Part 3The Mafia Don Fell for My Sister, so I Left Him

The next morning, I had the servants bring breakfast to my room. I ate alone before going to the study.

Lucia was flitting around Salvatore with an armful of lilies, chatting and laughing.

Salvatore wore a doting smile, humming a response now and then.

Both smiles vanished the moment they saw me.

Salvatore said coolly, "Since you're here, let's begin."

I swallowed the ache and took a seat off to the side.

"The Romano Family is extremely complicated. If you want to manage its affairs, you need to start by learning who's who."

After I finished, Lucia pulled a pained expression. "Learning faces? How boring. Isn't there anything more interesting?"

I explained, "Managing a family's affairs isn't a game. Of course it's tedious."

Salvatore looked up from an intelligence report. "Lucia is just getting started. Don't be so hard on her."

I opened my mouth to protest. When I first started, this was exactly where I had begun.

Lucia nodded eagerly. "Exactly."

She bounced behind Salvatore's chair and draped herself over the back of it. "Bianca's lessons are so boring. Teach me instead?"

I tried to intervene. "He has too much on his plate..."

"All right. Whatever you want."

Salvatore set down the report and gave Lucia's chin an affectionate pinch.

Lucia threw her arms around him. "You're the best!"

"Why don't we hold a banquet? I'll introduce you to everyone personally. That way you'll remember all their faces."

My gaze dropped as the ache in my chest spread.

For three years, I hadn't allowed myself a moment's rest, determined to become a worthy Donna of the Family.

Salvatore had said, "Don't disappoint me."

So I never dared bother him with Family matters, forcing myself to figure everything out on my own through sheer trial and error.

And now Lucia was only learning to recognize the members, and Salvatore was ready to throw her an entire banquet.

Lucia said, "Then let me take charge of this banquet. Bianca can assist me."

Before I could respond, Salvatore had already agreed.

Salvatore looked at me. "I trust your abilities. This time, just support Lucia."

My voice came out hoarse. "Fine."

So no matter how capable I was, I would never be the Donna he truly wanted.

And some people only had to stand there to meet every one of his expectations.

I lowered my head. When I looked up again, the last thread of attachment I felt for Salvatore was gone.

Salvatore met my gaze and faltered for a moment.

I looked away.

He said, "If anything comes up, you can always come to me."

When he finished, I made an excuse about being tired and went back to my room.

I dialed an unfamiliar number.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Bianca?"

Dante Falcone's voice was tight with urgency. "Is that you?"

"It's me, Dante. I need your help."

Dante and I had grown up together. Our families had arranged our marriage long ago.

But I'd chosen Salvatore instead. Guilt toward Dante had kept me from reaching out for three years.

Dante paused. After a brief, disappointed silence, he said, "Whatever you want, I'm in."

I exhaled, then spoke slowly and firmly.

"I want to leave. Start over in another country."

Dante agreed without hesitation, almost eagerly. "Done. Three days from now, I'll create a diversion and take you with me."

"Leave?"

I jumped when Salvatore suddenly appeared behind me.