They Chose the Wrong Mafia Daughter

I was reborn.

I returned to three weeks after my mother's death, the starting point of my tragedy.

In the conference room of the Costa estate, my father—the man who had abandoned my mother and me soon after I was born—sat at the head of the long table, arranging my "marriage alliance."

"Viola, we brought you back to protect you. It was also your mother's dying wish for you to have security," Father said. "Since Ella is also of marriageable age, I've seized this opportunity to find two suitable candidates to discuss your engagements."

My mom's dying wish? All I remember is her agonizing struggle at the end, lips turning purple, body convulsing uncontrollably, her eyes filled with utter despair.

And where was he then?

Two men sat opposite me. Leon Rossi, heir to the Rossi family, which controlled the arms trade, longtime allies of the Costa family. Cassian Moranti, young master of the declining Moranti family, once a rival clan, now seeking to bind the families through marriage to maintain peace.

Anyone with sense knew which man to choose. But in my previous life, no one told me their true standings. They simply exploited my naivety to steer me towards the latter.

"Dad is right," Ella chimed in, looking at me. "Sis, you choose first. I can concede anything to you."

The exact same words.

In my past life, because Ella had confided in me beforehand about her deep love for Leon and her hope that I wouldn't come between them, I naively chose Cassian. I thought it was a selfless act, but it only earned me chains in a dungeon.

I still remember Cassian slipping the ring on my finger during the wedding, his gaze tender. "Viola, I promise to love and protect you until my last breath."

I believed it then. I thought I'd married into a good family, that I could finally be happy, and that Mother could rest in peace.

But not long after the wedding, he began incessantly questioning me about the family.

"Who are your father's arms suppliers?"

"Have you seen the Costa family ledgers?"

"Do you know what happens in those secret meetings?"

I knew nothing. Father never told me anything. I was just the marginalized illegitimate daughter.

His eyes grew cold, his words sparse. He started staying away for long periods.

The night I died, we erupted into a violent fight.

"What do you actually know? Your father has already named Ella as the Costa family heir!" He grabbed my shoulders, fury in his eyes. "He married you to me, surely not without offering something!"

"I truly don't know!" I cried. "He never told me anything!"

"You useless thing!" he roared, ripping off his wedding ring and hurling it to the floor. "I thought marrying a Costa daughter would gain me something, but you know nothing!"

Then he locked me in the dungeon.

"Viola?" Father's voice pulled me back to the present. "What are you thinking? Make your choice."

Looking at the familiar scene before me, flames of vengeance ignited within.

This time, I would not repeat my mistakes.

I noticed Ella's gaze drifting towards Leon, her desire unmistakable.

"Since Ella is so considerate..." I said, positioning myself between them.

"I choose Leon Rossi."

Silence descended upon the conference room the moment my words fell.

Ella's smile shattered instantly. "Viola... you... you know Leon and I are in love..."

Smack!

Father's palm connected with my face in a resounding crack.

"Do you have any idea what you're saying? Leon is the Rossi heir. Do you think you can handle the rules of such a powerful family?"

"Do you know how many tears Ella shed, begging me to bring you home? And this is how you show your gratitude?"

I pressed a hand to my stinging cheek and laughed.

"Didn't you just say I could choose whoever I wanted? I made my choice, and your response is to hit me? What exactly is the meaning of this, Father?"

"Oh, don't say that," Ella interjected, her voice soft and pleading.

"You're new to all this. Dad's only being protective. And, Viola," she said, turning to me with a watery smile, "everyone knows Cassian has a bit of a crush on you. Can't you see that?""

All eyes turned to Cassian.

My hands clenched into fists. I was even more nervous facing this moment again.

"I heard you've recently stockpiled a batch of arms that aren't selling," he said, standing up and addressing my father. "I'm willing to offer a fifty-million-dollar arms deal in exchange for marrying Miss Ella."

Then he looked at me, a familiar disdain flashing in his eyes. "As for this... innocent young lady, let's just be friends."

My heart nearly stopped. This was completely different. He was supposed to choose me!

This time, he chose Ella directly.

In my past life, he was thrilled to get in with the Costa family. He wasn't picky as long as she had the family name.

I stared at him, shocked, and for a fleeting moment as our eyes met, his gaze wavered, then quickly darted away.

Could it be... he was also reborn?

"Fifty million dollars?" Father's eyes practically glowed. That was a fortune, enough to salvage his losses in Greyport.

"To think, Mr. Moranti is also so devoted to Ella..."

Ella was "moved" to speechlessness. "Cassian... you actually..."

"Then, since Cassian is so devoted to Ella, Viola, you will marry—"

"Wait." Leon Rossi slowly rose from his seat. "When did I ever say I would accept such goods?"

"You actually think I'd marry a bastard like you?" He strode right up to me, his gaze raking over me with utter revulsion. "Your mother just died, and you come running straight to Daddy. Marry you? What a goddamn joke."