, the heavy wooden door had just closed.

"SLAP!"

A resounding slap cracked across my face, burning and stinging.

Donovitch's Madre's perfectly maintained face was twisted with anger, all traces of a lady's elegance gone.

"You ungrateful bitch!" she screamed, her nails nearly poking my nose. "I had it all arranged! The wheel should have landed on your number! Why empty? What did you do?!"

I wiped away the blood trickling from the corner of my mouth, meeting her gaze calmly. "Madame, the roulette was guarded by the people the Donovitch family trusts most, and the mechanism was personally inspected by the old Don. How can you blame me for the outcome?"

"How dare you lie to me!" she stepped closer, her eyes fierce. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to! You think ruining this marriage means you and your pathetic family can stay uninvolved? Dream on! Your father groveled at my feet like a dog just to get you this chance! How dare you destroy my years of planning!"

"A chance?" I almost laughed coldly. "A chance to get me killed?"

She clearly didn't understand the meaning behind my words, taking it as mere defiance. "Listen to me, I don't care what tricks you played! Before the Don returns, you must find a way to make Leone change his mind and choose you! Anastasia that sickly thing—what good is she except for playing the victim and confusing Leone? She can never be the Madre of the Donovitch family! Only you, the Eastern European arms line behind you, can help Leone secure his position against those ambitious Capo eyeing the family!"

"I'm afraid not, Madame," I interrupted coldly, my voice completely devoid of emotion. "I have no interest in playing your family's power games."

She stared at me in shock, as if I'd just said the most absurd thing. "You... do you know the consequences of refusing the Donovitch family? With a single word from me, that pathetic arms business of your family will vanish overnight!"

Donovitch's Madre continued angrily: "You have three days to sort this out. You must become Leone's bride. Or else, your family will pay the price.

Even though Donovitch's Madre herself was dissatisfied with Anastasia becoming her daughter-in-law, to maintain her perfect image in front of her son, she shifted all responsibility onto me, making me the villain who ruined Leone and Anastasia's chances.

And as a result, I earned Leone's resentment, accelerating the tragedy of my past life.

I pulled the door open, ignoring her furious threats behind me, and walked out without looking back.

I had only walked a short distance when Anastasia emerged from behind a column like a ghost, blocking my path.

"Elena," she said my name with false concern, but her eyes gleamed with malice. "I think I heard the mistress was just now. Is she upset with you because... because Leone chose me instead?"

I stopped walking and watched her performance coldly.

Seeing I didn't respond, she continued on her own, her voice soft as a serpent's hiss: "You really shouldn't be too upset. After all, this roulette wasn't anything more than a show, was it? The Don... well, he actually wanted you. It's just that my dear Leone loves me so much that even God is on our side."

"Elena," her voice remained gentle, but her smile turned ice-cold. "Seeing how happy Leone and I are, are you disappointed?"

I stopped without turning around. "If you just want to gloat, you've got the wrong person."

She circled to stand in front of me, blocking my path. "Don't pretend. I know you hate me enough to want to kill me. You went through all that trouble trying to marry him, but look what happened? He can't even be bothered to look at you."

I looked at her and suddenly found her pitiful. "Anastasia, I hope you and Leone can be happy together. I won't come between you again."

She scoffed and took a step closer to me. "What makes you think you're worthy? Why would Don and the Madre both prefer you marrying Leone?"

She reached out to grab my wrist, her nails digging into my skin.

I tried to pull away. "Let go."

"What? You want to hit me?" Her voice suddenly rose dramatically, tears forming in her eyes as her grip tightened. "Is it just because Leone chose me? That's why you hate me so much?"

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached. Leone appeared at the end of the corridor, clearly drawn by Anastasia's raised voice.

The moment his gaze fell on us, Anastasia dramatically fell backward as if I had shoved her hard, landing heavily on the floor. At the same time, she cried out in pain: "Ow! My wrist!"

She lifted her arm to reveal a thin scratch.

On my wrist, I wore a delicate silver bracelet, its charm a small oval locket that could be opened.

Leone rushed forward in one stride, dropping to one knee beside Anastasia. "Anna! Are you okay?"

Anastasia immediately nestled into his arms, tears streaming down her face. "Leone... it's not Elena's fault... she was just... just too upset... I shouldn't have come to talk to her..."

