My mother presented my sister, Amber, and me with a choice of husbands—an arranged marriage to save our declining O'Malley family.

Unexpectedly, Amber gave up Casbin, the man she had been desperately in love with for four years—the Underboss of the Valachi family, the Chicago mafia.

Instead, she chose Niccolo, the infamous heir to the Gallo family.

My mother was utterly shocked. "I know he's rich, Amber, but the Gallo family's reputation... And I thought you loved Casbin. Are you sure about this?"

But Amber was unshakeable.

That alone confirmed my suspicion.

Amber, just like me, had been reborn.

In our past life, she got her wish and married Casbin Valachi, only to be neglected by him for ten long years. His indifference nearly drove her mad.

Meanwhile, the brutal Niccolo Gallo had reined in his wild ways for me, and we became the couple envied throughout the mafia world.

Until our tenth wedding anniversary, when Amber, consumed by jealousy, orchestrated a plot that killed both Niccolo and me.

Now, we have a second chance.

This time, I chose Casbin. "He's mine now, Amber. And there are no third chances."

Amber sneered. "This time, all the love in the world will be mine for the taking."

She still didn't understand. When it came to marriage, love was the most unreliable currency of all.

————————

1

Our mother was still trying to change Amber's mind. "Casbin is the Underboss of the Valachi family. I know he’s a force in his own right, but he's in line to be the next Don sooner or later..."

Amber cut her off impatiently, "Enough. I chased him for four years, and he never gave me a second glance. What makes you think I'll be happy if I marry him? Relax, Mom. I'm gorgeous. Niccolo will be falling all over himself for me."

I watched Amber's brazen confidence with amusement. In my previous life, I was engaged to Niccolo Gallo. Our first meeting was at a strip club after he called and demanded I bring him a large sum of cash.

When I walked into his smoke-filled private room, he was surrounded by five dancers grinding against him, the air thick with the stench of cheap perfume.

A malicious smirk twisted Niccolo's lips as he grabbed a stack of bills and threw them in my face. "First lesson in being my wife: learn your place."

For a man like Niccolo, beauty was worthless. He’d seen more beautiful women than he’d ordered men killed.

However, Amber insisted, and our mother, who had always spoiled her rotten, let her have her way.

...

The next day, I called Casbin. "We need to meet."

"I don't think that's necessary." His voice was as cold and sharp as a Sicilian winter.

There were things I had to discuss with this man before our marriage. I said, "I have information about Ophelia Valachi. If you're interested, meet me at the Valachi family's private club."

Ophelia was Casbin's adopted sister. He'd taken her in himself when she was just a child, but she had vanished four years ago.

From my past life, I knew Ophelia was his only weakness. I knew he would come.

...

An hour later, the door to the private room was flung open. Casbin strode in, dressed in a meticulously tailored black suit. He sat down across from me, his eyes openly hostile. "Speak."

I ignored his command and slid an agreement across the table. "Our marriage will be in name only. You live your life, I'll live mine. I'll maintain the public facade, and in exchange, I get the West Side. I plan to run my art restoration and trading business from there."

When I was in college, my mother poured all her money into Amber. I had to work part-time jobs to pay my own tuition and opened this studio before I graduated.

The Valachi family's territory stretched all over Chicago, and I just wanted a corner to call my own. If I could get his protection, my business could survive.

He sneered. "What makes you think you're in any position to negotiate? A daughter from the failing O'Malley family, and you think you can make demands of me?"

"Fine," I said coldly. "Then I guess Ophelia will have to remain a mystery."

That lit his fuse. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes, but he picked up the pen and signed his name on the document. "Now, talk."

I smiled. "She's alive."

The air in the room froze. I knew he wanted more. He wanted details. But I had already put down my wine glass, ready to leave.

To handle a man like him, you had to dangle the bait and let him come to you.

He didn't stop me but followed a few paces behind. And then, we ran into Amber.

I had chosen this club on purpose. Since I had died so tragically in my past life, this time I was going to make Amber the laughingstock of the evening.

She was draped all over Niccolo, but when she saw me, she sauntered over with a smug look on her face. "Oh, Scarlett, you look terrible. Did Casbin upset you? Of course he did. If even I couldn't win his heart, a cold woman like you doesn't stand a chance."

