"Why did Sister leave me alone in the woods?"Gianna sobbed."I was so scared."
It was at that moment that Adriana understood the malicious,provocative looks Gianna had always given her were not just her imagination.
Unfortunately,before she could explain herself,the Donna struck her hard across the face,a backhand heavy with the rings of the Castellano bloodline.
Her ear struck the corner of the dining table,and a gush of blood poured out instantly.The room,full of men who had killed for far less,went silent.No one moved to help her.
The Underboss kept cursing at her,the gutter still raw in his voice no matter how fine his suit,while the Donna held Gianna the whole time,not sparing her even a glance.
It was one of the household staff who pitied her and took her to a back-alley doctor the Family trusted.But they missed the window,and her right ear permanently lost its hearing.
The Underboss sent her away,banished to a remote outpost at the edge of the Family's territory.
Before she left,only Salvatore held her hand."Don't worry,Adriana.In a few months,I'll beg Mamma and Papàto bring you back."His thumb worked against his right knuckle as he said it,as though already sensing the weight of a promise he wouldn't keep.
At first,Salvatore called her every week.But later,the calls became monthly,then once every six months,and mostly they only revolved around Gianna.
"Gianna took first place at the craftsmen's showing today!"
"If only you had half her gift."
"Gianna says she's already forgiven you,but I think you need to reflect a bit more."
And so,Adriana was abandoned at that distant outpost for ten years.It wasn't until she turned twenty that she was finally brought back inside the Castellano walls.
She thought her family still loved her after all.
For that insignificant sliver of blood affection,she humbled herself every day,trying her best to please them,hoping to be loved the same way in return.
But only now did she finally understand.No matter how hard she tried,people who didn't love her never would.
Since that was the case,she didn't want them anymore,either.
Seeing that Adriana remained silent,Salvatore grew annoyed."Adriana,are you mute?"
"All I asked was for you to take Gianna's punishment for her,not to die.What's there to hesitate about?"
"What's wrong?You've failed your duty to Mamma all these years,and now you won't even hear her out?"
Just as Salvatore moved toward her,one of the help burst through the door and cried out,"Something's wrong!Miss Gianna's on the ledge.She says she'll jump!"
The Donna turned pale with fright and rushed out without hesitation,the heavy mourning ring turning fast on her finger.
Salvatore held more of his composure,but his face was grim as he snarled,"If anything happens to Gianna,I won't let you off."
He seized Adriana's wrist and dragged her toward Gianna's room.
By the time they arrived,her wrist was red and swollen from his grip.Just as she tried to rub it,she saw someone familiar.Marco.Her childhood companion,and her betrothed.
The Castellano and Fontaine Families had stood close for generations,and the blood-alliance pact between them had been sealed long before either of them was grown.
Marco had come up alongside her,and through all her years in exile,he had been her one constant,her support.Without him,she might never have survived it.
Marco used to say,"To me,Adriana will always be the most important person.No one can compare."
"Your own blood abandoned you in a place like that,and your brother never came once.They'll regret it someday."
"Don't grieve,Adriana.When you're mine,I'll make you the happiest woman in any territory."
Back then,Adriana had carried a deep-seated fear that Gianna would take everyone who mattered from her.Clinging to Marco like a lifeline,she had begged,"Then swear it to me.You're never to see Gianna again."
