"You have no idea what I care about," I said, my voice dangerously low.
"Then what do you care about?" Angelo demanded impatiently. "Isn't it because I chose Giuliana over you?"
I looked at him, and the whole situation suddenly struck me as hilarious.
Three years had passed, and he still didn't understand a thing.
The humiliation of the engagement ceremony had cut deep, but what had truly shattered my heart was his betrayal and his distrust.
After his brother's death, his concern for Giuliana had bled far beyond a Don's duty to a fallen Soldato's widow. He saw only her grief, never the web of lies she spun to frame me, never questioning the "evidence" she fabricated.
And, of course, he had no idea that the cruelties I endured at the estate were all carried out under Giuliana's private orders.
"Forget it," I said, shaking my head. "It's pointless talking to you."
"See? Another childish tantrum," Giuliana snipped. Then she deliberately lifted her wrist. "Chiara, what do you think of this bracelet? It's a custom diamond piece. Only three in the world."
Her eyes gleamed with pride, searching my face for a flicker of jealousy.
I gave her a cold glance.
"Then you'd better cherish it. It's probably worth more than you are."
"Although..."
I paused, raking my eyes over her with disdain.
"On you, it just looks cheap."
"You!"
Her face flushed with anger, but with Angelo there, she couldn't lash out.
So, she turned to him with red-rimmed eyes, pretending to be dizzy.
"You... how could you say that?" She clutched her chest, her body starting to sway. "I... I don't feel so well..."
Same old act.
"Giuliana!" Angelo immediately steadied her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing... It's just... Chiara's malice is too much..." she said weakly. "My heart... it can't take it..."
Angelo whipped his head toward me, his eyes burning with fury.
"Enough, Chiara! You always do this! Do you have to push her into a heart attack to be satisfied?"
"I didn't do anything."
"Your presence alone is poison to her!" he roared. "Her heart problems started three years ago because of you!"
I took a deep breath.
This sickening duo hadn't changed a bit. One feigning fragility, the other playing the protector.
"Chiara, I'm done talking to you," Angelo said, holding Giuliana tighter. "Since you're so determined to run your mouth, fine. You can come in. But I'm warning you, Chiara. If you cause trouble in front of Don Castiglione, I can't save you."
He started walking, urging me to follow.
His hand on my wrist was an iron clamp.
I cried out in pain.
"Let go of me!"
As I struggled, a platinum watch fell from my sleeve, hitting the marble floor with a crisp clatter.
Giuliana's eyes darted to the ground. She snatched the watch, examined it, and then shrieked:
"The Castiglione family sigil! What are you doing with it?"