Then she showed him her barely visible injury. "She just wanted so badly to be your bride, Leone. It's my fault too for being careless and getting scratched by Elena's bracelet."

"I didn't push her," I said calmly, my voice unnaturally clear in the empty corridor.

"You still dare to lie?" Leone gently held Anastasia's injured arm as if it were fragile porcelain. "The roulette's result when I was with Anastasia was God's will. What do you have to complain about?"

Then he stood up, grabbing my wrist that held the bracelet with enough force to crush bone. "Is this what hurt her?"

"Let me go," I tried to struggle free.

He stared at the bracelet with a sinister look. "You'll pay for this." He yanked hard.

"No!" I screamed, a wave of unprecedented panic washing over me.

But it was too late. The thin chain snapped and slipped from his hand. Without a second glance, he tossed it aside like trash into the incinerator chute built into the corridor wall—a disposal point for confidential documents that burned at constantly high temperatures.

Flames instantly swallowed the silver chain.

I stared at the jumping flames inside the chute, feeling all the blood in my body freeze.

Inside... inside that locket was a small amount of my deceased mother's ashes. It was the only thing she left me. The only comfort I had on countless cold nights.

I threw myself toward the incinerator, trying to rescue the necklace from the flames.

Leone seemed startled by my frantic actions but quickly caught me, restraining my movements.

But Anastasia's timely sobs immediately recaptured his attention.

"It hurts so much, Leone..." she whispered softly against him.

Leone released me immediately, bending down to lift her into his arms without another glance in my direction, turning to leave.

Only one cold sentence followed me: "Elena, you disgust me. If anything happens to Anastasia, I'll make you and your pathetic little family pay together."

Their footsteps faded down the corridor.

I was left alone, facing the merciless flames in the incinerator chute. The hot air washed over my face, but couldn't dispel the chill in my heart.

Slowly, slowly, I squatted down, hugging my knees and burying my face in them.

No tears. Not one.

The pain from being disfigured by acid, having my limbs torn off, and being burned alive in my past life seemed nothing compared to this heartbreak.

Once again, he had effortlessly destroyed the most precious thing in my life.

After a long time, until my legs went numb, I slowly stood up.

Just then, my phone rang. The name flashing on the screen was David, our family's Consigliere.

I answered the call.

"Elena!" David's voice contained suppressed fury and panic. "What the hell have you done? The Donovitch Madre just called, and she's pissed! She said you ruined the marriage and talked back to her! Leone Donovitch is threatening to make us pay! You're going to destroy our family's future!"

I could picture him pacing nervously back in Eastern Europe. Our Volkov family was all show and no substance, relying on clinging to the Donovitch family just to survive.

"Consigliere," I cut in, "The roulette landed on empty. Leone chose Anastasia himself. It has nothing to do with me."

"Nothing to do with it?" he raised his voice. "The Donovitch Madre specifically promised you would be the one! She was our best hope! Now look at us! Not only have we lost our backing, we've made enemies with them! Don't you realize? our smuggling line in Mexico just got shut down! Donovitch definitely ordered it! They could crush us with a snap of their fingers!"

David continued: "To become the Madre of Donovitch family—that's an honor most women would kill for! What's a little humiliation compared to that? For the family, personal sacrifice is necessary! You go back right now, apologize to Donovitch's Madre and Leone, and beg for forgiveness! No matter what, you have to salvage this marriage!"

Without waiting for my response, he hung up angrily.

Just like in my past life. For the family's interests, they wouldn't hesitate to throw me into the fire pit. And my father, though the nominal Don of our family, had long been sidelined by the Consigliere and Capo, becoming their leverage against me.

Suddenly, a notification scrolled across my encrypted underworld messaging app.

"The Cobella family is seeking a marriage alliance. Suitable females from major families may apply. Contact via secure channel for details."

The Cobella family. The uncrowned king of the European underworld, a controlling force in over 80% of arms trade. Their influence was enough to make all five New York families hold their breath.

However, rumors about the current Don were terrifying.

He lived in seclusion and was exceptionally mysterious.

The most widespread stories claimed he was elderly, mentally twisted, impotent, and had extremely sadistic tendencies.

All his former wives and fiancées had disappeared without a trace.

For this very reason, despite their immense power, the Cobella family's marriage offer was like a hot potato—desired by many families yet feared by just as many.

