Giving Up One Don for a Better One

When an avalanche struck, Cristiano Corleone, the man I grew up with, held my hand tightly. But I chose to let go, giving the last seat on the helicopter to my adopted younger sister, Tania Lanza. And that was because in my previous life, after Cristiano chose to save me, Tania was swallowed by the snowstorm, forever lost in the mountains. He acted like he didn't mind marrying me and making me Donna, but then he gave me the silent treatment for 20 years. "If it weren't for you, Tania would never have died." Because of that, I ended up dying from depression. Now, given a second chance at life, I decisively chose to let them be together. Just as I was on the verge of death, Cesare Martelli, the Don of North Arocia's largest mafia family, saved me in the nick of time. I didn't think twice before accepting his proposal and bearing his heir. Three years passed by, and I accompanied Cesare to a business banquet. As he got tied up with some last-minute work and couldn't get away, the men in the region offered to pick me up at the airport. I had never expected the person who would show up would be none other than Cristiano, whom I hadn't seen in three years. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up with shock and joy. "I knew you were still alive! It's just a shame that Tania is my wife now. But for old times' sake, I don't mind making you my mistress." Chapter 1 "Isn't that Silvia? Cristiano, she's actually alive!" Cristiano Corleone's Underboss, Giovan Furlan, gaped at me, blurting that out in sheer shock. Cristiano whipped around, his eyes wide with disbelief and delight. "I knew it! I knew you'd make it out alive!" He started to reach out for a hug, but froze the second he caught Tania Lanza in his peripheral vision. Without a trace of a smile in her eyes, Tania said, "Silvia Lanza, if you were perfectly fine this whole time, why didn't you reach out to us sooner?" She paused, then suddenly let out a sigh. "I mean, it's great that you're back, but Cristiano is expecting a very important guest today. I'm afraid he won't have the time to entertain you." The men behind them took the hint and began taunting me one after another. "Talk about being lucky. As soon as Cristiano becomes Don of the Corleone family, she comes running back to suck up to him." "She even plays it off like it's just a coincidence. Look at the dress she's wearing. It looks like she fished it out of a dumpster. It's so tacky." I looked down at what I was wearing. It was a perfectly tailored black dress that looked pretty simple at first glance. But this was a bespoke piece Cesare Martelli had gotten specially made for me. There was only one of it in the entire world. Clearly, these people didn't have an eye for nice things and simply couldn't tell. That was when I realized that they had no idea that I was the important guest they were waiting for. Seeing how awkward things had gotten, Giovan tried to smooth things over. "The important thing is that you're okay. Cristiano never gave up looking for you—" Cristiano held up a hand, cutting him off. Then, he spoke with an arrogant, almost condescending air. "Since you're alive, you can come back to the Corleone family with us. We have history, after all. I can just let you be my mistress." Cristiano was still just as arrogant as ever. He honestly thought I'd spend my whole life chasing after him, that even if I left, all he had to do was crook a finger and I'd come running back. Seeing how full of himself he was, I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Knowing Cesare was still waiting for me, I opened my mouth, ready to drop the bomb about who I really was and put an end to this little farce. However, Tania spoke up right then, feigning concern. "Silvia, I know you're unhappy with this. But you've been gone for three years. Who knows what kind of men you've been shacking up with out there?" She rested a hand on her lower abdomen, a smug little glint in her eyes. "Even if Cristiano wanted to make you his Donna now, it'd be practically impossible, especially since I'm the one about to give him an heir. "Still, considering we're sisters, I won't make such a big deal out of this. We do have an empty room in the maid's quarters in the house. If you stay there, you won't have to sleep on the streets at least." It had been three years, and Tania was still putting on this sickeningly sweet act. It made me want to gag. Cristiano mistook my disgust for jealousy, and his smugness only grew. "Tania's right. You need to know your place now. As long as you behave and do as you're told, there'll always be a place for you by my side." At that, his men snickered. "Come