I had been secretly dating my brother's best friend, Nico Gallo, for three years, but he would never make our relationship public.

Despite this, I never doubted his love for me. After all, I was the woman who made him stop dating, the one who broke his streak. Ninety-nine others came before me; after me, there were none. If I so much as sneezed, he’d drop everything—his family’s multi-million-dollar empire included—just to rush home and care for me.

But on my birthday, just as I was excitedly preparing to share the news of my pregnancy with Nico, he forgot. For the first time, he forgot my birthday and vanished without a trace. The housekeeper told me he’d gone to the airport to pick up someone important.

I rushed there and saw him, clutching a bouquet, his face a mask of nervous anticipation as he waited for a woman—a woman who bore a startling resemblance to me.

Later, my brother told me she was Nico’s first love, the one that got away. Nico had once defied his own father, the formidable Don Gallo, for her. After she dumped him, he shattered completely. That's when he started cycling through ninety-nine other women, each one a pale imitation of his lost love, a desperate attempt to fill the chasm she left behind.

My brother spoke of Nico's profound affection with a tone of admiration, never suspecting that I was just one of those substitutes.

I watched Nico and his first love for a long, silent moment. Then, without a second of hesitation, I returned to the hospital. "Doctor," I managed, my voice trembling, "I… I don't want this baby anymore."

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1

"What?" The doctor stared at me, his voice sharp in the sterile examination room. "Miss Ricci, you want to terminate? This morning, you were so excited to tell your boyfriend."

I lowered my head, my knuckles white as I gripped the hem of my dress. I choked out, "Please, don't ask. I just… I don't want this baby anymore."

The doctor watched me for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. "Miss Ricci, I don't know what's happened, but you're clearly distressed. Perhaps you should take some time to calm down and reconsider."

He pushed the abortion consent form back toward me, his gaze softening as it fell to the ultrasound photo clipped to it. "This is a life, Miss Ricci."

My eyes, stinging with unshed tears, fixed on the small, dark shadow on the report. After a long while, I shoved the form into my bag and fled the hospital.

I was wandering home in a daze when a red Ferrari screeched to a halt beside me. A pair of exquisite crocodile leather shoes splashed into a puddle before a handsome, worried face appeared in front of me. It was Nico Gallo, rushing toward me with an umbrella held high.

He swept me into his arms, shrugging off his suit jacket and wrapping it around my shoulders. "Why are you out here without an umbrella? You're not a child. You’ve always been so delicate—what if you catch a chill?"

I looked up at his chiseled profile, seeing the genuine anxiety etched there. For a second, I felt like I was back at the beginning of our relationship, when he treated me like a rare and precious treasure, just like now.

But I knew we could never go back.

My gaze fell to his navy blue suit. It was custom-made a month ago for my birthday party. He was wearing it on my birthday, but not for me.

This afternoon, while getting ready for my party, I’d been struck by a sudden wave of nausea. I thought it was just my old stomach issues flaring up, but the doctor delivered the news: I was pregnant.

Discovering a new life growing inside me on my birthday felt like a gift from the heavens. But when I rushed home to share the incredible news with Nico, he was gone.

The housekeeper, Laura, noticed my crestfallen expression. "Mr. Gallo said he was going to the airport to pick up someone important. He also mentioned that if you got hungry, you should eat first and not wait for him."

Today was my birthday. He had promised me a grand celebration. And he was telling me not to wait for him?

Swallowing my anger, I asked Laura, "Who is this important person?"

She hesitated, then stammered, "I-I'm not sure. I only know that Mr. Gallo seemed ecstatic when he left. He spent ages in front of the mirror."

For some reason, that answer sent a chill down my spine.

After a moment's hesitation, I had the driver take me to the airport. The terminal was teeming with people, but Nico was always easy to find. Tall and handsome, he was a natural center of attention.

Sure enough, I spotted him in the crowd. But I didn't approach, because standing right beside him was my brother, Marco Ricci.

Nico clutched a bouquet, his eyes glued to the arrivals gate. His lips were pressed into a thin, tight line. He looked nervous.

I’d never seen him like this. Not even when we were nearly caught by Marco, not even then had Nico lost his cool composure.

Who on earth could reduce him to this state?

I followed his gaze to the gate. And then, a stunning woman walked out.

Nico immediately waved. "Alessia!"

