While I've been unconscious for 12 days after getting into a car crash, I end up spending 12 years wandering in my dreams.

In my dreams, I play the role as the fake mafia principessa. I've committed all atrocious crimes for the sake of my lover, Marcello Gallo, only for him to expose me in front of everyone on our wedding day. In the end, I freeze to death on the streets.

When I open my eyes again, I've returned to the day Marcello brings the real principessa, Viviana Sabato, home.

He's still gazing at me as sincerely as he did in the past. But I know that in the future, he will cross his fingers while making our vows before the priest.

Even if I have to go through everything one more time, I know that I must give up on Marcello no matter how genuine his feelings are for me right now.

I had just opened my eyes when I was informed by the nurse that I had been in a coma for 12 days. I, however, knew that I had lived for 12 years in my dreams. I went from being a pampered Principessa to being Marcello Gallo's most lethal weapon during that period.

I pleaded with Papa, Vincenzo Sabato, to start a blood war to eliminate the opposing famiglia in a single night when Marcello wanted the underground casino in Veridia.

I even remembered that the opposing famiglia's successor was Stefano Lombardi. I had staged a car accident that left him paralyzed for the rest of his life.

I found it utterly ridiculous when I didn't even hesitate to sign the consent form when Viviana Sabato, the real Principessa of the Sabato famiglia, suffered kidney failure.

Marcello held me and said, "I'm in your debt in this lifetime, Valentina."

I merely smiled and told him he didn't owe me anything.

It was three months later, at our wedding, that Marcello publicly took Viviana's hand and, before the guests, God, and the priest, stated coldly, "I never loved you, Valentina. I felt disgusted every single day we were together."

He went on to detail my "crimes" point by point—the very things I had done for his sake were now used as proof of my guilt.

It rained heavily that day. Marcello's bodyguards threw me out of the church, and my wedding dress grew heavy and cold as it soaked through. I walked three blocks before collapsing at the mouth of an alley, where I froze to death on what should have been my wedding day.

It was then that the chauffeur, Luca Russo, spoke up and dragged me back to the present. "You don't look so well, Ms. Sabato. Do you want to go back to the hospital to get checked again?"

I shook my head and turned my gaze to the streets rushing past the car window. I was aware that nothing had happened yet—Marcello's hatred hadn't taken root yet, and Stefano was still unharmed. I also hadn't yet started my descent into ruin.

"Is Marcello coming over today, Luca?"

Luca looked at me through the rearview mirror and replied hesitatingly, "Don Sadato and Madre Sadato didn't mention it, but Mr. Gallo has visited every day lately. He will probably come today, too."

I realized then that today was the day. I recalled Marcello bringing Viviana over today in my dream. I had caused a scene and embarrassed them publicly, cementing my reputation as a malicious woman in his eyes. I wasn't going to let that happen this time.

I then instructed Luca, "I need you to hurry up, Luca. I want to see my parents before Marcello shows up."

It was already 4:00 pm when the car pulled into Sabato Estate, just as the afternoon sunlight fell perfectly across the grounds. Mamma, Rosa Moretti, with her eyes swollen from crying, came out to meet me.

I knew then that they had already located Viviana, their biological daughter.

Mamma hugged me and asked, "Why didn't you have us pick you up from the hospital, Valentina?"

"I'm fine, Mamma," I replied as I returned her embrace, the familiar smell of her perfume making my eyes well up with tears. I then asked, "Where's Papa?"

Mamma took my hand and led me into the house. "Vincenzo is currently in the study. There's something I need to tell you, Valentina. I—"

I softly cut her off, saying, "I know you've found your biological daughter, Mamma."

Mamma was stunned.

I opted for the most straightforward explanation, saying, "I had some dreams while I was in a coma, and in them, I made a lot of mistakes and hurt a lot of people. I want to get some things out in the open right now, Mamma."

Papa sat behind his mahogany desk in the study, where a document lay open right in front of him.

I called out to him as he caught sight of me and removed his glasses. I then walked up to the desk, took out the document I had prepared at the hospital from my bag, and handed it to Papa, saying, "I've made my decision, Papa."

Papa took the document, but his expression shifted instantly upon reading it. He looked up at me, looking visibly upset. "What do you mean you want to relinquish all claims to the inheritance? What's the meaning of this, Valentina?"

I replied calmly, "It means exactly what it says. All of the Sabato famiglia's assets should have been your biological daughter's, Mamma and Papa. It's about time for me to step back since I've taken her place for 22 years."

