I was stunned for a moment.

I was only sixteen when I received that ring.

The sun was shining beautifully that day. Lorenzo had come to find me in a mysterious mood and, as soon as we met, slipped the ring onto my finger.

The ring sparkled all over—it was made of blue diamonds.

I panicked and tried to take it off, but he grabbed my wrist firmly.

"This is the Cammarata family heirloom. Take it!"

The dappled shadows of the trees danced around us, his smile even more dazzling than the sunlight.

Later I found out that his mother had beaten him badly for stealing the ring.

But Lorenzo had declared righteously, "I'm never marrying anyone but Selena. Giving her the ring early or late doesn't matter!"

In the blink of an eye, I had worn that ring for seven full years.

It had slowly become a part of my life, just like Lorenzo himself.

Seeing that I remained silent for a long time, Lorenzo thought I was unwilling to give it up.

Just as he was about to speak, Lena, standing beside him, took his arm first and said softly, "Forget it. Selena has worn it for so long after all."

Lorenzo immediately retorted, "No matter how long she's worn it, it's still my family's possession! I told you I'd let you try it on, and I will."

So it was for Lena's sake that he had come to ask for it.

I understood. I reached out, took off the ring, and handed it over. "Here you go."

Lorenzo froze for a second, as if he hadn't expected me to be so straightforward. A flicker of surprise and uncertainty crossed his face.

I said indifferently, "You're right. It's your family's thing after all. Since I'm not marrying you, it really doesn't suit me to wear it anymore."

Now Lorenzo looked somewhat uncomfortable.

He took the ring and said, "Then… on our wedding day, I'll put it on you with my own hands, alright?"

Hearing this, Lena's eyes flashed with jealousy.

I watched Lorenzo prepare to leave with Lena, then called out to him.

"Lorenzo, now that I've returned your ring, what about the pocket watch I gave you?"

He stopped in his tracks and stared at me in disbelief.

"You want me to give back your token of love? Selena, are you saying you don't want to marry me anymore?"

At that moment, I nearly blurted out a retort—who was the one who didn't want to marry?

I took a few seconds to calm myself. I still wanted to preserve the last shred of my dignity—I didn't want to beg for his love like a scorned woman.

"I just think that watch doesn't suit you anymore," I explained casually.

He laughed, yanked the watch off, and tossed it to me.

"You're right. I've wanted to say that for a long time. That watch is tacky and old-fashioned. Who even wears a watch nowadays?"

"It's not nearly as useful as the cufflinks Lena gave me. Well, next time, remember to give me something better."

With that, he took Lena's hand and turned away.

I didn't chase after him.

I just gently ran my finger over the crack on the watch—a bullet mark.

Back then, after he received that watch, he treasured it dearly and always kept it over his heart.

Later, during a gang war, a bullet shot straight toward his chest. Everyone thought Lorenzo would at least be seriously wounded, if not killed.

But slowly, he pulled the still-warm watch from his chest.

That watch had stopped the bullet and saved his life.

Later, he knelt before me and said, "Selena, without you, I'd be dead. I will never, ever let you down!"

We were so close back then.

But now, even the way he addressed me had become distant.

"Miss Selena."

The maid's worried voice pulled me back from my memories.

I handed her the watch. "Sell it. Just make sure I never see it again."

After that day, Lorenzo never came to see me again.

And there were only four days left until Enzo's and my wedding.

That day, my mother took me to meet Lady Isabella. It was also the first time I saw Enzo.

Lady Isabella was very pleased with me and gave me many expensive gifts.

After the pleasantries were over, she said to Enzo, "Enzo, the camellias in the garden are in full bloom. Selena likes them. Why don't you take her out for a walk?"

I softly agreed and followed Enzo outside.

Contrary to the rumors, Enzo was neither a hideous beast nor a ruthless demon.

He was handsome, elegant, and a true gentleman.

In fact, he was so gentle and modest that he didn't seem like a Godfather at all.

We walked by the lake and talked about many things.

His gentle attentiveness gradually eased my nervous heart.

Suddenly, a rather sharp gaze fell upon me.

I turned around and saw Lorenzo, who had appeared at some point.

When he saw me looking back at him, he slowly walked over. "What are you doing with Enzo?"

Before I could explain, Enzo glanced at him and said coolly, "Do I need to report my affairs to you?"

His voice was a bit cold, nothing like the soft tone he had used with me just moments ago.

With just that one sentence, Lorenzo's expression changed.

Lorenzo became much more respectful. "Uncle, I still have a few words with Selena. Could I…?"

Enzo's gaze fell on me. After a moment's hesitation, I nodded.

He stepped back a few meters, leaving us alone.

Lorenzo frowned, looking somewhat displeased, then turned his attention to me.

"Selena, why did you sell the pocket watch?"

That day, I had told the maid to sell it.

Somehow, after all that, it had ended up back in Lorenzo's hands. (Later I learned that the maid had sold it to a market vendor, and Lorenzo's assistant had happened to spot it there.)

"I sold it. It was broken," I explained casually.

Lorenzo looked a little dejected, but still said stubbornly, "Fine, then. Next time you have to give me something better."

"But I was just joking that day. I can't believe you actually sold it. You really do whatever I say, don't you?"

"So if I told you to let Lena be my wife and you could only be my mistress, would you agree to that, too?"

Never in a million years.

I looked at his confident face and didn't bother to argue.

I only said coldly, "I'm going back. There's still a lot to prepare for the wedding."

"Wait!" He blocked my way. "Postpone the wedding. I'm taking Lena hunting in the countryside tomorrow."

Lena again.

I was about to respond when a clear female voice interrupted. "Lorenzo!"

Lena threw herself into his arms.

Lorenzo caught her instinctively. Lena wrapped her arms around his waist and said cheerfully, "I've packed everything."

Then, as if she had just noticed me, she let go in a fluster and fiddled with the ring on her finger, saying:

"Selena, don't misunderstand. I was just—"

"She's not the type to mind such things."

Lorenzo ruffled Lena's hair. "She knows I think of you as a sister. She won't get jealous over that."

Lena's breath caught.

She bit her lip and forced a smile. "Selena is so magnanimous. If someone truly loved a person, this would definitely make them jealous."

Lorenzo was taken aback. He looked at my calm, expressionless face and finally grew a little uneasy.

"Selena, you—"

I ignored him and turned to leave. "I'm going back."

He hesitated, then quickly nodded. "Yes, yes. Go prepare for the wedding. Once you marry me, I'll treat you well."

Marry him?

Never in this lifetime… or any lifetime. Absolutely impossible.

The wedding day arrived as scheduled.

Through my veil, I gave Enzo a small smile.

Enzo's warm, strong hands held me as he slowly helped me out of the car.

Inside the church, the organ music began to play.

The priest stood before the altar and recited the solemn vows in a deep voice.

I was just about to say "I do" when I suddenly heard a commotion outside the church.

"Let me in! I'm the groom! Selena, what the hell is going on?"

A figure burst in—it was Lorenzo, who had taken Lena to the countryside.