She slid off her sunglasses and strode toward them, but she didn't take the flowers. Instead, she completely ignored Nico and looped her arm through Marco's.

In that instant, I saw a flash of raw jealousy in Nico's eyes.

Though Nico had a reputation as a playboy, he never took those women seriously. They were dalliances. He couldn't be bothered to soothe them when they were upset, let alone feel a sting of jealousy over them.

I couldn't help but stare at the woman. Alessia... Alessia?

And then it hit me.

Though I grew up abroad, my brother, Marco, who ran our family's affairs in the States, often told me stories about his childhood. He had two inseparable companions: one was Nico, the other was Alessia. They were Jeston's golden trio.

But from what I was seeing, Nico's feelings for her were anything but simple friendship.

Curiosity gnawed at me. When Marco went to fetch Alessia’s luggage, I called him. "Marco, I heard from Mr. Gallo that Alessia is back. What's the story with them? He seemed so excited he even canceled an important family meeting."

Marco paused, then laughed. "He told you that? Wow, he must be thrilled. He and Alessia were together for years. My god, Scarlett, they were insanely in love. At the peak of it, Alessia decided to leave the country, and he just fell apart."

"He might seem cold and distant now, but back then, he was a wreck, always at my door, crying and falling to pieces. He even talked about ending it all. In the end, that's when he started finding all those substitutes..."

"Substitutes?" My hand clenched around the phone, trembling.

"Yeah," Marco confirmed. "You probably haven't met Alessia yet, but when you do, you'll see it. All the women Nico's dated look just like her. Hey, come to think of it, you have a bit of a resemblance too. Of course, you're prettier..."

I didn't hear the rest. A buzzing filled my ears, my body growing colder with every word he spoke. I stared blankly at the gorgeous woman across the terminal.

I had already met her.

"Scarlett? You still there? Why are you asking about this, anyway?" Marco's voice crackled on the line, but I had no strength left to answer.

I said softly, "Just concerned about my boss. It’s only right. Oh, and don't tell Mr. Gallo I asked you about this."

After he agreed, I hung up. As the screen went dark, I saw my own hollow reflection. I looked up at Alessia again.

Did we really look alike? A bitter smile touched my lips. I didn't need a mirror. I knew the dimples at the corners of my mouth were identical to hers. Yes. We looked alike.

I don't remember how I left the airport. I only remember the sky opening up, unleashing a torrential downpour.

Back home, Nico toweled my hair dry, then made me hot soup and fed it to me, spoonful by spoonful.

He stroked my hair. "You'll never guess, baby. I almost got caught today. Marco said he has a friend he wants to set you up with. He actually wanted to introduce you. I lost it. I shot up and objected. God, you should have seen his face."

I smiled, a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "And? Did he find out?"

"Of course not. He's so dense—he'd never guess his best friend is dating his sister. If he found out, do you think I'd have made it back in one piece?"

Hearing his lighthearted tone, I reached up and stilled his hand. I asked seriously, "Nico, do you really see me as your girlfriend?"

He was taken aback. Then he smiled, squatting in front of me and pinching my cheek affectionately.

"If you weren't," he asked softly, "why would I lose my temper when Marco talked about introducing you to someone?"

At the mere thought of this man we hadn't even met, his expression darkened. He pulled me into a fierce embrace, his lips brushing against my neck. "The thought of you with another man—even just sharing a meal—it would kill me."

His warm breath on my skin made my body go weak. Just as I was about to surrender, I pushed him away. "I'm tired, Nico."

Nico hesitated, then, assuming I'd caught a chill in the rain, he swept me into his arms and carried me to bed.

Thinking I was asleep, he gently touched my forehead, checking for a fever before quietly leaving the room.

As the door clicked shut, I slowly opened my eyes. I rolled over, burying my face in the covers, and cried until I couldn't breathe.

Girlfriend? I was just a substitute. A stand-in for Alessia.

I remembered all the times Nico told me he loved my smile, how he always wanted me to smile more. The memory made my stomach churn.

Tears blurred my vision as my temperature began to rise. As my mind grew hazy, a memory from the past surfaced.

When I was eighteen, Marco brought Nico with him to pick me up from the airport. The moment I saw the tall, devastatingly handsome man, I was completely smitten.

Later, I gave up the comfortable life of a Principessa and had Marco arrange an internship for me at Nico's family company.

At first, Nico and I barely interacted. He was always busy with family business or tearing up the racetrack, a different woman in his passenger seat each time.