But for me, this was the best way to escape the Donovitch family and protect my father.

If I could become the Madre of the Cobella family—even nominally—Leone Donovitch wouldn't be able to touch me or my family. He would have to look up to me.

Without hesitation, I tapped on the message and began filling out my information according to the encryption instructions. I knew this was a gamble, but it was currently my only and fastest way to save myself.

According to Leone's previous orders, I and the other rejected women had to remain at the Donovitch estate, waiting to attend his wedding with Anastasia.

I knew this was a public humiliation, a reminder that I was rejected merchandise.

A few days later, Leone and Anastasia's engagement party was held at the luxurious Donovitch estate.

Core members of the New York underworld were all dressed to the nines, the air thick with the smell of expensive cigars and perfume.

Leone and Anastasia were the undeniable stars of the evening. He had his arm around her waist, receiving congratulations from family members and associates.

Anastasia wore an exquisite gown with a sweet smile, but her eyes kept glancing in my direction with undisguised triumph.

I chose a corner spot, wanting only to quietly endure this night. But Anastasia clearly had no intention of letting me off easy. She carried a glass of champagne and, along with a few other ladies from other families, sashayed over to where I stood.

"Oh, look who we have here?" Anastasia's voice was sickeningly sweet. "Our Elena Volkov, who almost became the future Madre of the Donovitch family. Sitting all alone here, don't you feel lonely?"

I looked up at her, expressionless.

One of her retorted with a sneer: "Anna, don't say that. Maybe she's still upset about the roulette results. After all, some people thought they had it in the bag."

Anastasia put on a magnanimous smile: "Now, now, the roulette was God's will. Leone and I are fate's design." She looked at me with false pity. "Elena, I know it's hard to accept. But throwing a fit won't change anything, it'll only embarrass you more. Leone's heart has always been with me."

Instead, I spoke calmly: "Anastasia, I wish you and Leone eternal happiness. I have no desire to come between you, please believe me."

My apparent calm seemed to enrage her. Anastasia's smile froze for a second before turning into a hurt expression: "I was just trying to be concerned..."

Seeing her wounded expression, those who wanted to curry favor with her gathered around to comfort her, some even throwing insults my way.

I just wanted this drama to end and remained silent.

Midway through the evening, the music in the ballroom grew soft as the first dance began. Leone was dancing with Anastasia, but his gaze occasionally drifted to my corner.

Suddenly, Anastasia let out a gasp. The music stopped abruptly.

"My necklace! The diamond necklace Leone gave me is gone!" She clutched her now-empty neck, her face turning pale as tears immediately welled in her eyes.

The entire hall fell silent. All eyes focused on her.

Leone immediately embraced her, asking in a low voice: "What's wrong, Anna? Don't panic, tell me slowly."

"It was here just now... right after I came over to talk with those ladies..." she sobbed, her eyes drifting in my direction. "I went to the restroom, and when I came back, it was gone... It was our love token..."

Leone's expression darkened instantly. He swept his gaze around the room, eyes like a hawk's. "Lock down the hall! No one leaves!"

Soldatos immediately moved to block all exits. The atmosphere grew tense and suffocating.

"Where did you last see the necklace?" Leone asked, his voice low but carrying unquestionable authority.

Anastasia timidly pointed in the direction of my corner: "It was... it was after I spoke with Elena over there..."

In an instant, I became the center of attention in the entire banquet.

Leone strode over to me. "You." He stared at me, his eyes icy. "Have you seen Anna's necklace?"

"No." I met his gaze.

"Search her." he commanded without hesitation, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I stood my ground, looking directly at Leone.

"I said, search her." Leone repeated, his tone more dangerous.

"On what grounds?" I asked, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. "Because of her vague accusation?"

"Because I'm Leone Donovitch, and this is my territory." he leaned in, whispering in my ear, his voice for me alone. "Or perhaps you're guilty as charged?"

Anastasia came over, taking Leone's arm with tear-filled eyes: "Leone, let it go... maybe I just misremembered, or it fell somewhere else... don't do this to Elena just because of me..."

"No." Leone was resolute. "Stealing family property, especially an heir's gift, is a challenge to the Donovitch family. This must be investigated." He looked back at me. "Either you strip, or I have my men do it for you."

