Married Off to the Dying Don

My younger sister, Arianna Valenti, is engaged to Dario Lancieri, heir of the Lancieri family. But after drinking a glass of spiked champagne, I end up sleeping with Dario. To preserve the alliance between our families, my Madre decides that I will marry Dario in Arianna's place. I marry the man Arianna loves, while she is sent away to marry the gravely ill elderly Don of the Bellini family as part of a political alliance. On her wedding day, Arianna is ambushed and killed by a rival faction. From that moment on, Dario hates me with all his heart. Our marriage lasts for more than 20 years, filled with nothing but indifference and humiliation. On the day I finally succumb to my illness, Dario doesn't even come to see me. He only sends someone to deliver a single message. "Vera, stay the hell away from me in your next life." … When I open my eyes again, I'm back at the exact moment I receive the spiked champagne. Before I can even react, Dario snatches the glass from my hand and smashes it against the floor. I look at the way he gazes at Arianna, and suddenly, I understand. He has been reborn as well. In front of both our parents, he takes Arianna's hand and announces, "Arianna and I are getting married this month. As for Vera… she can fulfill the arranged marriage instead." Memories of my death flash through my mind. This time, I'll give him exactly what he wants. "Fine. I agree." Chapter 1 After the banquet ended, Madre found me standing alone in a corner, tears glistening in her eyes. "Vera, I know you're a good girl." I didn't answer. Instead, I remembered how, in the final moments of my previous life, Madre had received the news of my condition and still couldn't be bothered to come see me one last time. My gaze fell on my younger sister, Arianna Valenti, as she walked over with Dario Lancieri. "I'm sorry, Vera," she said. "This is all my fault…" When I was born, our family had been ambushed. My parents had grabbed Arianna and fled, leaving me forgotten in the car. The rival faction had found me and taken me away, but they soon decided I was more trouble than I was worth and abandoned me by the roadside. A kind civilian had taken me in and raised me as her own. It wasn't until a few years ago that my family finally found me. If our family's power hadn't been declining and they hadn't needed a marriage alliance to secure their position, my parents probably would've forgotten they had another daughter at all. Arianna's hand flew to her mouth as she began to cry. Dario immediately pulled her into his arms. "Don't cry, tesoro," Dario said, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "This is what she deserves." Then he turned toward me, undisguised disgust evident in his eyes. "You agreed to this yourself, so don't go back on your word." Madre wiped away her tears, picked up a champagne glass, and walked over. "This is certainly something worth celebrating," she said. "Arianna is finally getting what she's always wanted." Papa turned to Dario and started discussing the wedding date. Then he glanced at me, who had remained silent the entire time, and smiled. "Since Arianna's wedding is happening this month, why don't we have Vera's wedding on the same day?" The satisfaction on Madre's face told me exactly how much she liked the idea. Still, with all the guests watching, she put on a show of concern. "But wouldn't that be a little unfair to Vera?" Papa laughed. "Vera's future husband is the Bellini family's elderly Don," he said. "A man of that wealth and status? The sooner she marries him, the better. He'll give Vera a life other people can only dream of. "Vera, I couldn't be happier for you!" He said it with such enthusiasm, proudly proclaiming his love for his daughter. Seeing this, several guests nearby raised their glasses and came over to offer their congratulations. I heard the older members of the family and guests from the various factions whispering among themselves. "The Bellini family's elderly Don? He's a brutal man. Absolutely ruthless." "I heard he's nearly 60. Poor Vera," a guest muttered. "She only just came back to the family, and now she's being sacrificed for a marriage alliance." In my previous life, I would've slipped away to my room and cried where no one could see me. This time, I simply picked up another glass of champagne and took a slow sip. When the banquet ended, Dario and Arianna walked ahead while Papa and Madre walked beside them, discussing the wedding details. No one noticed me trailing behind. I watched Dario open the car door, crouch to straighten Arianna's dress, and help her get in. She lowered her head with a sweet smile and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Arianna, seeing how much Dario loves you makes us so happy for you," Papa said, patting Madre's hand as he leaned over to whisper something to Arianna. Just like in their previous life, they didn't notice the daughter who was always walking a few steps behind them. I looked down at my dress. The hem was far too long because it was Arianna's dress. Madre had told me that it would take time for a tailor to alter a dress, so for now, I could only borrow Arianna's gown. Everyone kept praising Arianna for being kind enough to lend me her dress, yet no one once asked whether I wanted to wear something meant for her. Dario was about to close the car door when he noticed me. "Vera," he said, walking over with a frown. "I know Don Bellini's much older than you, but his wealth and status are enough to give you a life most people could only dream of." He lowered his voice and continued, "Once it's all over, I'll make sure you have a way out." "Got it," I simply replied. He looked up at me, clearly surprised by my response. After all, the Vera he remembered would've argued with him until her voice was hoarse. After a long silence, Dario turned and walked away. Papa helped Madre into the car. Once they drove off, my phone buzzed with a message. "We forgot you weren't in the car. Get yourself a ride home." I'd grown used to being forgotten like this in my previous life. The moment I stepped