on, Silvia, Cristiano is already being more than generous with you. It's just being a mistress. You love Cristiano so much that you'll say yes, right?" Tania quickly added in a cautious voice, "Silvia, I won't let you be mistreated." Cristiano waved her off and interrupted, frowning. "She was the one who got all worked up back then and stubbornly refused to get on the helicopter. So what right does she have to complain now? Tania, you're way too soft on her." I couldn't help but laugh. So in his mind, I was just throwing a childish fit that day. He had no clue that in this second chance at life, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. I was more than happy to leave him to Tania. As for me, I'd already become the Donna of the Martelli family, which placed me above everyone present. Chapter 2 I couldn't be bothered to argue anymore, so I simply said, "Are you done? If you're done, then let's go. You've gotten orders from the top, right? Then you should know you're supposed to be picking me up." The air grew tense in an instant. Cristiano's men exchanged confused glances, then burst into laughter. Tania let out a soft laugh, the contempt in her eyes clear as day. "Silvia, why are you still such a pathological liar? We're here on orders to pick up the Martelli family's Donna. Do you even know who that is?" Of course, I knew. "She's the one person Don Martelli would never allow anyone to mess with! He's ruthless with everyone else, but when it comes to his Donna, he does whatever she says." "The entire underworld is tripping over themselves to stay on her good side. She's that important. How could someone like you possibly compare to her?" As I listened in silence, I smirked. In the three years we'd been married, Cesare's influence had only grown stronger. And naturally, the rumors about how he doted on his wife had gotten completely blown out of proportion. Tania was just about to keep running her mouth when she suddenly noticed the ring on my finger. It was the "Tears of the Goddess", a one-of-a-kind piece Cesare had spent a fortune having custom-made for me. It was also his anniversary gift to me for our second wedding anniversary. Tania stared at it intently before suddenly shrieking, "Where did you get that?" Before I could react, she stepped forward and yanked it right off my finger, holding it up to the light to inspect it. "The craftsmanship isn't bad. It actually looks halfway decent. Silvia, I didn't expect your scamming skills to improve so much over the last three years. Or did you steal it off some random man you hooked up with?" Having the ring forcibly removed left my ring finger red. I was starting to get mad. "Give it back." I reached out to grab it, but Cristiano blocked me with a cold glare. "Silvia, are you done making a scene? You're seriously wearing a fake ring out in public? Aren't you worried people would notice and make a fool of you?" With a frown, I blurted out, "A fake? My husband gave that to me!" Tania let out a sharp scoff. "Alright, Silvia. You got caught in a lie, so just accept it. If this ring were real, then what next? Are you going to tell us you're the apple of Don Martelli's eye?" Another round of loud laughter erupted around me. They were all looking at me with nothing but contempt. As far as they were concerned, I was still the same Silvia who was left freezing to death in the snow three years ago. And with Cesare being as powerful and influential as he was, they simply couldn't imagine him having anything to do with me. Tania toyed with the ring between her fingers and smiled. "Silvia, this ring doesn't suit you at all. Why don't you just give it to me?" I refused without a second thought, my voice growing colder with every word. "No. Cesare gave this to me himself—" Before I could finish, Cristiano slapped me hard across the face. His brow furrowed. "Silvia, do you have any idea what you're saying?" Chapter 3 Cristiano's face was twisted with rage. "Do you really think you're someone who can just name-drop Don Martelli? How dare you spread rumors about being involved with him? Are you trying to get us all killed?" His men glared at me as well, yelling, "You can go off the rails all you want, but don't take us down with you!" "Do you have any idea what we had to sacrifice just to get this opportunity to welcome the Donna today, just so we could make a good impression on Don Martelli?" "He practically owns all of North Arocia now. Even people like us have to kiss his ring just to survive. If you piss him off, the entire Corleone family could be wiped out overnight!" I brought a hand up to my stinging cheek before slowly meeting Cristiano's eyes. Cristiano froze, a flicker of