Papa stood up and slammed his hand on the desk, making it rattle. "Who said you've taken her place? Your Mamma and I have raised you for 22 years! You are our daughter in every way that matters, Valentina!"

I looked at Mamma and Papa and stated deliberately, "It's because of that that I can't be selfish. It wouldn't be fair to your biological daughter if I held on to the famiglia inheritance."

Mamma placed her hand over her mouth as tears started streaming down her face.

Papa gazed at me for a long while and then sank back into his chair, looking weary. He then asked, "Is it because of Marcello? Do you fear Viviana's return will impact your engagement with him?"

I laughed, and tears began to well up as I did. I then whispered, "Do you think you'd believe me if I told you that I never wanted that engagement with Marcello, Papa?"

Mamma and Papa were at a loss for words. After all, they thought that I was madly in love with Marcello. I had also announced before everyone in the famiglia on my 22nd birthday that I wouldn't marry anyone but Marcello.

Yet, at this moment, I was saying I no longer wanted the engagement.

"H-Have you found something out, Valentina?" Mamma came over and held my hand. She knew all along that Marcello wasn't a good match for me, but she had been unable to persuade me otherwise back then.

I replied, "I know Marcello will come today, and I also know he'll be bringing Viviana along with him."

I had just said that when the doorbell suddenly rang, and the household staff suddenly spoke up through the intercom. "Mr. Gallo has arrived, Don Sadato, Madre Sadato. He is accompanied by a young woman."

I knew Marcello and Viviana had arrived. I took a deep breath and adjusted my hospital gown. I hadn't changed on purpose, wanting Marcello to clearly see the condition I was in.

Papa told the household staff to let them in before he turned to me and asked grimly, "Have you really made up your mind, Valentina?"

I replied firmly, "I'm sure of it. Also, Papa, no matter what happens next—what I say or what I do—please don't try to hold me back."

Papa studied me deeply before finally nodding in agreement.

I took a seat on the couch with Mamma's help, while Marcello and Viviana walked hand-in-hand.

Marcello's eyes lit up at the sight of me. "You've already been discharged, Valentina? Didn't the doctor say they wanted to keep you for another two days for observation?"

He sounded rushed, as if he were deeply concerned. "Why do you look so pale? Do you feel unwell again?"

He extended his hand, intending to touch my face, but I drew back, leaving his hand awkwardly suspended midair.

I said calmly, "I'm glad you're here today, Mr. Gallo, since I have an announcement to make."

Marcello was taken aback, looking confused and hurt. He hadn't become the cold-blooded Marcello of the future yet; he likely still loved me now.

That didn't matter to me anymore, though, as I had already witnessed his cruelty—crossing his fingers while making our vows before the priest and leaving me to die in the freezing rain on our wedding day.

Marcello furrowed his brow, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, "What's the matter, Valentina? Are you upset with me? I didn't visit you in the hospital over the past few days because—"

"You were occupied with the long-lost Principessa of the Sabato famiglia, right?" I cut Marcello off before I turned to Viviana and said, "You must be Viviana."

Viviana trembled and bowed her head further.

"You have nothing to be afraid of, Viviana," Marcello said, instinctively putting her behind his back to shield her.

That gesture came naturally to him, so naturally that he didn't even notice it himself. Papa and I noticed it, though.

Papa asked gravely, "Do you not plan on introducing that young lady to us, Marcello?"

Marcello snapped back to reality and replied hurriedly, "I'd like you to meet Viviana Sabato. Don Sabato, Madre Sabato. I've finally found your long-lost daughter."

Mamma rose to her feet, her eyes tracing every detail of Viviana's face. She was trembling with emotion as she reached out toward her, though she was afraid to make contact.

"S-She truly resembles…"

Viviana finally raised her head, though she ultimately remained silent when she tried to speak.

In that instant, the wonder of blood kinship was on full display—despite being apart for 22 years, the natural affinity was immediately apparent.

I observed the scene in silence as I recalled what I had done in my dreams. I had charged forward to shove Viviana aside, screaming that she was a fraud and demanding the security guards kick her out.

I was completely unmoved at this moment, though. Instead, I was consumed by the events that were yet to happen.

Marcello held my hand while we stood before the priest, making our vows. He smiled gently after the priest asked if he would love and honor me in sickness and in health for the rest of his life and replied resolutely, "I do."

