Elena’s POV
Marco walked over to me, while Enzo… he extended his hand, looking genuinely relieved. His smile was unrestrained, almost as if he’d finally relaxed when I didn’t choose him. Maybe I was the only one who noticed.
As Marco came closer, his face was serious, without a hint of a smile. Without a word, he took the microphone from me. And then, he dropped a bombshell that would change my life in ways I’d never expected.
"I’m sorry, Elena," he began, his tone unwavering. "I know this is your birthday party, a big day for you and the family, but… I need to say this. I don’t want to marry you."
The entire hall gasped, shocked and unable to believe what they’d just heard. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as I stood there, speechless, blinking in disbelief. I finally managed to whisper, "W-What?"
Marco shook his head, his expression firm. "I just can’t see you as someone I’d want as a wife."
Before I could fully process his words, Enzo snatched the microphone from Marco. "Even though you didn’t choose me, I was relieved. But if you had chosen me, I’m sorry, but we don’t want you, Elena."
The whispers grew louder, echoing painfully in my ears.
"Oh my God, this is humiliating.”
“How embarrassing for her."
“The brothers rejected her.”
I felt an unbearable ache in my chest as if every comment was a stab to my heart. I took a step back, the humiliation suffocating, making it hard to breathe. I started to hyperventilate, desperately gasping for air.
And then, suddenly, someone unexpected appeared at my party.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
All eyes shifted to the person who had just entered. The moment she arrived, Marco and Enzo's faces lit up with excitement, both of them clearly thrilled by her presence. But as soon as I saw her face, a surge of intense anger rose within me.
I knew, without a doubt, that she was the reason the Rossi brothers' loyalty had slipped away from me.
“Clara.”
"You!" I shouted, unable to hold back the fury building in my chest.
Clara had always been charming, the kind of beauty that caught everyone’s attention without even trying. She was the daughter of the Rossi family’s powerful business partner, the Vanguard Group.
As the sole heiress, she carried the allure of prestige and influence, a fact she knew how to use to her advantage. Though she seemed sweet on the surface, I’d seen the subtle ways she manipulated those around her, drawing them in with her pretty smiles and quiet words. It was no wonder that both Marco and Enzo had developed feelings for her, but I saw through her facade—and knew the scheming mind behind it.
I’d noticed how their attitude changed, how their loyalty and faith in me faded. It was as if they were always angry with me, making me feel less important, even though I was the daughter of Don Salvatore—a powerful name throughout the city.
They had abandoned the loyalty owed to my blood, to me… all because of Clara.
I marched straight toward her, ignoring the shocked and curious stares of everyone around. Gripping my gown to keep from tripping, I stormed down the stage until I stood face-to-face with her. I jabbed my finger at her, my voice sharp with accusation.
“Why did you even come to my birthday party? You weren’t invited!”
I knew I was causing a scene, stirring up whispers among the crowd, but I didn’t care. I needed them all to see the truth—that Clara isn’t innocent as she seems to be.
“You’re so fake!” I spat. “Don’t show your face here again. I know you’re not as innocent as you pretend to be!”
“Elena, please calm down,” Clara said softly, feigning innocence. “I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just here to celebrate with you. Why are you pushing me away?”
Ms. Rossi hurried over, trying to pull me back, but I shrugged off her hand, my glare locked on Clara.
“Cut the crap!” I shot back, my eyes blazing. “I know you’re just here to get attention from the brothers. You stole them from me, stealing their loyalty, twisting their minds. But you can’t fool me!”
“Elena, that’s enough,” Marco’s voice cut through the air as he approached us, but I didn’t even look his way.
Then, suddenly, the massive cake rolled out, towering and elaborate, stopping right in front of us. Clara took the chance to respond.
“Elena, I don’t know what you’re trying to say. I’m sorry if you feel jealous of the attention they give me, but… I have no feelings for them.” She gave me a sickly sweet smile, one that only I seemed to notice was fake, while everyone else was blind to it.
"Liar! You’re a manipulator, and there’s no way you’ll fool me with your lies!" I shouted, unable to hold back my anger any longer. I stepped even closer, unable to stand the sight of her smug face.
She had the nerve to wear such an attention-grabbing dress: bold red, clinging to every curve, revealing her cleavage and a high slit on the side that showed off her long legs. It was clear she enjoyed the attention.
"Elena, enough! You’re causing a scene!" Enzo shouted angrily, his voice full of frustration. Both brothers now glared at me, their anger fully focused on me. My attention shifted to them, but just as I glanced back, Clara suddenly screamed.
“Ouch! That hurts!” she cried out dramatically, her voice laced with pain.
I turned back to her, but by the time I realized what had happened, it was too late. Since we were standing so close, she had subtly pushed me, but it was hidden by the folds of my large gown. To everyone else, it looked like I had pushed her. I lost my balance as I accidentally stepped on my gown’s hem, and with a gasp, I toppled backward—straight into the enormous cake.
Frosting flew everywhere, splattering across the hall and causing a chaotic mess. Guests close to me jumped back in shock, others screamed, and people pointed at Clara, horrified.
"Oh my gosh! You’re bleeding!” someone shouted.
I could barely process the words, and as I sat there, covered in cake, humiliation burned through me.
"She cut me!" Clara shouted, pointing directly at me.