panic crossing his face. He sighed, his voice turning softer. "Silvia, stop this. I already said I'd take you in as my mistress. You should know when to quit while you're ahead. Just come back with us quietly before Don Martelli gets here." I looked at him coldly without saying a word. Tania's expression stiffened for a moment. She said, "Silvia, no matter how angry you are, you shouldn't drag the entire Corleone family into this. "Cristiano has had a hard time these past three years. You shouldn't be trying to hurt him like this just to get back at him." Her eyes reddened, and tears started falling at the drop of a hat. Just like she always did during Cristiano and my arguments three years ago, she tried to turn us against each other again. Sure enough, Cristiano scowled. "Silvia, you've really disappointed me." He pulled a black card from his jacket and flicked it at me in annoyance. "Since you're Tania's sister, I'm willing to let what happened today slide. "But if you keep acting like this, you can forget about coming back with me! There's two million in there. Go buy yourself a decent outfit and don't embarrass me at the upcoming banquet." He was just as high and mighty as he'd been in my past life, looking down on me with that same arrogant attitude. Cristiano had never listened to my explanations, nor had he ever believed a single word I said. Looking at the two of them standing so close together, I abruptly laughed. Without even glancing at the black card on the ground, I stepped forward to snatch my ring back from Tania's hand. Under their shocked stares, I chuckled and said, "No thanks. I don't need handouts from trash. And as for the trash I've already thrown away, once it's out, it stays out." Chapter 4 With that, I stopped paying attention to their various expressions and turned to leave. I'd barely taken a few steps before Cristiano suddenly grabbed me by the wrist. "What the heck is your problem, Silvia? I'm giving you a chance to back down, and you won't take it?" He spoke in a low voice, his grip so tight his fingers were practically digging into my flesh. I looked up to meet his gaze, my voice still calm. "Since you're married to Tania now, let's have nothing more to do with each other." Besides, Cesare was extremely possessive. Even talking to someone else for a little too long was enough to put him in a foul mood. Hearing that, Cristiano glanced at Tania before letting out a scoff. "Please. You think I don't know what you're playing at?" He gazed down at me, his tone once again dripping with superiority. "There's a welcome banquet three days from now, and Don Martelli will be there too. "I'll take you and show you what you've been missing. Just stay by Tania's side and learn some proper etiquette. That way, you'll be able to handle yourself someday." I forcefully shook off his hand and finally spared him a sideways glance. "I don't need it, and I couldn't care less." Cristiano's face darkened, his anger flaring up again. "Silvia, you've really gotten bold over the last three years, haven't you? If you're going to be this ungrateful, I'll only take Tania then. Don't come crying to me later!" Tania's eyes lit up at that. She immediately came over to hold his arm. "I know better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. I'll make sure to put my best foot forward and help you land that deal with the Martelli family!" Sick of looking at their smug faces, I turned and headed straight for the airport doors. As I pushed open the heavy glass doors, a blast of cold wind rushed down my collar. In my previous life, Cristiano chose to save me from the blizzard. And Tania never made it long enough to see the rescue team or his return, so she died there. Cristiano acted like he didn't care, but after we got married, he gave me nothing but a lifetime of emotional neglect. Eventually, I developed depression and died earlier than I should have. But in this life, I had a chance to rewrite history. Hence, I let go of Cristiano's hand and shoved Tania into the helicopter cabin instead. As I struggled through the blizzard, Cesare heard my faint cries for help. A year later, we got married. And a year after that, I gave birth to his son. My future was already completely different from the life I'd had before. If I hadn't accompanied Cesare here for this meeting, I wouldn't have come back at all. And Cristiano never would've gotten the chance to lay eyes on me again. Chapter 5 Three days later, I did my makeup, slipped into the bespoke gown Cesare had personally picked out for me, and headed to the venue alone. But the moment I walked in, I locked eyes with Cristiano, who was looking incredibly smug. "Silvia, I knew you