My twin sister, Lydia, is obsessed with mafia romance novels. All she's ever wanted is to marry into a mafia family and live a life of luxury.

She set her sights on Lorenzo 'Enzo' Caruso, the heir to the Caruso crime family in New Cadenza City, who was recovering from an assassination attempt. She wormed her way into his life as his temporary caretaker.

But she quickly grew tired of the job. So, she made me take her place.

When Lorenzo finally recovered and threw a grand celebration party, Lydia decided to drug him with a powerful aphrodisiac to cement her place as the next Mrs. Caruso.

This time, I didn't stop her. I even booked a luxurious suite for her to carry out her plan.

In my past life, I had begged Lydia not to do it. I warned her that romance novels weren't real life, that men like Lorenzo were actual mobsters—not people you mess with. Surprisingly, she listened to me and called off her plan.

But soon after, word got out that Lorenzo was engaged to someone else. Just like that, Lydia's grand fantasy was shattered.

She blamed me for ruining her "dream." My parents blamed me too; they hit me, cursed me, saying it was all my fault that Lydia hadn't married Lorenzo.

One night, Lydia completely broke down. She walked into my room with a table lamp and bludgeoned me to death.

Now, I've been given a second chance. I woke up on the night of Lorenzo's recovery party.

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1

"Now that he's recovered, you don't have to pretend to be me anymore."

My twin sister, Lydia Russell, stood before me with a twisted smile. She dangled a small vial in her hand as if it were some rare treasure. "This stuff works wonders. It cost me a fortune, but all I have to do is slip one drop into his drink, and I'll be the next Mrs. Caruso!"

She looked triumphant, already fantasizing about sleeping with Lorenzo Caruso—the feared Underboss of the Caruso family—and ruling the city’s underworld as his wife.

I remained calm. I didn't try to talk her out of it like I did in my past life.

"Alright," I said flatly. "Good luck."

But Lydia wasn't about to let me off that easily. She grabbed my arm, leaned in close, and lowered her voice.

"Don't forget. You've been pretending to be me, taking care of him for weeks. You know things I don't. You're sticking by my side until this is done."

Then she tossed me a pair of sunglasses and a face mask. "Cover your face. If anyone finds out the truth and ruins my plan, I'll kill you."

I just gave her a small smile. "Got it."

After weeks as Lorenzo's caretaker, I knew one thing for certain: he was no spoiled, simple-minded heir. As the Underboss of the Caruso family, he was shrewd and ruthless. Lydia thought she could outsmart him, but she was walking straight into her own grave.

And I wasn't going to stand in her way.

Lydia strutted over to him, holding the specially prepared glass of champagne. Lorenzo drank it without hesitation, and within minutes, an unnatural flush spread across his handsome face, and his body began to sway unsteadily.

Playing the part of his caretaker once more, Lydia rushed to help him upstairs.

On the way, I slipped a hotel key card into her hand. "I booked room 800 for you."

Her eyes lit up. "I guess you're not completely useless after all."

"Once I'm officially his, I'll set you up with one of the family's soldati or a bodyguard. That should be enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life."

"Stand guard outside. Don't let anyone ruin my big moment. If this goes south, I'll make sure Mom and Dad make your life hell."

I didn't argue. I just followed them upstairs and quietly positioned myself across the hall, not right at her door.

A few minutes later, a loud crash came from inside the room.

Then the door was thrown open, and Lorenzo staggered out.

Lorenzo's breathing was heavy, his face tight with fury. He looked like a cornered animal, ready to lash out.

Lydia was slumped on the floor, unconscious, with a bleeding gash on her forehead.

I knew it. I knew she'd never succeed.

For now, it was just a beating. But once Lorenzo sobered up, I doubted she'd live to see another day.

I let out a slow breath and was about to slip away when a hand like an iron vise clamped down on my wrist.

The next second, Lorenzo yanked me into the room next door.

I was still wearing my mask. My terrified eyes met his.

The hotel lights were dim, casting long shadows on the wall. He pinned me against it, his voice low and hoarse, hot with the drug's effect.

"Your scent... your shape... you feel so familiar. Who are you?"

I froze. There was no way I could answer him. We had spent so much time together—if I spoke, he would know it was me.

I couldn't let anything happen between us. If it did, I'd end up just like Lydia.

I struggled to break free, but even drugged, Lorenzo's strength was like steel, pinning me in place. I didn't stand a chance.

I opened my mouth to scream for help, but he suddenly leaned down, his hot breath fanning my ear as he whispered, "Your eyes... are so beautiful..."

I went rigid. For a second, I thought he'd recognized me.

Then, he ripped off my mask and kissed me with an almost punishing force.

Panic washed over me. I quickly shut off the lights, but after that, there was no more chance to escape.

The hours blurred into a dark, painful haze. It wasn't until late into the night that Lorenzo's grip finally loosened, his strength fading.

Every part of my body screamed in pain, but I forced myself to get up and get dressed.

I wasn't like Lydia, living in some mafia romance novel and believing a ruthless man would fall for a naive girl like her. I wouldn't let myself get trapped in a mess I couldn't escape.

So while he was asleep, I slipped out. I didn't hesitate, and I didn't look back. I would just pretend nothing had ever happened.

But just as I stepped out of the room, I saw a man I recognized as Marco Gallo, a low-level gangster from another family, stumbling out of the room next door.

He whistled low when he saw me.

I glanced past him into the room. Clothes were strewn everywhere, and Lydia was lying on the bed, her dress torn, completely unconscious.

Remembering how she had murdered me in my last life, I just quietly closed the door and walked away.

When I got home, my parents rushed to greet me, both holding plates piled high with food, their faces alight with greedy excitement.

"Lydia, sweetie, you're finally home!"

But then their smiles froze.

"Jade? What are you doing here? Where's Lydia?"

"We told you to stay by her side! To protect her! To make sure nothing went wrong!"

I stared at them, the familiar sting of their favoritism long since faded to a dull ache. If Lydia and I didn't look exactly alike, I would have sworn I was adopted.

I walked past them without a word. "I'm just here to pack my things. I'm moving out."

My mother's face twisted into an ugly mask of rage. "What are you talking about? How can you afford rent?"

As I folded my clothes into a suitcase, I said slowly, almost calmly, "If Lydia really marries into the Caruso family, they'll want to visit. What happens when they see me and realize the truth? Of course, if you want me to stay, I will..."

The moment they realized my presence might jeopardize Lydia's future, their concern for her evaporated.

They practically shoved me out the door.

"Get out! Don't be an eyesore here. I don't want you ruining Lydia's good fortune and dragging our family down with you!"