The Cursed Wife and Her Mafia Husband's Regret

Alessia's POV

My name is Alessia Vitale, and I'm the unloved twin.

From the moment I was born, I was the "curse" while my sister Chiara was the "treasure." My parents' love, the family's pride—it all belonged to her. Until two years ago, when Rocco Benedetti, the most powerful man in Valentia, chose me. That was the only light in my life.

Then my sister came back from Europe.

She claimed I hired thugs to rape her, destroying her dream of motherhood. Rocco forced me to test deadly drugs in her place. I was sent to a mob boss's basement, taking her beatings, her burns, her broken ribs. My family shipped me off to an unmarked clinic, then left for a beach vacation.

No one knew I'd been poisoned—that I only had a month to live.

And no one knew that by the time they discovered the truth...

It would all be too late.

"You destroyed Chiara's chance at motherhood, so you'll pay with your own body!"

A resounding slap struck my face. I clutched my burning cheek, staring in disbelief at the man before me—my husband, Rocco Benedetti.

"Alessia Vitale! You actually hired thugs to rape your own sister!" His voice trembled with rage. "Chiara fought back desperately to protect herself and suffered severe abdominal trauma... The doctor says she'll never be able to conceive again!"

My mind went blank.

"What? I didn't—"

Before I could finish, the door burst open.

My father Giovanni entered, supporting Chiara, with my mother Carmela close behind. My twin sister looked deathly pale, her body weak as she leaned against our father, her eyes swollen from crying. But I noticed her fingers gripping his arm—nails neatly trimmed without a single sign of struggle. Her steps, though appearing weak, were steady when they touched the ground, nothing like someone who'd suffered severe abdominal trauma.

"Alessia..." Chiara's tears immediately began to flow when she saw me. "Why... we're sisters..."

She clutched her lower abdomen, curling up in pain. "I know you've always been jealous of me... but I never thought you would..."

"That's not true! Chiara, I didn't!" I desperately tried to explain.

"Papa, don't blame her..." Chiara said weakly. "Maybe I disrupted her life by coming back... I shouldn't have returned to Valentia... then Alessia wouldn't hate me so much..."

Mother suddenly rushed forward and shoved me hard. I stumbled backward, nearly falling.

"You monster!" Mother's voice was shrill and piercing. "Twenty-five years ago, I almost died giving birth to you! I should have known you were no good!"

"Mama..." My voice choked. "I really didn't do it! I swear!"

Father didn't even glance at me, just held Chiara tightly, speaking in a cold, detached tone I'd never heard before: "Alessia, you've disappointed me deeply. I wish I'd never saved you at birth."

Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife.

Rocco suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it hurt. "Why would you do this? Haven't I treated you well enough? Why can't you accept Chiara?"

His eyes held anger, disappointment, and a disgust I'd never seen before.

"You know what? I used to think you were kind, that your parents misjudged you. Now I see they were right from the start."

My heart felt like it was being torn apart by bare hands.

"There's a doctor who's developed a new drug that can repair the uterus and restore fertility." Rocco released my wrist, speaking coldly. "But this drug is still experimental, with unknown side effects—someone needs to test it first. Chiara has already suffered too much, her body can't take anymore."

He stared at me, enunciating each word: "So you'll test the drug for her. Two weeks. This is your atonement."

"If you don't agree, we'll divorce."

I looked at him—this man who once promised to protect me forever, now so ruthless.

"Rocco, don't force Alessia..." Chiara said weakly. "Maybe she really didn't mean it... maybe... maybe I did something wrong that made her hate me so much..."

Father pulled her into a tight embrace. "My precious daughter, it's Papa's fault for not protecting you."

Mother stroked Chiara's hair. "Don't be afraid, Mama's here... that evil thing will pay the price."

I stood there, my heart dead as ashes.

What they didn't know was—three days ago, the doctor told me I'd been poisoned and only had a month to live. In that moment, my world collapsed. I had planned to spend my final days saying a proper goodbye to Rocco, making peace with my family. I imagined that at the end, perhaps I'd receive a hug from my mother, perhaps Father would say "I love you," and Rocco would hold me tight, saying he couldn't bear to let me go.

But now, none of that was possible.

I looked at Rocco's face, the face that once made my heart race. Now it was only cold and strange. I only had a month left anyway—what was two more weeks of suffering?

"Fine," I said slowly, my voice eerily calm. "I agree."

The moment I finished speaking, I noticed Chiara's lips curl slightly. The smile lasted only a second, but I saw it clearly. A flash of triumph crossed her eyes before being masked by tears.

"Thank God, that evil finally did one thing right," Mother said with relief.

Father immediately grabbed his phone, dialing while muttering to himself: "Chiara's wedding to the Brennan family is approaching fast. We must get her treated quickly, can't delay any longer... my daughter can't wait."

Rocco looked at me, his expression complex. There seemed to be a moment of hesitation and softness, but it quickly disappeared. He turned to Chiara, gently helping her sit down. "Chiara, don't be afraid. Soon you'll recover. I promise."

That gentle tone used to be mine alone.

Chiara had always had the prettiest dresses, the best teachers, everyone's affection. And I only got the leftovers, the hand-me-downs, the unwanted things. At every family gathering, Chiara was surrounded and adored while I could only stand in the shadows.

Two years ago, Rocco chose me over Chiara. That was the happiest moment of my life—finally someone saw the real me.

But Chiara left heartbroken for Europe. Three months ago she returned, and everything changed.

Rocco began to doubt me, to distance himself. The rift between us grew deeper and deeper, and I was powerless to stop it.

Now, I watched this family gathered around Chiara—Father, Mother, Rocco—no one even glanced at me. As if I'd never existed at all.

My home, my husband, everything I thought I had...

Now there was nothing left.

I turned to leave. This room was suffocating me.

Just as I reached the door, someone grabbed my wrist.

It was Rocco.

"Wait." His voice came from behind me.

My heart pounded hard. I turned around, looking into his eyes, a faint hope rising within me. Maybe... maybe he believed me now? Maybe he wanted to say "I'm sorry, I was wrong about you"?