I am the biological daughter of the Marchetti family.
Raised elsewhere, I was a ghost until they found me.
On the surface, I played the part of the docile, long-lost daughter. But secretly? I was just grabbing my popcorn, ready for the show.
I didn't realize my every thought was a broadcast they could all hear.
"Even if you are our biological sister, the only true princess of the Marchetti family is Cassie. You'd better recognize your place," my brothers declared, their voices dripping with condescension.
'What sin did I commit in a past life to be reborn into a mafia family?'
My brothers froze on the spot.
"Cassie is gentle and kind; she loves everyone in this family. Don't even think about pulling any tricks to stir up trouble."
'Oh, she’s a real saint. The kind of saint who’d happily send every last one of you to hell. Her "love" is enough to make me puke.'
My brothers stared, their faces a mask of utter bewilderment.
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1
Ever since I was dragged back from some godforsaken plantation in the Andes, I’ve had this… unusual ability.
A voice in my head often guides me, telling me that I'm living inside a book.
Is it a superpower? Or are my nerves just fried from a little too much self-medication? Who cares.
According to this voice, I’m Annelise Marchetti, the tragic supporting character who’s destined to be sacrificed.
The protagonist is Cassie, an adopted daughter doted on by the Marchetti family.
After seeing way too many previews of this family’s spectacular stupidity and my own tragic end, I’ve made peace with it. I’m done hoping for some big, happy family reunion. I’ll let them crash and burn. All I have to do is play my part.
The Marchettis doted on their adopted daughter, but they were deeply suspicious of me—the biological child they’d just found.
Sure enough, the moment I stepped into the house, before I could even get my bearings, my three older brothers blocked my path.
"Even if you have Marchetti blood, the only sister we acknowledge is Cassie. Know your place, and don't covet what isn't yours."
Their words died in their throats. They froze, staring at me as if I’d just spoken, even though my lips hadn't moved.
Playing the part of the unwelcome sister, I simply replied, “Okay. Understood. Got it.”
But inwardly, I was already on a roll: 'Give me a break. I’m so sick of this cliché warning my ears are bleeding. You don’t like me? The feeling’s mutual. It’s not like I’m dying to stay in this hellhole. What makes you think I'm insane enough to walk willingly into a snake pit?'
'Seriously, you people are a piece of work. You drag me back here, and now you’re pissed that I showed up.'
My third brother, Leo, raised an eyebrow, his expression mocking. "Some people should drop the innocent act. We know you're just waiting for a chance to undermine Cassie."
'Wow, I’m really starting to lose my temper. Good. He deserves to get shot down like a dog in the street.'
His brow furrowed even deeper. He suddenly grabbed my shoulder, his grip so tight it felt like he was going to crush the bone.
"Leo! What do you think you're doing? Is that any way to treat your sister?" A stern voice boomed from behind us. It was my father, the Don of the Marchetti family.
"Annelise!" An elegant noblewoman rushed toward me, pulling me into a tight embrace.
"My precious daughter, you're finally home!"
I glanced at them and thought smugly, 'Damn, Papa and Mamma are gorgeous. No wonder I got the good genes.'
The woman holding me stiffened slightly. Her gaze darted between her silent sons and me, then she said hesitantly, "Annelise, I had the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes. Let's go home and eat."
My father, Don Luciano Marchetti, interjected, "I told your brothers to bring you in, not leave you standing here. I'll deal with them later."
'What a shame. They seem like decent parents, but they’ll still turn on me, thanks to Cassie’s little games. They'll kick me out, and their own endings are just as grim. One goes mad, the other gets a bullet. This family isn't cursed; it's doomed.'
In that moment, everyone froze solid. My mother gripped my hand so tightly her nails dug red crescents into my skin.
"Mamma?" I asked, startled.
She quickly let go, smiling awkwardly as she looked me up and down. "Annelise, are you all right? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
I shook my head obediently. "No, I'm fine."
'Though after meeting your three biased, brain-dead sons, my mood is definitely in the toilet.'
“Annelise Marchetti!” Leo roared, his infamous temper already flaring.
“What now? I’m just standing here. I haven’t said a word, and you’re already losing your mind?”
"Leo!" Luciano shot a harsh glare at my eldest brother, Vincenzo, signaling him to restrain the fuming hothead.
"Annelise, pay him no mind. Let's eat."
Finally seated at the dining table, I was about to enjoy a hard-earned meal when someone just had to ruin my appetite.
My second brother, Marco, deliberately placed a set of cutlery beside him, the silverware clinking softly in the tense silence. "Annelise," he began, drawing out his words, "you should know there's another girl in this house. Her name is Cassie. She's always been delicate, so I hope you can get along with her and be considerate."
The rest of the family remained silent, a clear sign of their agreement.
"Okay," I said calmly.
'Here we go again. My second brother, the loyal simp for the female lead, is starting his little speech.'
'She had a serious illness as a child, so what? That was years ago. She’s perfectly healthy now. She just fakes being frail to wrap you fools around her little finger.'
'Honestly, I can't believe my brothers are this gullible.'
Before I could finish my internal rant, a saccharine voice drifted down from the staircase. "Papa, Mamma, brothers!"
As if on cue, my parents and brothers all stood up, as if the little princess of the house had descended from on high.
My mother, Isabella, anxiously glanced back and forth between me and Cassie, worried I wouldn't get along with their precious adopted daughter.
On the surface, I remained composed. In my mind, however, I was already queuing the soundtrack for her grand entrance. 'And here she comes, waltzing in like the angel of death, ready to burn this whole family to the ground.'
