I remained seated this time, not even moving an inch. I looked indifferently at Clodia and said, "It's none of your business who I choose."

Clodia's triumphant smile faltered for a moment. "You don't have to be like that, Eva."

She leaned in as fake tears quickly welled up in her eyes and whispered, "I'm just looking out for you, Eva. You surely won't mind if I have Simone's complete devotion, right? You were foolish enough to take a bullet for him, after all.

"If you're left completely starved for affection after the wedding, I'll buy you a few toys to keep you company, Eva."

"Shut up," I hissed, looking at her with revulsion. I had no intention of hearing any more from this deranged couple, so I rose to my feet to leave.

Without a second thought, Clodia poured white wine all over herself, which instantly drenched the front of her dress and made her nipples visible beneath the fabric.

She shrieked in feigned distress, saying, "I was only trying to be helpful by telling you to pick Simone, Eva! Why do you hate me so much that you had to throw wine at me? I put so much effort into getting this dress custom-made!"

Simone swiftly removed his suit jacket and wrapped it around Clodia. He turned to glare at me as he kept her protected in his arms. "Your jealousy is truly unbearable, Eva! How could you possibly compare to Clodia?"

He yelled, "You'd better stay here and reflect on your actions, Eva! You'll apologize to Clodia in front of everyone present once the formal betrothal announcement ceremony begins!"

Having said his piece, Simone guided Clodia toward the upstairs dressing room with his arm around her.

I felt sick to my stomach, so I went up to the second-floor balcony for some air. I then turned around and headed back inside to go downstairs to the main hall, just when the reception was about to get underway.

Clodia actually followed me after she finished changing. She cut me off right at the landing of the stairs, looking entirely provocative. "You know that I'm the one Simone actually loves. You'll be nothing but a wife in name only after tonight, Eva."

She stroked her belly triumphantly and continued, "I'm already pregnant with Simone's child, so when the time comes, everything in this Famiglia will belong to me, Eva."

In my past life, I found out that the child was actually just a bastard from a random hookup with an escort at some bar. I tried to be helpful by telling Simone the truth, but he lashed out at me, calling me insanely jealous, and went so far as to lock me in a dungeon to rethink my behavior.

I noticed that she was staring straight at my face, as if waiting for me to explode in anger. I found it utterly absurd, though. I figured she was repeating her usual trick.

I had no intention of wasting even a second on her since the ceremony was about to start, so I simply brushed past her and hurried downstairs.

Clodia lost her patience after seeing that I wasn't falling for her provocation. She suddenly rushed ahead of me and lunged, reaching her hand out toward my back.

Clodia was wearing stiletto heels that were over four inches high. She suddenly lost her footing and balance. She shrieked in fright as she rolled all the way down the long spiral staircase, letting out a series of dull thuds.

She landed at the bottom of the staircase, her forehead having struck the sharp edge of the marble step, with fresh blood coloring half her cheek. She shielded her head and wailed piercingly. "Please don't kill me, Eva! I'll let you have Simone, so please spare me!"

In that instant, whispers rippled through the main hall.

"Eva is so vicious. She didn't even spare her own sister."

"She clearly suffers from a lack of upbringing by her mother if she is jealous of her stepsister."

Simone shoved his way through the crowd and ran over. He gently gathered the bleeding Clodia in her arms and glared up at me with bloodshot eyes.

He then pointed and roared, "I'm deeply disappointed in you, Eva! You'd better apologize to Clodia this instant!"

I walked down the stairs one step at a time, looking down at the two of them. "I clearly didn't push her. I mean, how can you not see through such clumsy framing, Simone?"

Simone was enraged by my response. He got up and brought his hand down fiercely across my face, sending a searing pain through my left cheek.

He stood stunned after delivering the blow. He stared at his own reddened palm, a flicker of remorse visible in his eyes. He lifted his hand as if to touch my face, but ultimately let it drop back down stiffly.

I licked the blood from the corner of my mouth and stared coldly at him. I was right on the verge of fighting back when the heavy tolling of the bells rang out.

It indicated that my formal betrothal announcement ceremony had officially commenced.

Don Conti emerged from the study, leaning heavily on his cane.

In that instant, everyone in the hall fell dead silent, the crowd parting automatically to clear a path.

Don Conti furrowed his brow deeply as he took in the chaotic scene below the stairs. His Consigliere, who was standing behind him, held a velvet tray, upon which rested the Leone Ring—the ultimate symbol of authority in the Conti Famiglia.

"You may step forward and make your choice, Eva," Don Conti commanded solemnly.

In that instant, everyone's gaze was focused on me, as this was the moment that would determine the future Don of the Conti Famiglia.

I walked over and picked up the ring, then made my way toward Simone one step at a time.

Clodia was helped to her feet by some Made Men in the corner. She glared at me, her eyes filled with malice and spite.

Simone's eyes lit with satisfaction. He felt certain that I had merely been throwing a temper tantrum due to the intensity of my love for him. He proudly straightened his suit jacket, which had just been creased, and took a few steps forward.

He confidently extended his right hand to me, his tone filled with condescension while saying, "You've played this scene long enough now, Eva. You should just give me the ring—and I'll marry you."

I ignored him completely, walked straight past, and stopped in front of Aldo, who was standing behind him, instead.

Simone's hand hung frozen in midair as the smile stiffened on his face.