Once, at a tense dinner with a rival family, an opponent drugged him. Realizing something was wrong, he stumbled toward the restrooms.

Worried, I followed, but I lost him in the crowded hall. Just as I was stamping my foot in frustration, a large hand shot out and pulled me into a dark storage room.

I screamed, struggling until the unique, herbal scent of his cologne filled my senses and I calmed down.

His breathing was shallow. The top three buttons of his shirt were undone, a flush spreading across his chest from the drug. He looked sinfully sexy.

I couldn't help but swallow, and he saw it.

He let out a low chuckle, his fingers tipping my chin up. His voice was a husky, lazy drawl. "Enjoying the view?"

I pushed him away, my face burning with embarrassment. "N-no..."

He pulled me back into his arms, pressing my hand against his hammering heart. He frowned, a look of genuine discomfort on his face. "If you like me, then help me..."

Before I could answer, Nico bent down and kissed me. My eyes widened in shock, and then I slowly melted into the dominant, yet restrained, kiss.

The next thing I knew, I was waking up beside him, the sheets tangled around us. He was propped up on one elbow, gazing down at me. The drug had worn off, but a raw desire still burned in his eyes.

That day, he told me, "I'll do right by you."

And he did. He stopped fooling around and dated only me. In return, I turned down countless marriage proposals from other families to stay at his company, to stay by his side.

Whenever Marco saw me buried in work while other Principesse were partying overseas, he’d ask what was so fascinating about the Gallo family business that I couldn't tear myself away.

Countless times, I wanted to tell him the truth about Nico and me. But Nico, who indulged my every other whim, was adamant that we keep it a secret.

I'd thought it was because he was afraid of Marco's wrath. But now I knew the real reason.

Marco had witnessed Nico’s all-consuming love for Alessia, had seen him threaten suicide for her. How could he ever entrust his sister to a man like that?

And how could Nico ever dare to let Marco find out?

Well, Nico didn't have to worry anymore. We were finished.

Now that Alessia was back, I would give him back to her. As for the time we shared, the love I felt… just as I chose to embrace this love back then, I could choose to release it now.

I woke up late the next afternoon, my body aching from a night spent battling a fever. My head throbbed, and my throat was too raw to speak.

I checked my phone and saw dozens of unread messages.

"Happy birthday, Scarlett! I got you a yacht—we'll take it for a spin soon!"

"My dearest daughter, your father insisted on flying back to celebrate with you. Honestly, that man..."

"Happy 25th birthday, Scarlett! Love you forever!"

The screen was a flood of birthday wishes from my parents, Marco, friends, and classmates. They all sent their love.

But from Nico, the man who slept beside me every night, there was not a single message.

I sighed. My head was swimming, but I vaguely remembered waking in the night, asking Nico for a glass of water.

He'd been on the balcony, on a call. After hanging up, he’d left in a hurry and never returned.

I dragged my exhausted body out of bed, the fever making me unsteady.

Just then, the door opened. Nico was back. He was juggling a mountain of gift bags, each one exquisitely wrapped and clearly expensive.

He noticed my gaze and rushed over. "Finally awake, sleepyhead?"

I turned my head, avoiding his outstretched hand. My eyes fell to the gifts. "You missed my birthday, Nico," I said softly.

He froze, his hand hovering in mid-air before slowly dropping to his side. He glanced at the calendar on the wall, then quickly set down the gifts and took my hand, his voice laced with guilt. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I was buried in family business yesterday. Let me make it up to you today, okay?"

"No need. You missed it. It's over." I rejected his offer without a flicker of hesitation.

Nico watched me stumble back into the bedroom, the guilt in his eyes deepening.

I sat in the bedroom, my head growing heavier and dizzier. Half an hour later, I emerged to find Nico gone.

Laura saw my questioning look and explained, "Mr. Gallo went out to buy you a birthday present, Miss Ricci. Please don't be angry with him. He truly had important business yesterday."

I hesitated, my gaze landing on the pile of gift bags on the table. "He bought these for me?"

Laura followed my gaze and quickly moved the bags into a cabinet, as if afraid I'd touch them. "Oh no, Miss Ricci. These are for Mr. Gallo's important guest. He gave strict orders that no one is to touch them."

Important guest?

When I saw the cosmetics and designer handbags, I understood. For Nico, besides his parents, the most important person in the world was Alessia. In fact, he had once fought Don Gallo to the point of disownment over her. She was more important than anyone.