"Don't come crying to me when your heart is broken, Amber. I'll be too busy running my business with my husband's support to have time for you."

I sneered, glancing at a group of seductive women who sashayed past them. It seemed Amber had learned her lesson. The old her would have exploded seeing Niccolo flirt with other women right in front of her.

"A word of advice as your sister, Amber. Be careful. Don't let the filthy diseases from the Gallo family ruin you." Then I linked my arm with Casbin's and smiled up at him. "Oh, we get along just fine."

"Impossible! He would never fall for a woman like you!"

I replied without hesitation, "Just because you couldn't have him doesn't mean I can't."

Casbin pulled his arm back and left us there.

Amber cackled with delight. "You almost had me fooled."

Even Niccolo found it amusing. "He ditched you, little beauty. But, I don't mind having another mistress."

I glared at him. "Sorry, I'm a germaphobe."

His face darkened. He slammed me against the wall, the cold muzzle of a gun pressed against my temple. I knew his temper from my past life. He hated it when women defied him. Any word of opposition was met with violence.

The room fell deathly silent. Amber was still gloating.

I secretly tightened my grip on a corkscrew from the table, preparing to fight back. Just then, a dark figure flashed by, and Casbin kicked Niccolo square in the stomach.

Niccolo let out a grunt and fell to the floor. Casbin stomped on the wrist holding the gun with such force that the bone made a sickening crunch.

I put down the corkscrew. Casbin strode back to my side, his voice icy, "I thought you were smart. You're as stupid as your sister. Pathetic. Someone puts a gun to your head and you just stand there?"

Playing my part, I let tears well in my eyes and collapsed into his arms. He was about to push me away, but Niccolo had already struggled to his feet, a murderous look in his eyes.

A group of bodyguards in black suits appeared from nowhere, instantly pinning Niccolo to the ground. Casbin glared down at him like he was something to be scraped off a shoe. "This is Valachi territory. If you think you can touch my woman in my territory, think again."

Then, he bent down and swept me up into his arms.

Amber stared at us as if she had seen a ghost. The sight was driving her mad. She roared, "You're carrying her? You can't carry her, Casbin!"

I shot Amber a triumphant look and rested my head against Casbin's hard chest.

...

The moment we were out of the club, he unceremoniously dumped me on the cold asphalt. The rough surface scraped against my skin. Pain shot from my tailbone all the way up my spine.

"Don't pull cheap tricks like that again. You're only confirming what I already think of you."

Then he got into his car, the roar of the engine like a beast's snarl, leaving me in a cloud of exhaust fumes.

I had a reason for not fighting back. I was betting on his principles, and I won.

In my past life, every time Amber was with my mother, she complained about Casbin. She cursed him with the most venomous words, calling him a heartless devil.

But I knew he wasn't. He just couldn't be bothered to waste a single second on people who didn't matter.

I returned to my studio in the West Side, my only sanctuary.

...

The next day, my mother called. She immediately launched into a tirade. "How dare you embarrass your sister at the club? The nerve! You troublemaker! You useless girl!"

I rubbed my temples. This wasn't the first time my mother had called me useless. She detested me, yet she needed me for this marriage alliance. All I had ever wanted was a little of her affection, a single smile.

All I got were scars.

"Are you done, Mom? Because I'm hanging up."

That stopped her cursing. She shrieked, "The Gallo family gave your sister a huge settlement and promised to support our family's business. What about Casbin?"

"I don't know."

"What? You useless girl! You can't let him marry you for free! Go and demand it from him now!"

I hung up the phone. Taking a deep breath, I headed to Casbin's office. When I barged in, he didn't even look up. "You have five minutes."

"Two questions. First, the settlement for my family. They need the money. How much are you offering? Second, what about the wedding?"

That finally got his attention. He looked up, a cold smile touching his lips. "The answer to both questions is the same. Nothing."

No settlement, no wedding. This man's blood ran colder than ice. I shrugged. "Fine."

I got up to leave, but he stopped me. "You don't seem angry."

I shook my head, as if his answer didn't affect me at all. "This is a business arrangement. Why would I expect anything more?"

"So, what is it you want from me?"

I answered honestly, "Status. The protection of the Valachi name. When they call me your wife, no one will dare touch my studio again."

"Good. As long as it's not something worthless like love, I can give it to you."