couldn't stay away from me. If you really want to win me back, then all you have to do is dress up nicely." I ignored the narcissistic Cristiano and walked straight past him. Infuriated by my attitude, Cristiano grabbed my wrist. "Silvia, I'm talking to you. What is your problem? Our seats aren't over there. Where do you think you're going?" With a frown, I shook off his hand and said coolly, "Who said I was sitting with you?" I jerked my chin toward the center of the venue as I said, "If you're done, I'm going over there now." Cristiano followed my gaze, and his face fell instantly. Tania blinked, suddenly pointing at the ring on my finger. "Silvia, do you even know whose seat that is? Are you trying to cause trouble by showing up here wearing that ring?" She deliberately raised her voice, instantly drawing the attention of everyone around us. "Isn't that the 'Tears of the Goddess'? The ring Don Martelli spent a fortune creating after searching all across North Arocia for the perfect materials?" "The Donna is supposed to make her first public appearance today. Is she wearing that ring to steal the Donna's spotlight?" "Cristiano, is this how you control your mistress? If she wants to throw her life away, she can do it without dragging us down too!" Cristiano stared at me, only to find that I hadn't even spared him a glance. His face darkened instantly, and he spoke in a much lower voice. "She's not my mistress. I don't know her." Tania could barely hide the smugness in her eyes as she acted even more arrogantly. "You've got it wrong. She's just a desperate wretch trying to cling to power. She has a death wish! Hand over that ring and get the hell out of here!" Seeing that resentful look on her face, I couldn't help but curl my lips into a knowing smile. "Are you absolutely sure you want me to leave?" Tania's eyes went cold, and she sneered. "A broke, powerless woman doesn't belong in a place like this!" With that, she lunged at me, reaching straight for my ring. I stepped aside to avoid her, but lost my footing and fell hard. Tania ripped the ring off my finger with a scoff. "It's just a fake. You should've just handed it over sooner." She seized the chance to step on my hand, digging her pointed heel into my palm. I gritted my teeth and tried to pull away, but she just pressed down harder. Soon, blood began to seep from the wound. Tania stood over me, taking pleasure in seeing my pathetic state. She then commanded haughtily, "What are you all waiting for? Throw her out!" I struggled desperately, biting back the pain as I yelled, "Stop! Aren't you afraid Cesare will come after you for treating me like this—" Tania slapped me hard across the face. "Are you about to say you're Don Martelli's wife again? You? As if!" Even after that, she still wasn't satisfied. She slapped me across the face with all her strength again, causing both sides of my cheeks to throb in pain. I hadn't planned on getting back at her when I came back because I didn't think there was a need to. But now, she was going to pay dearly for this. Cristiano finally decided he'd seen enough and grabbed Tania by the wrist before she could hit me again. "Enough. Stop making a scene." Tania's face went stiff. Cristiano walked right up to me. When he saw the blood trickling from the corner of my mouth, he tried to wipe it off for me, but I instinctively turned my head away. His hand froze, and his eyes instantly turned icy. "Don't be so ungrateful, Silvia. You went to all this trouble to barge in here with that fake ring just to get me to take you back, right? "If you get on your knees and beg me right now, I might consider taking you back." Hearing that, I just let out a cold laugh. "You want me to get back together with you? Cristiano, you and your entire family are dead." He was just about to blow up when the doors behind him swung open. The noisy room fell dead silent in an instant. Cristiano warned me in a low voice, "Don Martelli is here. You'd better behave yourself. If you just keep your head down, I'll let everything that just happened slide." How ridiculous. If anyone were to let things slide that day, it would be me. Cesare walked into the hall. The moment he noticed the Donna's seat was empty, his brows snapped together. He swept an icy gaze over the crowd, clearly searching for someone. Cristiano took the chance to quietly try to persuade me again. "If you behave and do as you're told, I might even reward you by letting you have my baby." Instead of replying, I simply covered my wound and tried to get Cesare's attention. Just as Cristiano was running out of patience and about to scold me again, Cesare finally spotted me. And he started walking toward me.