However, his left hand was concealed behind his back, with his fingers crossed—an unmistakable gesture signaling a lie.

I had noticed it back then, yet I convinced myself that it was a mistake. I wouldn't make that mistake a second time.

I approached Viviana and offered my hand, saying, "Welcome home, Viviana."

Viviana stared at me, looking completely terrified and unsettled. She wouldn't reach for my hand, choosing to look at Marcello in desperation instead.

Marcello looked at me, his brow slightly furrowed. "Valentina—"

I cut him off, retracted my hand, and turned to Mamma and Papa. "I have some things I need to clarify since Viviana has returned."

I held up the document regarding my inheritance rights and stated flatly, "I am giving up my claim to the Sabato famiglia—the estate, the business shares, and the famiglia's power should be handed over to Viviana instead."

I turned to Marcello and said clearly, "I'd also like to call off my engagement to Mr. Gallo."

Marcello's expression immediately shifted, his voice trembling as he asked, "What are you talking about, Valentina?"

I replied indifferently, "I'm saying that the engagement is off. Mr. Gallo and I are nothing to each other from this point forward."

Marcello instinctively stepped forward. "Why are you doing this, Valentina? Is it because of Viviana? I'm just her friend! I helped her because she's your sister, Valentina. I never once—"

I cut him off. "You want to tell me that you never once loved her, right?"

Marcello was stunned, while Viviana trembled slightly.

I smiled faintly and said, "You're right. You love me. It's always been me, and it always will be. Isn't that right?"

Marcello's lips quivered, as if he wanted to speak, but no words came out.

I whispered, "Love can change, Marcello."

Marcello shook his head in denial, exclaiming frantically, "That won't happen, Valentina! How I feel about you will never change! I—"

"That's enough!" Papa cut in before he rose from his seat and approached Marcello. "I'm only going to ask you one question, Marcello. What was your true intention in bringing Viviana here today?"

Marcello's face grew paler. "Don Sabato, I—"

"If your only goal was to find the long-lost daughter of the Sabato famiglia, then you should have called us first and let us take it from there. You wouldn't have brought her here yourself, Marcello.

"Did you want a favor from the Sabato famiglia? Did you want Viviana to rely on you during her moment of vulnerability?"

Papa paused for a moment, looking at Viviana and me. "Did you want a hold over both our famiglia's Principessas—or more precisely, both future Donnas?"

Marcello stumbled back from the weight of that accusation, his composure breaking. He then stammered, "T-That's not it, Don Sabato. You've misunderstood—"

Papa sneered. "You actually dare say it's just a mere misunderstanding, huh? I've been around much longer than you, Marcello. I can see through your petty schemes plain as day."

Marcello was about to explain himself again, but I stopped him before he could.

"You shouldn't bother with him anymore, Papa," I said as I picked up the document and turned toward Marcello. "Thank you for assisting the Sabato famiglia in locating the real Principessa, Mr. Gallo. You can rest assured that we won't forget this favor."

I nodded slightly toward him after saying that.

Marcello stood rooted to the spot, watching as I bowed, stood back up, and headed for the stairs. He suddenly shouted after me. "Valentina!"

I didn't look back. In fact, I would never turn back for Marcello ever again.

I made it to my room and leaned on the door before I felt the tremors in my body. I wasn't shaking out of fear; it was fury, resentment, and a pain I couldn't bring myself to acknowledge.

I nearly relented after seeing the agonizing look on Marcello's face.

I, however, had to remind myself that Marcello had turned to embrace Viviana after I donated my kidney, whispering to her that the wait was finally over. I recalled how he had humiliated me during our wedding by revealing every misdeed I had committed on his behalf.

I also remembered how I ended up freezing to death that night, waiting for an apology that never came.

I moved to the window and drew the curtain back a fraction, noticing that Marcello and Viviana were leaving the grounds.

Marcello paused by the car rather than getting in, casting his gaze up toward my room. Through the window, we looked directly at each other.

I could see his bloodshot eyes and tightly pressed lips as the sunlight illuminated his face. He managed a smile, though it held no malice or sarcasm; it was purely bitter. He looked at me as if he was silently questioning my sudden change in behavior.

I didn't respond to any of it, merely drawing the curtain closed.

I had completed the first phase, so it was time for me to move on to the second phase—seeking out Stefano.

I had sacrificed his future for Marcello in my dreams, so I planned to seek redemption and build a path of retreat for myself.