through the front door, Arianna came rushing toward me, practically glowing with excitement. A sparkling diamond ring gleamed on her finger. "Vera! Dario just proposed to me," she squealed. "He said he was so grateful to God for bringing me into his life." She threw her arms around me. "Thank you for giving him to me, Vera!" I smiled at her, then returned to my room. Once the door closed behind me, I slowly shut my eyes. This time, I'd give them exactly what they wanted. I'd put everything back the way it was supposed to be. Chapter 2 A knock sounded at my door, and Arianna walked in, a jeweled crown resting on her head. She smiled and spun around in front of me, her skirt billowing gracefully around her. "Vera, look! Dario had this sent over. Doesn't it suit me perfectly?" "It's beautiful," I said with a nod. Outside the door, Madre smiled and waved Arianna over. "Arianna, the chefs made the cannoli you two like," she called out. Arianna smiled and walked over, carefully holding the crown in place as she leaned against Madre and snuggled closer to her. Madre pinched her nose affectionately before handing the plate to me. "Vera, why aren't you eating? Isn't this your favorite dessert?" Cannoli had always been Arianna's favorite. I'd always preferred apple pie, but Arianna thought apple pie was something only commoners ate and never let the chefs make it for me. In the five years since I'd returned to the family, I'd followed Arianna's preferences in everything. I ate the desserts she liked, drank the wine she preferred, and even wore the formal gowns she had picked through and discarded. "Actually, I prefer apple pie," I said. Madre frowned, displeasure flickering across her face. "Vera, you really should change your taste," she chided. "Cheap food like that has no place in a noble family like ours." She pushed the cake a little closer to Arianna and stroked her long, golden locks. "Vera, there's something I need to talk to you about," Papa said, walking over. I followed him into the room. He took out a piece of parchment bearing the family crest and handed it to me. "This is one of my estates. I'm giving it to you as a wedding gift," he said. "Even though this marriage is an alliance, you still represent our family's influence." I took it and glanced at the deed for a remote estate in the countryside. Arianna's wedding gown alone cost far more than this estate's worth. That wasn't even counting the jewelry Madre had given her—the entire collection Nonna had left behind. Everything Arianna owned was custom-made. Even the carpets had been specially designed and commissioned by Madre. Meanwhile, everything I owned was something Arianna had discarded. Even the room I lived in had once been a maid's quarters, hastily converted into a bedroom. The edges of the carpet were already curling up. "Madre, this jewelry's absolutely gorgeous with my dress!" I heard the delight in Arianna's voice, and memories of my wedding to Dario in my previous life came rushing back. Madre had blamed me for the marriage swap and hadn't even given me any jewelry. She'd only hired a tailor to make me a wedding dress—and even then, she'd given him Arianna's measurements by mistake. The hem was so long that I had to walk awkwardly, almost stumbling with every step just to keep from falling. As I stood before the priest and recited my vows, I heard members of the Lancieri family whispering among themselves. "Just as expected from a girl raised by commoners. She doesn't even have the most basic manners of a noblewoman." Dario didn't look at me at all. He simply rushed through his vows. This time, I'd sacrificed myself for the family alliance and become nothing more than a bargaining chip. They didn't even bother pretending anymore. … Early the next morning, the Bellini family's butler, Alberto Moretti, arrived with several men. When box after box of gowns and jewelry was carried inside, Papa's eyes widened. "All of this jewelry—and a limitless card, too? Is it all for Vera?" Alberto turned to me, removed his hat, and bowed respectfully. "Signorina Valenti, Don Bellini asked me to find out if you have any requests for the wedding. He will see that every one of them is fulfilled." I looked at him and shook my head. "Let's just follow the Bellini family's traditions." Alberto inclined his head again before turning to leave. Delighted, Madre circled the boxes several times and picked up a necklace, holding it against her neck. "I never realized the Bellini family was this wealthy," she said, glancing at me. "He may be older, but by marrying into their family, your fortune will only grow from here. "These jewels should stay in the family. You should give some to Arianna, too." Just like before, whenever something good came along, the first person Madre thought of was Arianna. Arianna's expression darkened. After all, even everything Madre and Dario had given her combined was worth less than this single shipment of jewelry. And yet I was marrying a 60-year-old man and receiving a fortune in gifts. … When Dario came over to discuss the wedding arrangements, Arianna was throwing a tantrum. "Even Vera gets all this jewelry just for marrying into the Bellini family. How could I possibly have less than she does?" Dario gently coaxed her, promising to send over another batch of jewelry of equal value before the wedding. Only then did Arianna smile again. I walked out of my room and passed them without sparing them a glance, but my indifference seemed to anger Dario. He strode after me and hissed, "Don't you think you can get smug just because you've received some jewelry. "I heard Don Bellini's a brutal man. You'd better not get too carried away or flaunt what you have. You might end up losing your life." I didn't even look up and merely hummed in response. Dario stared at me for several seconds, seemingly getting even more irritated. He grabbed his coat from the couch and stormed out, so angry that he didn't even hear Arianna calling after him. Chapter 3 With the wedding drawing near, Dario came to our house more and more often. Each time, he claimed he was there to bring