Chapter 2

Back then, Liam and I were close.

Silas noticed me, took an interest in me, and pursued me.

I remembered my grandmother telling me that Mafia families were complicated, so I didn’t want to get involved at first.

But gradually, I was moved by Silas’s sincerity.

Grandma told me to follow my heart.

So I started dating him.

But because of my background and the way I dressed, I was often judged.

Grandma wanted to earn more money to buy me nice clothes, so I could have some dignity.

She secretly applied for a higher-paying job.

Coincidentally, Serena had just bought that “million-dollar snake,” and Grandma was assigned to take care of it.

That winter—three years ago—

she was bitten while feeding the snake.

The venom spread quickly. She collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

But treatment came too late.

She was left paralyzed.

The hospital bills were enormous, so I went to Serena, asking for compensation.

She stood before me arrogantly and said:

“Vera, how dare you ask me for money? Don’t think I’ll tolerate you just because you’re Silas’s girlfriend.”

“My snake was stolen by the Gravoni family because your grandmother fainted and didn’t watch it properly. I should be asking you for money.”

“As for your grandmother—if she dies, she dies. My snake is worth a million. How much is your grandmother’s worthless life worth?”

I couldn’t hold back.

I really couldn’t.

I lunged at her, grabbed her hair, and slapped her hard.

Before she could even fight back, her bodyguards restrained me.

When Silas arrived, Serena was already crying pitifully.

Silas said he would exchange me for the snake.

At first, I refused.

My grandmother was still in the hospital—she needed me.

But he promised he would save her… and bring me back in time.

Even though I had doubts, I gave in.

While I was imprisoned, I heard that the Gravoni family never actually stole Serena’s snake—

that Silas and Serena had used me to trade for something else.

I didn’t believe it.

Not until one day, when a guard secretly handed me a letter.

Only then did I learn the truth—

and that it was even more cruel than I imagined.

“The snake was drugged by Serena—otherwise it wouldn’t have bitten anyone.

Your grandmother was murdered. After you were taken, they didn’t allow anyone near her ward.

They left her to die in the hospital. She passed away a few days ago.”

It was from Liam.

He must have paid a lot to bribe the guard.

He didn’t dare write much—just those few lines.

Serena didn’t like me.

Maybe because I was Silas’s girlfriend…

or because Liam had always cared about me.

I killed my grandmother.

If I had never gotten involved with them, Serena wouldn’t have harmed her.

The memories intensified my hatred.

I pushed Silas away as he clung to me, crying hypocritically.

Looking out at the endless sea, I didn’t know where I could go.

Grandma was dead.

I had no home to return to.

I could never go back to the Rusciano family and let them use me again.

But for now… I couldn’t escape either.

So I had no choice but to board the yacht with them.

As soon as I stepped on board, I noticed a little girl sitting there and found myself staring at her.

If my child had lived…

Maybe I stared too long.

The girl stood up and walked away.

I followed her with my eyes—

and saw her walk toward Silas and Serena.

I studied her face carefully.

She resembled both of them.

And her next words confirmed my suspicion:

“Daddy, Mommy… who is that lady? Why is she staring at me?”

So, in the three years I was gone—

they didn’t just get married.

They even had a child… one who looked no older than two or three.