Chapter 2
By seven o'clock Saturday evening, the mansion was filled with over a dozen people. A traditional Italian family gathering - men in tailored suits discussing business, women dripping in jewels exchanging gossip.
"Mrs. Santangelo, this champagne is fantastic." Marco's cousin Tony raised his glass to me.
I smiled back, even though we'd never married. In this circle, I was Marco's woman, the lady of this house.
While I was checking the appetizers in the kitchen, I heard a car engine outside.
I walked to the window and saw a black Maserati slowly pulling into the driveway. The door opened, and a woman stepped out.
Even from behind, I could tell she was extraordinary. The haute couture dress perfectly hugged her tall figure, each step radiating aristocratic elegance. She turned around, moonlight illuminating her profile.
She was practically Bianca's twin.
I turned to see Marco and all the family members rising to their feet simultaneously.
The front door opened, and the woman glided in. She surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on me for a second before walking directly toward Marco.
"Marco." Her voice was low and magnetic. "I represent the Torrino family, bringing grandmother's blessings."
Marco respectfully approached her, kissing both her cheeks. "Lucia, having you here is our honor. Bianca always spoke of you."
Lucia. Of course it was Lucia.
The men who had just been circling around me were now paying homage to this woman, and the women had stopped their chatter, looking at her with awe.
"Miss Lucia, welcome to our home." I stepped forward, maintaining a perfect smile.
She turned to me, those deep eyes looking me up and down. "You must be... Valentina, right?"
"Yes. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Her smile was flawless but didn't reach her eyes. "Bianca always said Marco had excellent taste."
That comment silenced everyone for a moment.
"Shall we move to the dining room?" I suggested.
Dinner was a complete disaster.
Lucia sat to Marco's right - my usual seat - while I was "politely" seated much further away. She discussed family business with Marco in fluent Italian, occasionally switching to English to make sure I could understand what she was saying.
"You know, Marco, the Torrino family's roots can be traced back to the 12th century. Our bloodline has always been pure." She elegantly cut her steak. "Tradition is very important to us."
"Of course, Lucia. Tradition is the source of our strength." Marco nodded in agreement.
She turned to me, that perfect smile returning. "Valentina, which family are you from?"
"I..." I set down my fork. "I don't have a prestigious family."
"Oh." Lucia's expression instantly shifted to sympathy, but I could see the satisfaction in her eyes. "Poor child. But Marco, you know family marriages require matching social status - it's been our tradition for centuries. Especially in this... complex business."
Marco cleared his throat. "Lucia, let's eat first. We can discuss these matters later."
I continued smiling, continued eating, continued playing the docile Valentina.
After the party ended, I was cleaning up in the kitchen. Marco and the last few guests were still drinking and chatting in the living room, with Lucia naturally being the center of attention.
"Need any help?"
I turned to find Lucia standing in the kitchen doorway. She'd taken off her heels but was still half a head taller than me.
"No thanks." I continued washing dishes. "You're a guest."
"I'd like to chat with you." She walked into the kitchen and closed the door. "Privately."
I turned off the water and faced her. "About what?"
"About your... situation here." She leaned against the counter. "Little girl, do you think you're worthy of the Santangelo family?"
Her tone had changed. The elegant politeness was gone, replaced by naked hostility.
I remained calm. "Marco has never looked down on my background."
"Bianca was my cousin." She stepped closer. "Her position isn't something just anyone can fill. Be smart, while I'm still being nice."
I looked into her eyes. In that moment, I allowed my facade to slip just a little.
"Threatening me?" My voice dropped an octave. "Are you sure you understand the rules here?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Interesting. Maybe you're more... complex than you appear. But that doesn't change anything. Marco needs a real partner, a woman who can strengthen family alliances. Not a..." She looked me up and down. "Replacement."
We stared at each other for several seconds, invisible gunpowder filling the air.
Then she resumed that perfect smile. "But don't worry, dear. I'm sure Marco will make the right choice."
She turned and left the kitchen.
Later, Lucia made her move in front of the guests.
"Marco, darling, could we see Bianca's beautiful Venetian necklace? It would mean so much to me—like having a piece of her with us tonight."
The room fell silent. Marco hesitated, then nodded and retrieved the velvet jewelry box from upstairs.
"It's 18th-century," Marco said softly as he opened it, revealing a breathtaking diamond necklace. "Five generations of her family wore this."
Lucia reached out tentatively. "May I hold it?"
As Marco handed it to her, she turned to me with a perfect smile. "Valentina, you should see this up close too. After all, you're part of this family now."
She extended the necklace toward me. As I instinctively reached out to steady it, Lucia's fingers "slipped."
The priceless necklace struck the marble floor with a sickening crack, breaking into pieces.
"Oh my God!" Lucia gasped, tears streaming. "I was trying to show Valentina, and she... we both... I think Valentina might have pulled too hard!"
Marco's face was devastation and rage. "This was all I had left of her."
"Tomorrow morning, you find the best jewelry restorer," he told me coldly. "You fix this."
Lucia caught my eye, her mask slipping for just a moment—cold satisfaction replacing grief.
Her arrival wasn't a coincidence. She came here with a purpose, and that purpose likely included driving me away from Marco's side.