So, he hadn't just forgotten my birthday. It hadn't even crossed his mind. He could have used these gifts to placate me, lied and said he got the date wrong. But he didn't. Anything intended for Alessia was sacred.

Alessia was back, and I had already lost. Utterly. I couldn't imagine how many more ways Nico would make me lose in the days to come.

...

When Nico returned with a fresh bouquet, I was lying in bed, scrolling aimlessly through my phone.

Sensing my sullen mood, he sat on the edge of the bed and ruffled my hair. "Baby, don't be mad. I bought you so many things. If you're still angry, go ahead and slap me."

As he spoke, he took my hand and pressed it to his cheek.

Seeing him so humbled, my heart ached with a fresh wave of pain. He was not a patient man. I’d seen other women throw tantrums at him; he never placated them, just dumped them and moved on.

But with me, he was endlessly patient, even begging for forgiveness like this.

I couldn't tell if it was because he loved me, or because I was just the substitute who resembled her most.

At that thought, I turned to look at him, raised my hand, and slapped him across the face.

Nico froze, clearly not expecting me to actually do it. But he didn't seem to mind, assuming it was just my anger boiling over. A red handprint blooming on his cheek, he quickly turned to retrieve a gift box.

Inside was a necklace, a new piece from my favorite designer released two weeks ago. I had wanted it desperately but couldn't get it.

I hadn't expected him to acquire it in just half an hour. It must have cost him a fortune.

Suddenly, I couldn't understand him at all. He was still so good to me, good enough to be the envy of anyone who saw us.

The only flaw in the picture was that I would always, always come second to Alessia.

Nico saw my stunned expression and smiled faintly. He pushed my hair aside, intending to put the necklace on me. But as his fingers brushed my neck, his expression turned serious. "Why are you so hot?"

He’d finally noticed. My fever. Without another word, he swept me into his arms and rushed for the door.

Before leaving, he turned on the maids, his voice a low growl. "Did none of you notice the Principessa has a fever? You're all fired."

Then, he sped me to the hospital, blowing through a dozen red lights on the way.

At the hospital, the admitting doctor asked about our relationship.

"He's my brother."

"I'm her boyfriend."

We spoke at the same time.

The doctor gave us a confused look, and Nico repeated firmly, "I'm her boyfriend."

I stared at him, bewildered. He never admitted to our relationship in public. Even to strangers, he'd call me his sister. Over time, I'd just gotten used to it.

I never expected him to openly claim me now, all out of guilt.

I watched the IV drip, each drop a slow, mocking reminder.

A passing nurse couldn't help but comment, "You got her here just in time. Any later, and the baby might have—"

I coughed violently, cutting her off. Nico turned to get me some water. In that brief moment, I shook my head at the nurse, pleading with my eyes. I had already decided to end things. He couldn't know about the baby.

Fortunately, he didn't seem to notice. He helped me sit up and held the cup to my lips.

Just then, Marco burst through the door, his face a mask of panic. "Scarlett, why didn't you tell me you were—"

He stopped short when he saw Nico. Nico, recovering first, calmly placed the water glass back on the table.

"Why are you here?" Marco demanded.

"Scarlett collapsed from exhaustion at the company. I saw her and brought her here," Nico lied seamlessly. But then his eyes darted to the hallway, and his expression shifted the moment he saw Alessia standing outside the room.

Carrying a fruit basket, she sauntered in, her head held high. "I was catching up with Marco at a café when he heard his sister was sick. He was so worried he nearly forgot to pay the bill, so I offered to come with him. Nico, you don't look very happy to see me," she purred, her smile like a blade.

Nico's face darkened. When his eyes met hers, I saw an emotion I couldn't decipher.

Then, I understood. It was anger—an anger born from her indifference, an anger I had never seen in him before.

As the tension thickened, I pushed myself out of bed and extended a hand to her. "Hello, I'm Scarlett Ricci."

She looked me up and down, a slow, appraising glance. Then, her eyes widened in faux realization. She smiled faintly and shook my hand. "Hello, I'm Alessia. A friend of Marco's."

Nico tensed at her words, his fists clenching at his sides. I forced a smile, a bitter taste filling my mouth.

Suddenly, Alessia gasped, covering her mouth with a theatrical flair. "What a coincidence, Scarlett. You have dimples too! You have such a beautiful smile. You look a little bit like me."

