Chapter 2

(Valeria’s POV)

"Are you sure, Signorina? Changing the bride's name this close to the ceremony..." the family event coordinator said carefully. "I've organized weddings for some of the most powerful mafia families in the country, but I've never handled anything like this."

"I'm sure."

There wasn't a moment of hesitation in my voice.

"Everything else stays exactly the same. The guest list, the schedule, the Romano estate, the ceremony. Just replace the bride's name with Luciana Costa."

The woman fell silent.

A few seconds later, she finally agreed.

Before ending the call, I added one final instruction.

"Don't tell Matteo or Luciana. Not until the wedding day."

The next morning, I walked into the Romano Family's corporate headquarters and submitted my resignation from my position.

My departure abroad was already decided. There was no reason to stay.

I had barely left the office when my phone vibrated.

A message from Matteo appeared.

[I'm outside.]

I stared at the screen for a moment before heading downstairs.

Matteo was waiting beside his black luxury car, and when he saw me, he walked over with a paper bag in his hand.

The faint smell of alcohol still clung to him, making my stomach turn.

I didn't take the bag. I already knew what was inside: warm ginger tea, painkillers, and heat patches. Every month, around the same time, Matteo prepared them without fail.

To anyone else, he might have looked like the perfect fiancé. But I knew the truth.

None of those things were meant for me.

Sure enough, Matteo spoke, "Luciana drank too much whiskey with the capos last night. Her cycle should be starting today, so she'll probably feel awful."

He held the bag toward me.

"Can you bring this to her? You two work on the same floor anyway. It'll save me the trip."

I remained silent.

Matteo reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a half-empty packet of painkillers.

"I figured your cycle is coming soon too."

He casually handed it over.

"You left these in my car."

Then he nodded toward the building.

"Go on. Luciana's waiting."

I lowered my eyes to the large paper bag and the nearly empty packet of medicine inside. The sight felt almost ridiculous.

The painkillers were mine. I had bought them myself last month after cramps so painful that I could barely stand.

Meanwhile, Luciana had been sitting comfortably in Matteo's office, drinking the hot tea he personally prepared while receiving a massage technique he had spent weeks learning just for her.

As for me?

When I nearly collapsed from the pain, all Matteo had said was, "Drink more warm water."

Why hadn't I been angry before?

Perhaps I had been. I had simply grown used to swallowing every disappointment, breaking it apart, hiding it away, and pretending it never hurt.

But this time, I didn't want to do that anymore.

I took a step back and met his eyes. Mine were cold and calm.

"From now on, if you want to send something to Luciana, contact her yourself. I have work to do."

Matteo looked genuinely surprised.

Perhaps he wasn't used to me speaking to him like that.

By the time he recovered, I had already walked away without looking back.

***

When I returned to the office, the paper bag had somehow arrived upstairs before I did.

Luciana was already opening it at her desk.

Several coworkers quickly gathered around her, eyeing the gift with amused smiles.

“Another gift from your man?”

“Seriously, every month without fail. You’re living the dream, Luciana.”

Luciana immediately waved her hands, her face turning red. “No, no. He’s not my boyfriend.”

She glanced at me, and when I showed no reaction, she quickly added, “He’s just... a really close friend.”

I didn't bother looking up. Instead, I continued working on project documents on my computer.

A few moments later, Luciana leaned over my desk.

"Valeria, want to go out tonight?"

I kept typing.

She smiled.

"In a few days, you'll officially become the wife of the Romano Underboss. We should celebrate while you're still single."

I was about to refuse. But before I could speak, Luciana suddenly clapped her hands.

"Tonight's on me!"

She looked around the office.

"Bachelorette party for Valeria! Anyone who wants to come, raise your hand!"

The room instantly exploded with excitement. Several people volunteered immediately.

With everyone already making plans, there was no space left for me to refuse.

After the guest list was settled, Luciana leaned toward me again. This time her voice became much softer.

"Valeria, can you add my name to the new syndicate development project?"

My fingers paused above the keyboard.

Luciana continued speaking sweetly.

"I'm throwing you a party and everything."

She smiled.

"I'm only one successful project away from earning my promotion. You're my best friend, so you'll help me, right?"

I stared at her quietly.

This wasn't the first time Luciana had done this. For years, every major Romano family operation followed the same pattern.

She was never there when negotiations with other families became difficult, when capos had problems to settle, or when we had to work late at the Romano headquarters. She never joined the important meetings or helped deal with problems.

But once an operation was finished and the Romano family was ready to enjoy the results, Luciana would appear and ask me to add her name to the report.

I had agreed every time. She always received the praise, rewards, and recognition while doing almost none of the work.

But this time was different. I wasn't willing to be generous anymore.

I slowly looked at her. My face remained expressionless.

"There's only one available position left. Are you sure you want it?"

Luciana laughed. Completely carefree.

"Of course I do." She grinned. "You're the best, Valeria."

I nodded and added her name to the Romano family’s project roster.

Right beneath the title, I entered: Deputy Project Leader.

Luciana didn't even bother to check the details. She had already turned away and started chatting with the other associates.

I simply watched her. After all, she had accepted the position herself.

Once I left the Romano organization, the final operation briefing and report to the syndicate’s senior capos would fall entirely on the Deputy Project Leader.

I couldn't help wondering how someone who had never attended a single meeting would explain the entire operation to a room filled with Romano executives, senior capos, and family leaders.