Wave after wave of humiliation washed over me. To be forced to strip in public to prove my innocence?

I looked at Leone. There was not a shred of trust in his eyes, only disgust and certainty.

The tender way he looked at Anastasia versus the cold treatment I was receiving created a cruel contrast.

"I didn't steal anything." I said, enunciating each word.

"Prove it." he said without feeling.

I knew resistance would only lead to harsher treatment.

Under the gazes of the crowd—some sympathetic, some mocking, some indifferent—I stiffly began to remove my evening gown's outer layer, then my shoes.

I was left in only my slip. The cold air against my skin sent shivers through me. I bit my lip tightly, not allowing any sign of weakness.

"Satisfied?" I asked, looking at him with empty eyes.

Leone frowned deeper, as if my compliance and indifference caught him off guard, even displeased him. He signaled a maid to search through the clothes I'd removed.

The maid carefully checked the pockets of the jacket and skirt before shaking her head: "Young Master Leone, nothing."

Anastasia suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the inside of my slip's waistband: "There... is that something shining over there..."

All eyes focused on that spot.

The maid felt inside the waistband of my slip and actually pulled out a sparkling diamond necklace!

A wave of gasps swept through the hall.

"Really on her!"

"Oh my god, she actually stole it!"

"Eastern European trash, as expected with their dirty hands..."

The whispers stung like poison darts.

Anastasia covered her mouth with a hand, looking at me in pretended disbelief, but a triumphant glint flashed in her eyes.

"Elena... why... why would you do such a thing? If you like it, I could ask Leone to get you something else..."

Leone looked at the recovered necklace, then at me, the last trace of doubt in his eyes gone, replaced by utter disdain and anger.

He snatched the necklace and personally fastened it around Anastasia's neck.

"Now, what do you have to say for yourself?" he asked, his voice as cold as ice.

I knew any explanation would be futile. He had always believed Anastasia, and always would.

"According to family rules, what's the punishment for stealing important property from an heir?" Leone asked his assistant beside him.

The assistant bowed: "Fifty lashes, Young Master Leone. To be carried out publicly in the courtyard as a warning to others."

Leone's gaze swept over my pale face, without a hint of wavering. "Carry it out."

I was dragged to the cold courtyard by two large Soldatos. A rough stone pillar served as the whipping post. They bound my wrists to it.

The sound of the whip cutting through the air was sharp and piercing.

The first lash landed across my back, the pain of splitting skin making me almost faint. I bit down hard on my lip, tasting blood. The second, third... pain spread like flames.

The courtyard was filled with onlookers—family members, servants, and the other rejected women.

Their gazes varied, but no one spoke up for me.

Anastasia nestled in Leone's arms, burying her face against his chest as if unable to bear the cruel sight, but I could see the suppressed smile playing on her lips.

Leone stood there the entire time, watching with an impassive expression.

His eyes regarded me like a despicable, unknown criminal.

Thirty, forty... consciousness began to blur; only the pain was real.

When the fiftieth lash finally landed, my back was a bloody mess, barely recognizable.

The Soldatos untied my wrists. I collapsed to the ground, my cheek pressed against the cold stone slabs.

"Drag her away. Don't dirty the place," Leone's cold voice came.

No one offered to help me.

Supporting myself on my elbows, I moved inch by inch, using all my strength, dragging my nearly broken body toward the estate infirmary.

Behind me, a trail of blood followed.

By the time I reached the infirmary door, I had exhausted my last ounce of energy.

The Donovitch family's private doctor looked at me with a slight frown. As if under orders, he simply tossed me a roll of gauze and a bottle of disinfectant.

"Mr. Leone has issued orders. No one is to help treat your wounds. You'll have to do it yourself," he said coldly, then turned and left.

Before Anastasia returned to her home country, Leone had always been good to me.

He once spent a hundred million on fireworks just to make me smile. He once single-handedly stormed into enemy territory to rescue me.

Therefore, in my past life, I never would have believed he could be so cruel to me.

Now, leaning against the cold wall, I trembled as I tried to clean my wounds with hands covered in dirt and blood, applying medication, then wrapping them with gauze.

Each movement sent nerve-shredding pain through me.

And with each pain, my resolve hardened.

My phone vibrated. A message from my father:

"Elena, we were ambushed during a family transaction. Critical situation. Request support immediately."