Nico's posture grew even more rigid. I kept my smile in place. "Really? Then it must be fate that brought us together."

Marco, hearing this, laughed. "Alessia," he chuckled, "after all these years, you're still as subtle as a sledgehammer when you want to get close to someone."

She gave his arm a playful shove, their easy intimacy on full display.

Nico stood by like a sullen outsider. His eyes narrowed—a sure sign he was furious.

He turned to Marco. "Since you're here, I'll leave Scarlett in your care. I'm leaving."

But Marco stopped him, holding out a set of car keys. "Perfect. Why don't you drive Alessia home?"

Nico stared at the keys, motionless. Finally, Alessia pushed Marco's hand away. "Don't trouble him. I can get home myself."

With that, she said a brief goodbye to Marco and offered me a considerate "get well soon." Then, she turned and hurried away.

Nico's gaze followed her every step.

Marco looked at him, exasperated, and sighed loudly. "Christ, I hand you an opportunity on a silver platter and you just stand there. Aren't you going after her? Do you really want to lose her all over again?"

At that, Nico instinctively glanced at me, his expression hardening. He snapped, "Did you drink too much coffee? What nonsense are you spouting?"

Marco froze, baffled by Nico's sudden rage. He rolled his eyes, pushed past him, and dangled the car keys. "Fine. If you won't drive her, I can't just let Alessia go home alone."

Soon, only Nico and I remained in the silent room.

My calm demeanor seemed to unnerve him. He opened his mouth, as if to explain, but a nurse entered to announce I needed more tests.

Nico just nodded, gently helping me up and telling the nurse to be careful. He was as considerate as ever, but his mind was clearly a million miles away.

As I followed the nurse down the hall, I spotted two familiar figures in the adjacent corridor. Marco was leaning against a railing. "From the way you acted just now, it seems you're really not interested in getting back with Nico."

Alessia lit a cigarette, exhaled a lazy plume of smoke, and sneered. "Get back with him? Over my dead body."

As the words left her mouth, I saw Nico standing stiffly at the far end of the hall. He was staring at Alessia, as if they were the only two people in the world.

Marco stubbed out his cigarette and patted Alessia's shoulder. "Well, this ought to be a show. You two talk it out. I'll be in the parking lot."

But after Marco left, Alessia and Nico weren't just talking. They were arguing. Though I couldn't hear their words, Nico's agitated gestures told me it was intense.

I stood across the way, a tangle of emotions coiling in my gut. It was the first time I'd ever seen him lose his composure.

He was always cool during high-stakes family negotiations, always calm during life-threatening car races. But now, a single sentence from Alessia had made him completely unravel.

I couldn't watch anymore. I turned and followed the nurse.

When I came out from my tests, I heard Marco's voice again. "Alessia, if I'm not mistaken, you came back for him. You obviously still have feelings, so why say something like that? Aren't you afraid he'll get angry and actually give up?"

She laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Him? Give up on me? From day one, I've always held the power to walk away. You don't know Nico, Marco. He's the type who needs a firm hand, not a soft touch."

"If we don't fight, how will he remember the pain of our breakup? Pain sharpens the memory. It makes the love feel real. I need him to feel that ache again, to remember what it was like to be utterly obsessed with me."

"Obsessed with you?" Marco scoffed, pulling out his phone and scrolling through photos. "Look at this. Nico never forgot. Sure, he dated a lot of women, but every single one of them was a carbon copy of you."

"It was all just for show, too. The moment he heard you were coming back, he dumped them all. I never realized how devoted he was..."

Alessia glanced at the photos, then looked up, her tone laced with a deeper meaning. "Dumped them all? I wouldn't be so sure."

Marco frowned. "Impossible. He's head over heels for you."

She just smiled, a secret curve of her lips. "He loves me, but it's not enough. Not nearly enough. If he was so devoted back then, why did I leave?"

"Everyone thought I left for my career. The truth is, his parents forced me out after my family went bankrupt."

"They wouldn't let him be with me, let alone marry me. That's why I have to play these games, to make sure his heart is mine and mine alone. Only then will he find the courage to defy them."

Seeing Marco's shocked expression, she patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. We may have fought, but all it takes is a little coaxing, and he'll come running back."

With that, she and Marco headed downstairs. As she left, she glanced up, right at me. I didn't miss the glint of provocation in her eyes.