Chapter 1

I was born seven minutes before my twin sister, but in the Santoro family, those seven minutes meant nothing.

For most of my life, I was raised to become the next heir of the Santoro Mafia Family. I learned the family business, managed its legitimate empire, and helped secure our alliances. Even my engagement to Matteo Bellucci, the heir of another powerful Mafia family, was part of the future my father had planned for me.

But on the night of our family's fortieth anniversary, everything changed.

At the Principessa induction ceremony, my father placed the priceless sapphire crown on my sister Natalia's head and announced her as the future of the Santoro family.

My mother handed her the family heirloom that had belonged to our grandmother. My fiancé stood beside her, holding her hand.

Then came the family portrait.

There was a place for my parents, my sister, my fiancé, and every family member who mattered.

There was no place for me.

"You're the older one, Giulia. You should be happy for your sister," my father said.

So I smiled, took off my family ring, and walked away.

They thought I would come crawling back within days.

They were wrong, I wasn't coming back.

...

I was born seven minutes before my twin sister, Natalia. For twenty-nine years, those seven minutes had meant one thing in the Santoro family: I was always expected to give in first.

Tonight was the Santoro Family's fortieth-anniversary celebration, and my father was also holding a ceremony to announce the next Principessa.

I'd spent weeks preparing for it. The previous morning, I'd even gotten up at three to bake Matteo's favorite chestnut cake, which I'd delivered to the estate kitchen before the portrait session. I planned to take it to the anniversary banquet at the hotel later that evening.

Yet I'd been left outside the Council Chamber for forty minutes while my parents and fiancé attended to Natalia.

When the doors finally opened, I saw my mother adjusting my sister's hair, my father checking the lighting, and Matteo Bellucci standing behind Natalia with one hand resting on her shoulder.

My sister was wearing my ivory engagement gown.

The photographer smiled at my parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Santoro, your family looks wonderful together."

Nobody corrected him.

My parents sat in the center. Natalia stood beside Mother, and Matteo remained at her side. The photographer's assistant pointed me toward a folding chair beside the lighting equipment.

"Is that where I'm supposed to sit?"

Mother barely looked up. "Don't start, Giulia. Natalia is nervous. Let her enjoy tonight."

"That's my engagement dress."

"It's just a dress," Mother replied. "Your sister has spent her whole life being compared to you. Can't you let her have one evening?"

I looked at Matteo. "You knew it was mine."

He glanced at Natalia before answering. "It's one evening. Don't embarrass her in front of everyone."

Natalia lowered her eyes. "I can change, Giulia. I don't want you to be upset because of me."

Mother immediately pulled her closer.

I had heard this conversation in different forms since childhood. Whenever Natalia wanted something, I was expected to share. Whenever she cried, I was expected to apologize.

I looked at the hand Matteo still had on her shoulder.

"Don't you think that looks inappropriate?"

He laughed coldly.

"Natalia and I dated before you and I got engaged. If I couldn't move on, do you think I'd have chosen you?"

The room fell silent.

Mother actually smiled.

"He's right, Giulia. You're lucky to marry Matteo. Stop making everything difficult."

I looked at the four of them.

The photographer raised his camera again.

"Miss Santoro, could you step aside? You're blocking your sister's dress."

I moved back.

One step.

Then another.

Until I was completely outside the frame.

"That's better," the photographer said.

Before the shutter clicked, I turned and walked away.

Nobody followed.

Five minutes later, Matteo called.

"Where did you go? Remember to take the chestnut cake to the hotel tonight. Natalia wants some."

I stopped outside the Council Chamber.

"I've canceled the remaining photography, the anniversary banquet, and the commemorative film."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he snapped. "All this because you didn't get to stand in the middle?"

Father's voice came from somewhere beside him.

"Let her cancel. Let's see what she can do without the Santoro family."

Mother laughed.

"She'll come crawling back in two days."

Natalia spoke softly in the background.

"She's only afraid I'll take something that belongs to her."

Matteo immediately comforted her.

"You haven't taken anything. People can only give you what they want you to have."

I ended the call and contacted my lawyer.

The estate where my parents lived was registered in my name. So was the commercial building housing Matteo’s company.

The core security system used by Santoro Holdings was protected by patents I owned, though I had allowed the family to use it without charge.

“Prepare the property notices,” I told my lawyer. “Send Matteo the repayment demand for his outstanding loan. And give Santoro Holdings seven days to negotiate a proper license for my technology. The free authorization ends now.”

My lawyer paused. “Are you certain?”

I looked at the ring in my palm.

“For the first time, yes.”

That evening, I submitted my acceptance of an overseas executive position.

My family had given Natalia my crown, my fiancé, and my place in their portrait.

They could keep them.

I was taking back everything that belonged to me.