gifts for Arianna, but every now and then, I felt his gaze linger on me. One day, he arrived carrying a box of freshly baked apple pie, still warm. He handed it to Arianna, but she pushed the box back. "I never eat cheap food like this." Dario froze for a moment before instinctively looking at me. The day before, he had passed by a bakery and remembered how, in his previous life, I would often stare at apple pies with longing. So before he knew it, he'd bought one. "Since Arianna doesn't want it, you can have it," Dario said. I glanced at the box he was holding out to me. "You can ask the maid to throw it in the food waste bin," I said, lifting my chin. With that, I turned and went upstairs without sparing Dario another glance. Dario stared at the box in his hands, wondering if he'd been out of his mind to go out of his way to buy something so beneath his. … The day before my wedding, Madre knocked on my door and handed me an old wedding dress that had already lost its luster. "The tailor's busy making Arianna's gowns and wedding dress," she explained. "He doesn't have time to take your measurements. "This is the wedding dress I wore when I married your Papa. It's a little old, but your future husband is already 60. It will do." I glanced at the dress. The pearls along the sleeves were coming loose, the hem was frayed, and dust had become embedded in the lace trim so deeply that I couldn't brush it away. "No need, Madre. I already have a dress." Madre hadn't expected me to refuse. Her expression darkened as she placed the dress on my bed. "You and Arianna are different," she said, frowning. "She's the pride of our family, and all the guests will have their eyes on her. But no one cares about your marriage. Stop being so picky!" With that, she turned and left. I quietly closed the door, then opened my wardrobe. Inside hung a pure white dress. Under the light, the satin shimmered like champagne in motion, its smooth fabric cinched elegantly at the waist, while delicate beadwork gathered around the neckline. Alberto had delivered it earlier that day. He'd told me it had been custom-made to my measurements. A knock sounded at the door again. I walked over and found Dario outside. "The wedding is tomorrow. Don't even think about causing trouble," he warned, awkwardly rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Arianna has suffered enough. But this time, she won't have to know what pain is ever again." I almost laughed at Dario's absurd claims. Arianna had grown up by Papa and Madre's side, received an excellent education, and become the most accomplished young lady in the family. I, on the other hand, had been left to fend for myself from childhood. I delivered pizzas, washed dishes, pulled weeds—I did every kind of work imaginable. Even after my family found me, they gave me the maid's room to live in and Arianna's unwanted clothes to wear. The other members of the Valenti family mocked me, saying I reeked of being a commoner. In my previous life, after I married Dario, everyone blamed me for Arianna's death. "If Arianna had married Dario instead, none of this would've happened!" Madre had cried out in front of all the guests at Arianna's funeral. In the end, when I was dying of illness, there wasn't a single person by my side. Dario seemed unaccustomed to my silence. "Where did you get that ugly dress?" he asked, his gaze falling on the open wardrobe behind me. "It belongs in the trash." "Are you planning to embarrass Arianna and yourself in front of all the guests with that thing?' I didn't want to waste another second arguing with him, so I slammed the door shut in his face. Staring at the closed door, he let out a cold snort before turning and walking away. Chapter 4 On the day of the wedding, there were no flowers at the entrance, and no red carpet. Papa and Madre kept urging me to hurry into the car, worried that any delay might offend the Bellini family. Arianna showed up in an extravagant wedding gown, a jeweled crown resting on her head. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she came over and took my hand. "Vera, I'll pray to God every day that you'll be happy." I pulled my hand away, not wanting to deal with her. Arianna froze, clearly not expecting that reaction. She turned and threw herself into Dario's arms, covering her face as she began to cry. "Is Vera blaming me because I'm not the one marrying into the Bellini family?" Dario gently kissed away the tears from her cheeks, then turned toward me with a frown. "You agreed to the marriage arrangement yourself. So why are you taking your anger out on Arianna?" I didn't respond. Instead, I looked down the road, where a convoy of Rolls-Royces had appeared in the distance. As one black car after another pulled up, the guests who had come for the wedding were stunned. They stared wide-eyed at one another, whispering among themselves. "Wasn't she supposed to be marrying some old man? How can they afford something this extravagant?" Papa and Madre were stunned as well. Arianna bit her lip, clutching Dario's hand tightly. Dario frowned as soon as he recognized the cars. A silver family crest was emblazoned on each door—the unmistakable emblem of the Bellini family. A bad feeling rose in his chest. Almost instinctively, he took two steps forward. The lead car rolled to a stop, and the driver got out and opened the door. A blond-haired man with piercing green eyes stepped out. His features were sharp and striking, his face chiseled and angular. His black suit accentuated his tall, imposing figure, and his presence was so commanding that no one dared meet his gaze. One by one, everyone lowered their heads and avoided his gaze. This was the Bellini family's new Don, Luca Bellini. Rumors claimed that Don Bellini had been bedridden by a serious illness and was on the verge of death, with the Bellini family on the brink of a change in leadership. Yet the man standing before them looked barely past 30. There wasn't the slightest sign of illness about him at all. Dario hurried forward, disbelief in his voice as he asked, "Don Bellini, what brings you here?"