When Serina woke up, Valerio was still by her side, never leaving her for a single step.
Ignoring the concern etched on his face, she turned toward the window. The Sicilian sun was as blinding as ever, so bright it made her eyes sting with tears.
"Serina," Valerio said, lifting her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to it, "rest easy. I've dealt with all of them. From now on, I'll never let you fall into danger again."
Serina withdrew her hand, refusing to look at his deceitful face.
"Darling," he continued cautiously, "Danica was injured and needs a blood transfusion... you share a compatible blood type. Could you—"
Serina's eyes snapped open, blood-red and blazing. "You want me to give her blood?"
She spat out three words, icy and sharp, "In your dreams."
Valerio showed no anger at her rejection. As he rose to his feet, the movement revealed the gun tucked in his suit pocket, its dark muzzle pointed squarely at her.
A chill swept through Serina, unwilling to believe that the man who once vowed to love her for a lifetime would aim a gun at her.
“Are you... threatening me?” she asked, her voice trembling.
He smiled, voice soft, almost coaxing. "Of course not, darling. I just want you to help Danica. It's only a little blood—you won't die."
Her fingertips pricked into her palm, drawing tiny threads of blood.
Her body shook, her heart aching until it felt numb. "Lead the way," she said, her voice cracked.
"That's my good girl," Valerio said, stroking her hair as if soothing a child. "Once you recover, I'll take you to the yacht and we'll have your birthday celebration again."
Serina ignored him. Mechanically, she extended her arm, watching the doctor draw two bags of blood.
When it was done, her lips had lost all color. Pale and drained, she collapsed back onto the bed.
Outside, nurses whispered among themselves.
"What's the background of the woman the mafia lord brought in? A minor scratch and he goes to such lengths... and even lets his own wife donate blood for her?"
"Yeah, they say the mafia lord loves his wife dearly, but I'm not so sure."
Serina closed her eyes, expression blank as the words washed over her.
The next moment, she received a video from Danica.
The usually cold, dangerous man was leaning over, peeling an apple for her. The sunlight glinted off him like a halo—making him look incredibly gentle.
Scoffing, she ignored it, dialing a secure, unmonitored line instead.
"How's the identity cancellation coming along? Speed it up."
A voice replied promptly: "Boss, it'll be completed by tomorrow."
She hung up and exhaled slowly, a weight finally lifting from her chest. She could escape soon.
The next day, Valerio kept his promise and brought her aboard the yacht.
The luxurious vessel sailed through the Mediterranean, salt-kissed wind tangling in her hair.
To her dismay, Danica was also on the yacht.
Seeing her, Danica smiled again, but no matter how much she tried to hide it, her eyes sparkled with provocation.
"I didn't expect you to still stick by him," Danica said, smug as ever. "But fine. Since you're staying, I've got another shield to take the hit for me."
As if she didn't exist, Serina stared blankly ahead and didn't respond.
Seeing she didn't seem affected, Danica's annoyance flared. "What are you pretending for? You must be insanely jealous. You survived life-and-death situations with him for three years, and I took your place as soon as I came!"
Hearing her words, Serina gripped the railing tighter, her fists turned white with tension.
"Two years ago, he came to America for a deal. The venue suddenly caught fire, and he was trapped under a beam," Danica laughed, tilting her head, "I just happened to pass by, called him out of the ashes, and he actually believed I saved him. Ever since, he's been hopelessly in love with me."
Two years ago?
Serina's heart leapt.
Two years ago, Valerio had returned to America, and she hadn't heard from him for a long time.
Worried, she flew back immediately, only to learn about the fire at the transaction site. She rushed there, plunging into the flames to save him, and collapsed from exhaustion.
When she woke up again, she was back in Sicily.
She had thought the matter was behind her—but now, Danica took the credit for her, becoming the so-called savior in Valerio's eyes.
